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.
Walker Woodworking When space is limited, it is valuable and greater thought is invested in creating a design that maximizes square footage to provide a functional space for the homeowner. Both manufacturers and designers alike are continuously thinking of new ways to give their clients the things they need, but using less space. One such item is the Murphy bed, yes, the one used in multiple comedy routines, but it has evolved into a stylish piece, yet remains as functional as ever. It is also comparable in price point to a traditional bed. Could the Murphy bed be the solution to your limited space problem? Let’s unpack exactly what it is and how it can help give you additional room in your home.
Walker Woodworking What to do when you don’t have the luxury of square footage? How can you create storage when there is not a lot of room, to begin with? Can you make small spaces work for you? These are good questions that we have helped our clients answer numerous times. While it may present more challenges than a larger home, it is possible to have the necessary storage for you to keep everything you need on hand. Small is not bad; in fact, it comes with multiple benefits, and a good design can help you maximize the space you do have to build a home that is exactly right for you. Let’s talk about some creative storage solutions for small spaces.
Walker Woodworking We always say details matter, and that goes beyond a project. Your home is filled with details that tell your guests who you are and what matters to you. Artwork, pottery pieces, and furniture are just a few things that give homeowners a chance to show off their style. Another area is hosting, and tablescapes have become a beautiful, fun way to share your own unique design choices with family and friends. Whether it is for a small gathering to enjoy time with those you love or to celebrate a special occasion, there are many ways to create the perfect look. By combining different colors, patterns, or materials, you can create a tablescape that will dazzle your guests, whether you prefer an elaborate or simple design.
Greenbrook Design Window treatments have made an interesting journey through the years in interior design. From floor to ceiling and mere window length, they have travelled the full circle of style. Today, window treatments can come in a variety of forms and options, plus they do more than just block out the sun; they can finish the look of a room and add the necessary touch that brings out the homeowner’s personality. Windows are our connection to nature and are an essential part of the home, which means they deserve proper consideration and care. They are also an area of the room that naturally draws the eye of the homeowner and guest alike. Most of the time, however, windows tend to be overlooked.
Greenbrook Design There’s nothing quite like the warm weather and smell of blooming flowers that come with springtime. While you may have grown used to cozying up indoors during the colder months, now you can start spending more time tending to your garden, playing with your kids in the yard, and kicking back on the patio while enjoying the sun.
But in order to fully enjoy your time outside (and potentially save yourself from having to pay for expensive home repairs in the future), you will need to perform some basic home maintenance. To help you get started, here are some key areas to tackle this spring, brought to you by Greenbrook Design.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking