by Liana Vasilescu, Photo: Shutterstock
Light means
atmosphere. And the atmosphere is vital to the way we perceive a certain space,
how well we feel and how we can use it for the purposes it was intended. And
because each day of the life of each of us is made up of moments with different
rhythms and activities, it is obvious that the light of each of these moments
is different and should be treated differently.
The glamour
of an interior arrangement is finally given by good use of light. Space,
colors, furniture and decorations may be the most beautiful in the universe,
but if the light that falls on them is not the right one, the efforts are meaningless.
There are two
major issues of discussion: natural and artificial light. The first is
partially beyond our control, because it is related to geography, climate,
season and ... luck. It is scientifically proven that serotonin (hormone of
happiness) invades us five times faster in the sun; therefore we must take
advantage and increase natural light in our lives as much as possible: large
windows and mirrors, simple and open areas without corners and corridors.
Light is the
most powerful creative environment. Most of what we know about the world we
have learned and we have seen through our eyes. One of the first information we
learn in a physics class is that the way we see things depends on how they are
lit.
Each
activity has its light
When you
think of the way of lighting a room, the starting point should be the purpose
of that room. What activities will take place or may take place within a
reasonable time - obviously you cannot predict that at some point you would
like to have a giant puzzle on the floor, which would make a side lamp directed
on the middle of the floor essential.
Still, in a
living room you will know that you need a side lamp with the light directed to
the chair where you usually read, a chandelier suspended above the table (if
the dining area is in the living room) or a diffuse light for drinking a glass
of wine with friends in the evening.
Several
sources, several intensities
Repeat the
above phrase until you know it by heart. This should be your motto when you
start looking for the perfect light. Asingle light source will never cover all
the needs of a room - much less the classical source, the most common and yet
the most unsuccessful of all: - the pendulum chandelier, arbitrarily
positioned in the middle of the ceiling. Although it is provided in all
electrical projects probably because of a kind of inertia; this is light is
useful only when you have lost an earring or the cufflink of your shirt on the
carpet and you need all the possible lights. A good mix for a living room is
made out of wall lamps and two types of side lamps - decorative and
directional light - and ideally a spot system of lights embedded, even hidden
behind the furniture.
Wall lamps
They are a
good solution for hallways and for highlighting a textured wall, wallpaper,
plaster or even a print or a painting. The light is indirect and the height
should be a little above eye level, in order to perceive what is highlighted,
not the source of light.
Side lamps
and floor lamps
They
represent the easiest solution – here you’ll find the widest variety of models,
prices, textures etc. Floor lamps usually have a good place in the corners,
which they „open” , increasing the room visually both in space and height. For
the small and discrete side lamps the general rule is to be placed as close as
possible to the ground, because they build a sense of comfort, intimacy, while
the decorative design ones will „go up” on the coffee table (below the eye
level) or, vice versa, on the highest console, so the bulb (or place where the
light is strongly disturbing) to be above eye level when you sit down.
Reading
lamps
These include
also the desk lights whose light is sufficiently strong, focused and targeted.
You must have such a lamp on your desk and mandatory next to your chair, sofa
or your favorite place to read. Nothing is more tedious, unpleasant and even
unhealthy than trying to read at the light given by a pendulum chandelier or a
ceiling light.
Track
Lighting
They had
their moment of glory while ago, they were used without limits and transformed
any living room into a kind of lounge area. In reality, they should be used for
their utility and not for design - when you have a spectacular library with
details that deserve being highlighted along a wall or you can draw attention
to a gorgeous fireplace.
Interior
Design
One aspect
that should not be ignored. Sometimes a well-chosen light object can become the
focal point of a room. There are iconic pieces of design, but they should be
allowed to shine without interferences, which means that they have to be
treated more like a sculpture than a functional object.
From
subject to object...
If until now
we talked about the light objects themselves, we will move our attention to
the „recipient” of light: the area or object put under spotlight and the way
you do this to get the best effect.
We can
discuss some general rules, based mainly on textures of the objects that will
receive light. Furthermore, each of us knows what pieces of furniture,
decorations, paintings or simple areas we would like to highlight.
• a dark
object, in dark colors, absorbs a lot more light - consider a more powerful
bulb;
• a glossy /
polished surface reflects and enhances light - a simple led positioned on a
silver tea service almost turns it into a lighting object;
• the texture
of the lighted surface changes the angle of the light and projects it on walls
or ceiling with the same pattern.
Instead of
conclusion
Light and how
you use the space in which you live is more important than you thought before.
At the same time we are talking about side lamps, wall lamps, floor lamps,
chandeliers - about mobile items and generally reasonably sized. This means
that mistakes are not irreversible (when, for obscure reasons you build a
column in the middle of your living room, although even then there are
solutions) . It means you can experiment and, more importantly, that you can
give your home a fresh look just changing the height of a lamp. It is important
to take time to notice how you feel and to create exactly the right balance of
visibility and atmosphere for your personality.
