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Lighting is an important element in both the functionality and aesthetics of your home. When done right, it can make a home more attractive and welcoming, but a shortage of lighting can make the space more difficult to use and less enjoyable overall.
Because lighting is such an important part of a home’s design and mood, improving it can make a dramatic difference to usability and comfort, so we’ve pulled together five easy tips and tricks to achieve this.
Before we begin, think about the exterior
Good home lighting starts outside. Exterior lights can now be powered by solar, charging during the day and lighting driveways, doorways, and exterior areas at night without cost. This adds to your home security and curb appeal while making your outdoor areas useable for longer periods.
Solar-powered lights improve your exterior lighting for a small cost, creating inviting entertaining areas for relaxing in the evenings. It’s always better to come home to a well-lit front door that turns on when you approach, thanks to motion-sensing lights. No more fumbling in the dark!
Our 5 simple tricks and tips to improve home lighting
Now let’s move inside and look at some easy ways to improve your home lighting. While this is an affordable investment, it doesn’t have to cost the earth to do! Here are our five simple tips and tricks:
Tip #1: Create a focal point
Start by choosing one light fixture that will be the focal point in a room. From there, build on this with smaller fixtures that are positioned in crucial spots throughout the room. Layering can be very effective from ceiling fixtures to table lamps, floor lamps, and track lighting. Check out these great chandelier ideas for a two-story foyer as an example.
Tip #2: Choose light fixtures that are the correct scale
When lighting a room, there is a gentle balance that must be achieved to ensure you do not over or under light the room. Adding layers of light under cabinets in a kitchen or to improve bathroom lighting can be very effective, and accent lights can help draw attention to certain objects or features without overdoing things.
This can be tricky to get right as every room is different, but even spacing with your light-producing elements is key here.
Tip #3: Replace old bulbs with energy-efficient options
Time to upgrade those energy-sapping bulbs and consider installing dimmer switches while you are at it. This is a great way to control light levels to suit the way you use each room for different times and events. If you are interested in doing this, aim for light fixtures with three-way bulbs in your outdoor storage rooms and other similar spots.
Tip #4: Update your light switches
While we are in an upgrading mood, look at your light switches and controls and see if they can be updated to utilize smart-home technology and wireless controls. This will allow you to control your lights from anywhere in the house or outside via your smartphone or a control device. You can also set “scenes” that automatically change your lighting based on a certain time of day or for any other reason that you choose.
Tip #5: Make use of natural light
Lighting is not only something to consider at night but also during the day. Do you have thick curtains blocking a lot of natural light in the home? Are your windows free and clear to let the light in? Move your desk closer to them and try to make use of the daylight for tasks that happen before the sun goes down.
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