Having the right lighting at room can make a big difference. We have a rundown of the most popular types of lighting for every room and its function.
Look around, do you only have fluorescent tubes or LED lights at home? If so, time to change up your look and incorporate more lighting options for your home. We get it, recessed lights are easy and they light up a room just fine. But at what cost? If you’re looking for ways to amp up your lighting at home, then today is your lucky day as we’ve come up with a simple guide to help you make the best decision for your home.
Living Room
As the central hub of the home, you want the space to have a great ambience so everyone feels welcome here. Opt for something warmer and more inviting to create the mood. Do note that the lighting that you choose has to be functional as well to accommodate for activities like movie, dinner and entertainment. Of course, natural light is preferred, but for those who don’t have the luxury, consider these artificial lights.
1. Ceiling fans with lights
Most ceiling fans these days come with a set of lights that can effectively light up your living room. Functional as it may, it can’t be used as the room’s sole light source of light or you’ll have a dim living room. But if you’re hosting a movie night at home, this should help set the mood.
2. Recessed lightings
One of the most common lightings out there, recessed lightings (or you can call it downlights) are installed in the ceiling. They’re popular because they don’t take up much space and they illuminate the entire room with just a few bulbs.
Depending on the inner baffle, recessed lighting can either reflect light – thus providing general lighting to the entire space; or they could direct light downward/sideways or highlight a three-dimensional object such as artwork, display cabinet or even your TV nook.
3. Floor lamp
If you have an expansive living space that oftentimes only require lighting for a specific area (like your reading corner), then floor lamps and tables lamps would be the go-to choice. These will bounce light off the ceiling and the wall to create a cosy atmosphere aside from helping you reduce energy and your monthly electricity bill.
Kitchen
It’s no doubt that the kitchen is the heart of the home for family and friends alike will gather here to dine and mingle. Therefore, this space should be equipped with both task and ambient lighting.
4. Task lighting
Task lighting is perfect for work surfaces as it provides focused lighting – interchangeable light fixtures are mounted on a track-device as shown below:
The biggest upside of task lighting is how flexible it can be. The adjustable heads allow you to set and adjust your lights exactly where you want them to fall, whether above the kitchen countertop, stove or sink.
5. Pendant lights
They are the light fixtures which usually hangs from the ceiling. If you have an island at the centre of your kitchen or a breakfast top, pendant lights are perfect to add a bit of extra flair to the kitchen.
Dining Room
The dining area is another important communal room at home. Sitting around the dining space and having a meal requires proper lighting. We suggest you go the extra mile and opt for warm lights and dimmers that can be adjusted to set the atmosphere to your liking!
6. Chandelier
If you’re looking for a spot to display your chandelier, don’t put it in the living room, install it in the dining room instead. Whether your choice is classic or modern chandelier pendant, they give the room a serious style upgrade. A note to consider when installing chandeliers: make sure the base is at least 30 – 35 inches away from the surface of the table.
7. Recessed lightings
While a chandelier is pretty to look at, it’s not going to do a good job at illuminating the space. Consider installing recessed lighting instead. Install these at the edges of the wall to act as a perimeter around the chandelier. Recessed lightings are added to brighten a space when needed and make for great additional lighting in all major rooms.
Bedroom
The bedroom should evoke a peaceful and calming ambience. After all, it is a sanctuary for you to relax and unwind. We suggest going for subtle and warm lighting for the bedroom, as bright, white lights can hinder sleep.
8. Wall lights
Also known as accent lighting, these wall lightings can light up specific areas of your space and provide just the right amount of lighting you require.
9. Ceiling lights
Just as with the living room, fans that are equipped with lights do double duty and can act as general lighting for the bedroom. A plus point is that many of these dual-purpose fans come with lights that offer various settings, making it easier to set the mood.
10. Recessed lightings
You cannot go wrong with this form of lighting but make sure to stick to warm lighting for the bedroom.
Bathroom
The bathroom is the space where you spend most of your alone time to get ready in the morning, style your hair, and try on a hundred outfits before heading out. Thus, this room should be the brightest of all.
11. Recessed lightings
When it comes to the bathroom, the brighter the better, so recessed lights fit perfectly into this space. Opt for bright yet non-heating bulbs in this space. With the definite use of hot showers, the room is already prone to increased temperatures and humidity, so avoid incandescent bulbs which gives off considerable heat.
12. Track lights
The vanity space is where the magic happens, so track lights are perfect for illuminating your face and self when grooming.
Office
The office or study room is where you need functional lighting that will help with productivity while reducing eye strain and mental fatigue. This work area requires task lighting that focuses light on specific areas to help you get work done.
13. Table lamps
Table or floor lamps are the ideal lighting system for this room. Their flexible mobility also means you can place them wherever you need at any given time.
14. Recessed lightings
If you want the entire room to be well lit, recessed lights will do the trick. They will illuminate the entire space without causing eye strain as the bulbs are tucked into the ceiling and light is dispersed equally.
This article was originally published as The Guide to Perfect Lighting for Every Room in Your Home by atap.co and is written by Lydia Lohshini|Edited by Reena Kaur Bhatt