Lighting has a huge impact on how we feel in our homes. While every room has its own unique set of lighting considerations, from fixture placement to bulb brightness, don't let your home lighting fall flat with these common mistakes.
Getting the lighting right is something you should never underestimate. From your bedroom to the kitchen, making a few simple adjustments can help to create a balanced and harmonious environment in your home.
Need a helping hand? Take a look at the lighting mistakes you'll want to avoid:
1. Ditch overly bright, stark lighting
First things first: Identify which bulbs are casting bright, stark lighting. It's tempting to brighten dark spaces with white overhead lights, but this often makes a space feel too clinical. 'Cool-toned lighting can create a harsh environment,' says Ryan Terren, LifeHouse's Feng Shui consultant.
'Using bulbs with varying colour temperatures together in one room also risks creating an inconsistent ambience which will significantly disrupt the balance in your space and can feel confusing,' adds Marlena Kaminska ValueLights' designer. Instead, choose soft, diffused lighting from natural-coloured lampshades and warm-toned bulbs.
2. Avoid overhead lighting which can cast shadows and glares
There's a general feeling that the 'big light' is harsh, cold and simply far too bright for relaxing spaces like living rooms.
'Overhead recessed lighting is generally frowned upon when it comes to creating a well-balanced atmosphere,' says Marlena. 'Having any one fixture as your sole lighting source should be avoided as this can lead to an uneven spread of light, leaving you with shadowy corners and creating negative energy.'
Lighting layers are split into three: task, accent, and ambient. Each serves a different but equally important function. Not only can layering lighting allow certain spaces to serve multiple purposes, but it can also add texture and dimension to a space.
Try a combination of floor lamps, reading lamps and wall sconces to balance the space. And even though they are a popular choice, Ryan says you might want to 'watch out for pendant lights over worktops and eating areas that are set too high, as these can glare uncomfortably'.
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3. Mismatched bedroom lamps
The bedroom is one of the most important rooms for Feng Shui. 'If the Feng Shui isn't right, your bedroom might feel cluttered and stressful, impacting your sleep,' says Marlena.
'According to Feng Shui principles, you should always try to create an even balance on both sides of your bed. This applies to your table lamps' size, height, colour and brightness. So, if you only have one bedroom table lamp or mismatched bases and bulbs this can throw off the entire space.'
You want your bedroom to be a peaceful and inviting retreat. Ryan recommends 'hanging a pendant light in the middle of the room and identical bedside lights to throw soft diffused light,' across the space. This will, in essence, create a triangle of light to keep your room feeling balanced.
And if you have bright lights around your dressing area, 'this should be kept tidy and minimal,' to not be too distracting.
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