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 DesignMany of our clients come to us from an hour or more away, often from the greater Charlotte metro area. A common question we hear is, “Why make the drive to Shelby when there are design centers closer to home?” It’s a fair question—and one we completely understand. That’s why we’d like to share a few key reasons why we believe the experience, service, and value you’ll find at Greenbrook Design make the trip well worth it.
Walker WoodworkingThere are many elements that help assemble the perfect design for your space, such as color, texture, and pattern, but one, in particular, plays a key role in making a statement: the focal point. Without a focal point, a room can feel busy or even boring, as it lacks something that immediately draws the eye. This is one of the reasons it is essential to include a focal point in the design; however, given its critical role, sufficient thought should be given to placing it in the optimal location. How do you design the perfect focal point that stands out without overpowering everything else? How do you best use focal points in a room or design with it in mind? Let’s explore the answers to getting the most out of your focal point.
Greenbrook DesignThe sofa is often one of the first things we notice when entering the living room since it tends to be the largest object in the room. We love to stretch out to watch TV or curl up under a blanket to read a book. Sometimes it also ends up being the quick solution to an additional place to sleep when in a bind. Designers have verified that this is a key piece of furniture for the living room, making it a sizable investment when the time comes for it to be replaced. As it is so important to the design, it stands to reason that there should be some things considered before making your next purchase. What things, exactly, should you look for before finalizing your choice, and what makes a sofa perfect for your home? Read on to find out some helpful tips that can assist you in picking your next sofa.
Home is the place where everyone can fully relax and be themselves. It is the center for all of our main activities, but sometimes we need a space that caters to our specific needs, especially when it comes to husbands and wives. This is why his and her spaces were invented: to give each an area to call their own, tailored to function just for them. From bathrooms to bedrooms and even the home office, having something that functions for your unique lifestyle routine can make a big difference in how you accomplish your day-to-day tasks with minimal stress and maximum success. When designing for these spaces, what should you include? What areas matter most, and how do you create the perfect his and her space within the same square footage? Let’s answer those questions for multiple areas within your home.
Walker WoodworkingPersonal Expression Through Design. There is no denying the truth found in the statement, your home is your castle, and who doesn’t want a custom castle? Now, more than ever, there are items available to help you completely personalize your spaces to reflect your unique personality. There is freedom to break the traditional design rules of the past and express yourself in so many ways by combining what you love into something new. Every area of your home should tell guests your story; it should speak to them of the things that matter most to you. By selecting colors, textures, patterns, shapes, and art that accurately reflect your individual tastes, you can achieve that goal. Don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and share what matters to you. At its core, that is what design is about: using a combination of varying elements to tell your story to the world.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking