Life, Styled
Lighting is a crucial aspect of interior design; it significantly influences the mood in the home and alleviates eye strain when there is minimal natural light or when it gets dark. More often than not, a home suffers from insufficient lighting instead of overillumination. For seniors, lighting is even more critical, as the muscles in the eye weaken over time and the pupil size decreases, making it harder for light to enter. Better lighting reduces the chance of bumping or falling over an obstacle and lessens the strain on the eyes as you look around. Good lighting also helps create a comfortable and relaxing environment, exactly what you want for your well-deserved retirement. Let’s talk about how you can have the best lighting, what the benefits are, and which lighting choices are best for certain areas in the home.
Lighting Options For Seniors
It’s no secret that as we age, certain things no longer work as well as they used to, and our eyes are a key area of change. We depend on our sight for so much; it guides our path as we move from room to room, assists us in accomplishing most tasks, and provides us with balance as we move around. Poor lighting can hinder any of these things and even contribute to an increased number of falls. This is why your lighting selections matter in each area of the home. When choosing lighting for seniors, keep these things in mind:
- Glare-free shades
- Cooler lights
- Task lighting
- Dim control lighting
Knowing which lighting options are best for seniors ensures you get the best lighting that meets your needs. Light fixtures with opaque shades help disperse the light and prevent those harsh glares that can irritate the eyes. Warm and cool lights also play a role in how things are perceived in the home. For example, warm lights cause a more yellow hue and can make an area feel darker, while cooler lights shine brighter, making things easier to see. Task lighting is especially helpful in eliminating dark corners and shadows, which can occur in the kitchen between upper and lower cabinets, as well as in other areas such as the laundry room. These shadowy areas can cause a strain on the eyes, and installing specialized task lighting can create a safer, more comfortable environment for you to complete your everyday tasks. Lighting strips and table lamps are some good examples of task lighting. The brightness of a light is also important, and adding dimmer switches can provide the control you need throughout the day. Be sure to check the light switches while you are at it; a good switch is important too.
What Lighting Is Best For Areas In The Home
Different areas in the home will require different lighting choices, influenced by the amount of natural light in each room. Areas in the home that should be given extra thought on lighting needs include:
- Kitchen
- Living room
- Laundry room
- Home office
These areas are used more than any other area in the home and can cause eye strain and increase the risk of accidents if not properly lit. Kitchens are an essential area in the home where we spend a lot of time, and for seniors who are enjoying their retirement, they may even spend a little extra time there. The kitchen is also a place where shadows can accumulate due to upper cabinets and corners, making it difficult to see. Food prep can be made harder and strain the eyes when there is insufficient lighting. When designing your kitchen, be sure to include sufficient lighting, such as under-cabinet lighting, recessed lighting, and pendant lighting. This will chase away the shadows and provide balanced lighting for your eyes. The laundry room is a regularly used area in the home and should also receive proper consideration when selecting the lighting options there. When removing a stain or inspecting clothing for damage, poor lighting can hinder the task and make it harder. Areas of the home where you read or have screens, such as a computer or TV, should have sufficient lighting to reduce eye strain. As we grow older, this becomes a priority in the home. Living rooms and home offices need good lighting. Some great options for these areas include:
- Floor lamps
- Wall sconces
- Pendant lighting
- Recessed lighting
- Table lamps
Each of these choices works well together and adds warmth and depth to the home, making it a welcoming and inviting space for you and your guests. Choose enough lighting to eliminate or at least minimize the number of shadows in your room. You deserve a home that gives you the very best in every area.
The Benefits Of Good Lighting For Seniors
Investing in the right lighting for your home comes with a host of benefits, such as:
- Reduced risk of falling
- Less strain on the eyes
- The ability to accomplish tasks more easily
All of this matters and contributes to a home that is ready for you to safely age in place. Your eyes matter because they are a part of almost anything you do, and most of our activities are spent indoors. Natural light is recommended as much as possible, as it comes with its own host of benefits. However, it will shift throughout the day, leaving you with a need to supplement it. Whether it is cooking in the kitchen for yourself or with the grandchildren, pursuing a favorite hobby in the craft room, or reading a good book in your home office or living room, good lighting makes all the difference. If your home is beautiful but hinders you from doing your daily routine or the things you love, it is poorly designed and will only compound the problems later. A good home is both functional and beautiful, working together to provide you with a place you love to be every day. Good lighting focuses on providing you with everything you need to effortlessly transition into your golden years, allowing you to live your life to its fullest potential. By knowing exactly what lighting is perfect for each area in the home and which type of lighting is better suited for certain tasks, you can ensure that your newly renovated or updated space will provide optimal service for years to come.
Greenbrook DesignThe kitchen tends to be one of the busiest areas in the home, and over the last year, it has become more than just a place to cook food. It has evolved into a multifunctional space where everyone gathers to perform a wide range of tasks. With so much at stake, planning a renovation requires careful thought and well-designed plans. Many designers caution against following the latest trends, but there are a few additional design mistakes they also encourage their clients to avoid. If you are considering a renovation or a new construction project, here are our top five biggest kitchen design mistakes to avoid.
Countertops are often underappreciated and underrated in the design world. They are the true workhorses of any space, as they are used regularly and withstand a great deal. We chop, pound, knead, spill, and more all over these smooth surfaces, yet they continue to function day after day. Unfortunately, they are not meant to last forever. Experts recommend replacing them every 10 to 15 years, especially if signs of wear and tear are evident, such as stubborn stains, chips, or cracks.
Walker Woodworking Sometimes, certain areas of home decor have been influenced by trends that are no longer in style and can make the space feel dated or even uninviting. Rooms also serve a specific purpose, and those can change over time. If your children are no longer living with you, their bedroom can be transformed into a craft room or even a guest suite. There are also some new things that are making their way onto potential homebuyers’ lists. We have done some research for you and discovered some of the top new items being used in home design.
It is always fun to watch those home improvement shows. It is always a delight to watch designers come up with a plan that completely transforms the space from drab to fab. Often, after watching those shows, you have a tendency to look around your own home, wishing you could give it an update, but a renovation is not conceivable at the moment for one reason or another. The good news is that you don’t have to undergo a renovation to give your home a lift or freshen it up; sometimes it’s the little things —the details —that can completely revamp your space and make a big impact without breaking the bank. Discover six simple ways you can freshen up your home and even make it feel completely new without going through a renovation.
Here are some steps you can take to ensure your kitchen is healthy and ready for creating dishes that are not only delicious but also beneficial for your family’s health. We know that it is not always easy to stick with the decision to be healthier, but with a well-designed kitchen, it can be. With over twenty years of experience, our design team is well-versed in planning a kitchen design that functions well for your specific needs while also reflecting the style you will love. We serve more than 15 counties and invite you to visit our 5,000-square-foot showroom, where you can walk through multiple kitchen displays to get a feel for the possibilities that await you. Connect with us and let’s start planning a healthy kitchen design.
Greenbrook Design