Design Notes
The right light can do much more than just illuminate a room. It can create a more inviting atmosphere in the room and give the illusion of a larger space. When selecting lighting for your home, there are multiple factors to keep in mind, such as size, amount, and placement. Since it is an essential part of designing an area, we thought it would be helpful to share five key considerations when selecting your lighting.
Understanding Room Functionality
Begin your selection process by understanding what your needs are for the space. Will you be in there often? Is there a lot of natural light? What tasks will you be doing in the area? The answers to these questions will determine the specific lights needed to accommodate the space. For example:
- General areas such as entryways and mudrooms mainly require pendant lights, sconces, and chandelier lighting.
- Specific areas include home office and kitchens, which use targeted light or task lighting to brighten work areas like the desk and countertops.
Determine what your needs are before going to the store or meeting with your designer; this will help you know what lighting to look for specifically and save time.
Types Of Lighting
There are three main categories of lights:
- Ambient lighting: This is considered the main source of light in a room and can come from a ceiling fan light, overhead light, or possibly recessed lighting.
- Task lighting: This is targeted lighting that helps with a specific activity, like reading or your bathroom vanity. This can provide the extra light you need when putting on your makeup or doing some late-night reading.
- Accent lighting: This is more of a decorative lighting that adds a nice design touch to the space, such as bookcase lighting, which draws the eye into the room.
Each has a specific purpose, but can work together to create a layering effect for your space, such as table lamps that can be used if you are going to use one area of the room or want low light.
Lighting Placement
This can be a bit trickier since there are several factors involved, including the size of the room and furniture placement. Keep in mind that center is usually a good rule of thumb for most rooms, but if you choose to split your main light between several large fixtures, space them equally apart for a unified design. It is obvious and distracting when a chandelier is not centered over the dining room table or kitchen island. Read here for some more in-depth information on this point.
Lighting Size
One of the worst things to do when choosing a light fixture is to pick one that dwarfs the room or is so small that it is barely noticeable. The right size creates a complete design and makes the room feel inviting and functional. Measuring is key to this part of the process, and there are different measurements for different areas, such as:
- Kitchen islands require you to measure the island and then decide on how many lights you would like. It is recommended that each light be around 30 inches apart. Be sure to factor in the edge placement since the lights should stay within 6 inches of the end of the island.
- Dining room tables should have fixtures that are no more than ⅔ the size of the table.
Be sure to talk with your designer about sizing or go to a specialized store that can give you advice on a particular area in your home.
Styles Of Lighting
Many consider this the fun part of the selection process since this is where their personality can shine through. There are no hard and fast rules here. If you want multiple sizes and shapes, that is an option. We encourage you to only factor in the size available in the room, since too many different options can create a space that hinders productivity and function. Don’t forget that lights are more than just glass fixtures; beautiful choices of wood and metal are available, which complement a farmhouse or contemporary style. Talk to your designer and take time to browse lighting showrooms to see what’s available.
Greenbrook DesignHomes are a collection of things we love, and sometimes those things can come from places outside the traditional sources, such as your typical home furnishings stores. Increasingly, designers and homeowners alike are discovering the benefits of antique stores. These places, often thought of as the last stop for items no one else wanted, have become a popular shopping stop for those who want to have something unique in their home and enjoy the thrill of “treasure hunting”. More and more design styles are also embracing vintage finds, seeking to blend them together to create something special, such as the grand millennial and mid-century modern styles. Millennials are also enjoying the freedom to branch out in their design choices, creating a home that is customized to their own personality. Antique shopping can be a wonderful way to uncover those special touches that can make all the difference in your home, so let’s explore how to get started and what to do with all of the treasures you find.
Walker WoodworkingMore designers and contractors are incorporating this secondary space into the kitchen to gain square footage and have an area that works as an extension of the kitchen. Let’s dive deeper into what a butler pantry is and what the benefits are for you.
Walker WoodworkingThis is why we have created multiple door profile styles so that each of our clients can find the one that perfectly tells their story to everyone. At times, they are not able to pinpoint one that speaks to them, which is why we offer custom door styles as well. Several of our clients have opted for mullion cabinet doors, which always add a beautiful touch to their space.
Greenbrook DesignRecycling old styles with a modern twist is a phenomenal way to honor the past while creating the future. Nostalgia is a valuable part of the creative process, especially in designing homes, our little personal factory of memories. So, don’t be afraid to try out some of these forgotten interior design styles that are making a comeback. It’s nice to freshen up your whole concept and take a little walk through a time capsule. Let your creativity fly in the limbo of styles, and wonder what else will be new soon.
Walker WoodworkingWe all have an idea of what our dream home would look like, after all, that is what places like Houzz and Pinterest are for, right? You wish you could have those little personalized spaces and upscale feel in your home that makes it stand out from the ordinary. Sometimes we believe that the home we envision is far too luxurious for our budget, but that is not true. But with a little creative thinking, anything is possible! There are many ways to stretch a budget through good planning and a few helpful tricks that can give you the luxury you desire without breaking the bank. Let’s explore the various ways to achieve designing a luxury home on a budget and bring your dreams to life.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking