Today we continue our consideration of how to “Make a Fresh Start” in 2021. I have one more thought about how to make your space feel fresh, and it has to do with lighting.
Ask any home stager, merchandiser, architect, photographer, social media mogul, or model, and they will tell you that lighting matters. When it comes to our living spaces, we have a couple of needs to address:
1. General lighting
This lighting brightens a room and is best achieved by pot or “can” lights spread throughout a room’s ceiling, a central overhead light, or lighted ceiling fan.
2. Task lighting
This is focused lighting that shines in a specific area for the purpose of making a workspace efficient. Options here include desk lamps, reading lamps, pendants, and chandeliers.
3. Environmental or Atmospheric lighting
This type of lighting is soft and low wattage. The purpose of these lights is to create a pleasant atmosphere. Lighting in this category consists primarily of table lamps or lamps that sit on furniture or shelves. Dimmable lights can also warm a room. When you aren’t focused on a task, but simply want to sit and relax in a space, these are the lights that add ambiance.
Today’s challenge is to look at your space and consider where an addition or change in lighting is needed. Maybe a room is too dark, with a lonely lamp in the corner that is not bright enough. Or, the only lighting you have is overhead lighting shining so harshly into a room that it makes it difficult to watch TV.
Some lighting projects require the assistance of an electrician, while others may involve a trip to Home Goods. Make a list of all the changes you would like to make, and then prioritize what you will work on first.
Is there a room in your space whose lighting could use some tweaking?
This task is one that I wouldn’t have thought of, but still a necessary and fun one. So, now I have to take a look at the lighting in my home a bit better 😉
I hope you find a spot to add a bit of light that makes it even more pleasant!
I got a new desk lamp for Christmas and I am eager to get rid of the old lamp and try this new one. I know it will make a big difference. In general I like soft light and we have dimmer switches on all out overhead lights. They are a wonderful help as they give bright light when needed but it’s not always needed. I can also attest to the face that lighting makes a huge difference in putting on makeup and photography.
I hope your new desk lamp is a winner! I agree with you on soft light. I only enjoy bright lighting when it is for a specific task. Funny story: my son-in-law got me a mini “grow inside herb garden.” I finally set it up over the weekend. I started out with it in the kitchen, the but the light is so bright, I had to move it to the laundry room!
Well that depends. If you ask me, I always say brighter is better. If you ask Cassidy, he is a lighting whiz. He makes mood lighting everywhere. We even have lighting that flickers off like in the TARDIS. And everything is connected to Alexa and he changes the colors of the lights too. It’s all bizarre but that’s what it’s like to live with a hobbyist.
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My husband got all of our outside lights set up with someone he can run from an app. I think it is pretty fun!