For many of us, home is a sanctuary of peace and relaxation. Hence, we spend a lot of time and money putting together a place that suits our recreation needs. While furniture and fittings play a big part in your home design, lighting up a room can largely affect the overall look and feel of your home. Good lighting will complement and complete the effect you are seeking, but it’s important to remember that bright lighting is not always good lighting.

Before picking out the latest design in floor lamps and ceiling lights, you should consider the functional aspect of the room. For multi-function rooms such as the living room, you may want to consider buying lights with a dimmer, which allows for higher light levels for reading or working, and lower light levels for relaxation.

Besides illuminating the room, light sources produce a secondary effect when they are reflected against a surface of colour. A wash of light over a brightly painted wall creates a focal point in the room and adds to the atmosphere while remaining functional. Incandescent bulbs help create a cosy atmosphere, while fluorescent lamps give a cooler and more efficient light for utility. Combining the effects can create a balanced illumination and help you achieve your desired effect.

Natural light is an often-neglected form of light – which actually plays a big part in your home lighting project. While natural light is largely dependent on structural design, such as the presence of large bay windows and balconies, you can also leverage on what you have and make the most of it.

Choose light coloured curtains that can be fully drawn when you need light, yet are thick enough to block out the glare on certain occasions. Windows that open outwards maximises the amount of light entering the room, and is a brighter option than sliding windows. The colour of your walls also affect the overall lighting in the room so choose fresh, pastel hues that reflect natural light for a bright, airy effect.
A balcony is a great source of natural light so keep it open and uncluttered. If possible, remove grilles to maximise light and enhance the flow of air into the room.