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Interior Lighting

Lighting is an important tool in your decorating arsenal. It creates the mood of the room, adding sophistication to the look and feel.

There are various types of light sources to consider and a “complete” room may have layers of different lighting. 

Whether you are thinking about new construction or remodeling, lighting can change how a room is viewed, combining style and visual interest. Lighting can make or break a design.

You should assess the type of lighting needed for each area with regards to your lifestyle. Higher light levels are needed for task areas and lower light levels are generally used in gathering areas.

Tip of the month:  Types of lighting and their benefits.

· Ambient lighting - (indirect lighting) is a hidden light source such as lighting placed behind patterned or frosted glass cabinet doors that gives off a warm and inviting glow. Used in bookcases and display cabinets for visual drama. Or placed on top of cabinets to dramatize ceiling heights or architectural details.

· Accent lighting - provides highlighting to an object or architectural feature and adds interest to a room. This type of lighting draws the eye to a given object by bathing it in significantly brighter light than the surrounding area. Halogen spotlights and opaquely shaded table lamps both provide accent lighting. Feature wall mounted artwork between a pair of sconces to make the entire area more visually stimulating. Recessed lighting  focuses a downward aim of light onto desired objects or against a textured wall surface, such as a stone fireplace, for a dramatic shadow effect. Mini-pendant lighting also can be used to add a splash of color to the room while adding a decorative feature.

· Decorative lighting – enhances a rooms décor and set's the tone for the space.   Chandeliers and pendants are perfect for creating a focal point and lighting a sitting area or other intimate space. Decorative lighting is ideal for use in dining areas, foyers, and bedrooms. Generally lower intensity light is used in these areas.

· Task lighting - highlights areas for daily activities, such as under cabinet lighting in the kitchen, desk and reading areas. These types of lights brighten the work surfaces, eliminating shadows that usually come from general (overhead) lighting, and providing higher levels of illumination needed for the task at hand.

· General (overhead) lighting – fills an area with smooth, even illumination, allowing    unencumbered movement in a room. Evenly spaced recessed down lighting works well in general illumination. Florescent light fixtures are one approach to brightly illuminate a large room. Flush mount and semi-flush mount fixtures can be used in smaller rooms,   depending on ceiling height. Evenly spaced recessed lighting also accomplishes general lighting.

· Natural light – can be some of the most important lighting in the home. Rooms can be arranged to take advantage of the position of the sun at different times of the day. However, it is also one of the least reliable forms of lighting, as it is affected by the seasons and weather, but natural light can produce affects that artificial light cannot.

The way you implement your lighting design affects the perception of the room. That is why it is important to consider the color of lighting. Using CFL's (compact florescent lights) can bring out colors and patterns much better than soft white traditional (incandescent) bulbs and save money at the same time. The color of CFL's are determined by the temperature at which the bulb operates and the brightness is determined by wattage. Measured in degrees Kelvin (K), the higher the temperature, the cooler the light, the warmer the temperature the warmer the light. When planning the lighting for rooms in your home, start with the floor plan and consider which rooms will have warm light, cool light and natural light.

· Warm light – used for entertaining or relaxation. This color range works well in most settings and enhances warmer colors like red, yellow and orange.

· Natural light – the perfect balance of warm and cool. Bulbs in this temperature zone give good color rendition, recommended in areas where tasks are done, such as kitchen and home office.

· Cool light – enhances cooler colors like blue, green and violet. The advantage of this light color is that it gives the biggest visual separation of objects: black becomes blacker, white becomes whiter. Ideal for utility rooms, garages and hobby rooms.

Below are some lighting examples to consider when designing.

 Combination of natural light, under cabinet lighting, interior cabinet lighting, skylights and general lighting (left). Halogen low-voltage recessed can down lights, with natural light (right).

Transition lighting from dining room to kitchen.       Inside cabinet lighting to create a focal point.

Let Grayson Family Homes provide you with solutions to your lighting needs by giving you    information on how to improve the function of your lighting in various areas of your home, whether new construction or re-modeling.  Our in-home designer can assist you with any questions you may have and help you design the lighting plan that fits your requirements.

Contact: Louie or Deborah Carter, Grayson Family Homes, 3391 Linger Longer Rd., Greensboro, GA 30642 (c)706-347-0424 or (c)706-453-6523.