Warm Country Lighting | A Guide to Decor

Lighting has got to be one of the most important elements of a room’s decor. It sets the mood, tone and style of the room, and can generate an entirely new atmosphere with the flick of a switch or a turn of the dimmer.

Switch from intimacy to excitement - or the other way around! Whichever way you find more fun!

There are essentially four types of lighting available to us as designers or redecorators…

Accent Lights - truly my favorite. Don’t leave their function just for show. They can endorn a treasure, antique or artwork. They work great in corners or nooks of any room.

Ambient Lighting - the big gun. This is the main lighting source for a room. I love putting dimmers on these so I can have lots of light when I need it or just a general wash of light overall, with the accent lighting turned on for effect.

Local Lighting - Lamps and pendants set about the room for specific activities such as reading, cooking, or game playing. These lights are a little tricky for the designer, who must know the family they’re working for well, to understand how each area of the room will be utilized. You’ll need to take into consideration a rooms focal point for this lighting type. Every room has a focal point. If there isn’t an architectural focal point or a main purpose to the room, you can add in the main interest through design. (By architectural I mean fireplaces, paintings or murals, a window with a spectacular view, etc.)

On a side note, creating focal points isn’t difficult.

Hang a gorgeous painting on the largest wall or an Oriental rug perhaps. An antique bookcase or wardrobe with an interesting shape or design in the woodwork also does wonders. If the room has a primary purpose - such as a family room - the television can be the focal point.

Natural Light - A designer’s dream or nightmare! Natural lighting flows into a room through windows and doors, and sometimes through open doorways from halls, skylights, or adjacent rooms. Easy to control with specialty curtains, blinds or even glass treatments. When you’re working with natural light you’ll need to be somewhat prepared for the changing seasons, times of the day, and different weather conditions.

A thorough analysis of the everyday activities of a room is highly recommended. You must know what the family will be doing and where they will be doing it when making lighting choices. Do not hesitate in using a complete range of the four types of lighting, as this creates the most versatile and interesting effects. Also keep in mind that lighting can alter the dimensions of a room, making it look smaller or bigger.

There are hundreds of ways to light a room. When deciding on the best lighting for any room make considerations based on both esthetics and function and you’ll find a finished room that is spectacular!

Here’s what I often plan for with lighting options during the design process, then I’ll mix it up when making final deliberations:

• Place a lamp behind every armchair, on every table, and in every corner of the room.
• Use an accent light to highlight a painting I want noticed.
• Be sure that the ambient lighting is adjustable.
• Don’t forget about accenting walls with up-lighting. Place them at floor level, in the nooks behind furniture or on lower shelves.

Adjust as necessary.