7 steps to choose the right lighting for your home

When it comes to choosing lighting for your home, it is easy to look at what pieces appeal to you the most and just choose them. However, that may not always be the right way to do it. It is important to consider what your space needs and choose pieces that fit them, as it is easy to ruin any design with the wrong lighting. So, how do you go about choosing lighting? Here are some steps to follow.

1. Figure out your design style

What is the design style of your home? If you got it designed by an interior designer, you might already know the answer. If you don’t know the style your interior falls under, look into the various design styles and consider where it fits into. You could be having a home that is minimalist or scandinavian, with light colors and fewer items, or a style like bohemian with a wide variety of patterns and textures. If you feel your home is a mix of multiple styles that is unique, it could be eclectic. Knowing the design style helps you choose fixtures that fit well into the theme.

2. Look at the paint colors

If you have a room with dark walls, you may need more lights to achieve optimal lighting, compared to a lighter colored room. Lighter colors reflect more light, making the overall lighting required in such rooms limited. The finishes used on your walls and cabinets also play into this. Glossy finishes have an almost mirror-like effect, so if you have more glossy finishes in a room, you will need lesser light fixtures in the space.

3. Know the types of lighting

There are 4 different types of lighting for homes. Ambient or general lighting provides the main lighting which is spread throughout the space, while task lighting provides lighting for tasks such as reading and cooking. Accent lighting emphasises features or items like paintings and photos, and decorative lighting acts as decor or a focal point with interesting designs and styles. The ideal lighting solution would use a mix of these 4 types.

4. Identify the requirements

One of the essential steps in deciding lighting for your home is to identify what your lighting requirements are. To do this, look at how you use the various areas in your home. Your entryway or living room might just need a light fixture which acts as a focal point along with general lighting while the bedroom may need task lights that help you read or just relax and de-stress. Assessing what you need will simplify the process of choosing the lights.

5. Consider space and scale

Note the amount of space available before choosing lighting, especially with pendant lights and chandeliers. This requires that you know the height available as well. Another factor to also look at here is scale. For example, if you have a small table, the light should be on a similar scale as a large lighting fixture next to it will make the table look smaller than it is.

6. Look at the lighting style

The style of the lighting plays a role in how it looks in the space. Look for pieces that combine well with the design style of your home. Even in case of simpler lighting fixtures like recessed lights, it is important to look at the details like the trim as they not only determine the style of the piece, but also how much light falls into the room. Metallic and light finishes and reflective trims and styles are useful in darker areas, as they allow more light into the space.

7. Understand color temperature

The color temperature of a light controls whether the light is a cool or warm tone. Warmer colors like soft white and warm white are ideal for living areas and bedrooms as it helps you relax, while colors like cool white are useful in home offices and even kitchens as they keep you focused and alert.