Discovering the Importance of Lighting in Home and Bedroom Interior Designs

What is the first thing you notice when walking into any space? Chances are, your answer is how well-lit the place is. One of the most important aspects of interior design is designing the perfect lighting system. Unfortunately, it is also the most neglected. It remains undeniable, though, that visual appeal is one of the most important elements of home and bedroom interior design. And this visual appeal depends a great deal on the availability of the right lighting. If you are still not sure why lighting requires special attention, imagine walking into a dimly lit art museum. So much of the beauty is lost without the ability to appreciate it. Your home décor is much the same.

Lighting Design

Most interior design experts these days prefer to work with a lighting designer or work as part of a team with a lighting expert. Now what does lighting design mean? There are two aspects to this – firstly, using the available natural light to bring out the best and secondly, retaining or enhancing the aesthetics of the room with artificial lighting when natural light is not available. It involves planning the placement, strength or potency, type, and style of lighting that will help bring out the best features of your home and add a new dimension to it.

What makes lighting design important?

One of the main reasons homeowners avoid hiring specialised services like lighting designers is cost. Buying a home is a major financial decision, and home interior design can add to the budget. Homeowners do not see the need to add to the expense. Now let us consider all the reasons why lighting deserves special attention while planning your home interiors –

• The design of most apartments and flats, the lack of space and the layout of most urban projects make it difficult for all parts of your home to receive natural light. This makes it important to support the interiors with lighting even during the day.
• Unplanned placement of lights and fixtures can be the greatest design mistake. They cast shadows in functional areas such as food prep counters, study or work tables, dressers etc.
• Planning lighting in terms of placement and types helps accentuate your home's best features and create a sense of balance. An accent wall or a central piece of artwork, for example, can only add to the beauty and elegance of your home when displayed in the right light.
• Lighting directly affects the mood and functionality of your home space. You want bright, focused lighting when the children sit down to study, but you will need subtle warm lighting when hosting a party or on a date night. Cool white light is preferred in the summers, while warm lighting makes for a comfortable winter evening.
• Light accents, votives, candles, lanterns, fairy lights, and chandeliers – these are all integral elements of interior design and can add a rich texture to your home.

Natural Lighting – Bringing Joy To Your Home

Sunlight, they say, is the best disinfectant. Scientific studies also tell us that natural light is also the best mood elevator and brings happiness and joy. Here are some ways to amplify the natural light in your home –

• Use a white, cream, or neutral colour scheme
• Use glasses, floor-length windows, and reflective surfaces creatively
• Sheer drapes and light upholstery help brighten up the room
• Keep the spaces light and clean without much clutter or décor items
• Stone, ceramic, marble, or light wood floors with a natural sheen help amplify the natural light in your home

All about Mood Lighting

Mood lights are the latest in lighting trends. Only this is much more than just a passing fancy; mood lights can be stylish and chic, sustainable and energy-saving, versatile and wonderful - all at once. What's more, is that mood lighting need not be expensive. In fact, there are several budget-friendly options that are perfect for Indian homes.

Mood lighting is perhaps the best way to instantly change the ambience of your home and give it a whole new makeover with the flip of a switch. From golden hours to overhead galaxies, neon party lights to moonlight effects - you can never run out of ambient light choices when it comes to mood lighting.

Lighting Art

Lighting art is much more than planning the right lighting for your artwork. It is creating art out of the creative use of lights. From the use of LED strips to a creative showpiece neon wall display that lights up in the most magnificent colours, there is much that can be done with the use of different lighting options available. If you like the idea of lighting art for your home, you may want to go with a more minimalistic living room or bedroom interior design and pick a pastel shade palette for maximum effect. The play of light and shadows is a beautiful option to explore, while others may prefer ceiling projectors for a stunning visual effect.