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When it comes to decorating, furnishing, and the finer details of your home, sometimes lighting can get lost when artfully arranging and placing your most prized pieces.
It is not always considered on the priority list and can sometimes be left on the back burner.
As Anjelica Delfino, paint and interiors specialist at Valspar Paint, points out, it's only when a home has been lived in for some time that you understand the importance of lighting and how it can completely transform a space.
Fortunately, updating lighting doesn’t have to be an expensive or time-consuming endeavor, Delfino stresses. “A few small updates can dramatically transform a home, and there are plenty of ways to do it that are simple, effective, and timeless.”
Here she shares some top tips for all styles and aesthetics…
Directional decoration
“Lighting can have a huge impact on how color looks in a room, and as natural light changes throughout the day, so will the appearance of color.
“So before you decide on a colour scheme, check which way the room and windows face,” Delfino advises.
She says you'll have to paint according to how much light the room will receive, as it will look completely different depending on the sun.
“This is especially true not only when it comes to colours, but also when it comes to choosing shades, and it is very important to opt for warmer or cooler tones.”
Old school chandeliers
For those looking to embrace authenticity and real country living, Delfino suggests looking for a pair of statement chandeliers that can become the focal point of a large common room.
“This adds a touch of ambient lighting to the room and also completely changes the feel of the room with one simple change.
“Shop secondhand to find an authentically vintage chandelier.”
Create atmosphere
Perfect lighting isn't just about creating more light in a space or decorating with lamps – it's also about changing the mood of the room, says Delfino.
“To achieve a warm and welcoming feel, consider adding fairy lights and candles – this works particularly well in gardens and bathrooms.
“Be careful when placing colored lights in a bedroom or living room, as it can look quite juvenile,” she warns.
Depending on your budget and style, she says small, warm-toned wall sconces also work well, if string lighting isn't your thing.
Small spaces
When it comes to achieving the perfect lighting in a small space, the lighter the better, Delfino notes. “Lighter walls are reflective and create an airy, open environment, ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms or small offices.
“Soft whites and creams are the perfect paint palette to maximize space, and using lighter wall trim makes walls appear farther away, too.”
Incorporating light color tones also works well in smaller rooms and can help bring in natural light, she continues. “Add decorative lamps and several small lights, rather than one large light, to further enhance the space.”
Smoke and mirrors
Adding mirrors is also a great way to create the illusion of a larger, brighter space, notes Delfino.
“Mirrors reflect light and bounce it around the room to keep it bright, and reflecting light tricks the eye into seeing a larger space than it really is.
“Place mirrors of all shapes and sizes strategically based on where you need additional light, rather than just where you want to place a mirror.”
Lighting needs layers
As Delfino points out, the ideal light source for each room in the house is, in fact, three…
“Layering lighting in this way is one of the best tricks to achieving perfect lighting.
“It’s balanced, cohesive and gives homeowners a few lighting options depending on the mood or occasion.
“These lights can be added to highlight certain areas of the room or to draw attention away from other parts as well.”
Check the scale
“The important thing about lighting is that it doesn’t dominate the room, but rather complements it,” says Delfino.
“The rest of the decor should still be visible and enhanced by the room’s lighting.”
She continues: “Poor reflections and shadows can make a room design look totally different and uneven.”
Check the length, height and brightness of a light before adding it to the room's design, Delfino advises, and make sure, above all, that it is complementary.
