|
RISING WOMEN EXPERT
ADVICE...
The winter season is so cold and dark! I want my home to feel brighter
and cozier, an appealing place to be on cold winter nights. Suggestions?
Combat the gloominess of winter by taking a look at the lighting in your
home. Lighting has the ability to dramatically alter the mood of a room.
You’ll want a mix of ambient, task, accent and decorative lighting to create
a warm and comforting atmosphere in your home this winter.
Ambient lighting is the general lighting that comes from natural light,
overhead fixtures, floor lamps, recessed pot lighting, etc. Since there is
not much natural light contributing to the mix this time of year, you will
want to look at supplementing with artificial sources. In the living room,
for example, you may want to add a floor lamp or wall sconces that will
direct more light upwards toward the ceiling where it will reflect around,
improving the overall light in the room. Installing dimmer switches gives
you flexibility to control the amount of light depending on your needs (and
mood) throughout the day, and at all times of the year.
Task lighting illuminates a specific area for a specific purpose. If you are
spending a lot of time in your home office, for example, make sure your
lighting fills the whole desk area. Proper task lighting that doesn’t cast a
shadow or a glare is essential to avoiding eye strain. It also helps to
banish those shadows that make the space feel dark and cold.
Accent lighting creates a focus on a particular area or object. If you have
a piece of framed artwork, consider making it a focal point by directing a
track light over it, or attaching a picture light to the frame. Brighten up
a dark corner behind a tree or plant stand by using a floor spotlight to
light it from behind.
Decorative lighting creates mood by adding soft, low-level lighting. Candle
sconces in a dining room make beautiful accents and cast a soft warming
glow. Low-wattage table lamps are a great addition in a TV room. They
provide enough background light to reduce eye strain and for you to see your
popcorn while watching your movies, but won’t cast a distracting glare on
the screen.
Assess your current lighting to ensure that what you have is adequate and
appropriate for the room’s purpose. Simple changes or additions will have a
dramatic affect on the overall mood of your home.
By Vicky Blaine of Inner Space Home Styling. |
