The Importance Of Good Lighting

The importance of good lighting cannot be stressed enough. Light is the physical phenomena that the human eye literally uses to see. Since vision is most human beings main capacity for exploring the world it is also what guests are going to use to judge a location. Any professional photographer will tell you that beautiful imagery is all about the proper lighting. This concept can be carried over to the art of interior design. The truth is that no one will be able to appreciate how beautifully decorated any room is if they cannot see it. Lighting makes the room appear larger and throws attractive shadows across the room. Too little light can make a place seem dreary and depressing or make people fall asleep. Good lighting can come from any source of light including lamps, candles, windows, mirrors and other devices.

Table Lamps

Table lamps and standing floor lamps are the preferred method of bringing in extra light into an environment. When the overhead lighting is too harsh and glaring, or if it is simply not enough, lamps provide an extra measure of comfort. Table lamps are available in traditional, modern and retro inspired models. Each one contributes to the style of the room while making more light by which to see. As is clearly indicated by the name "table lamp" a sturdy accent table is ideal for holding up lamps. But any flat surface close to an electrical socket will do including shelving units and fireplace ledges.  

Candle Holders

Before the invention of electricity candle holders were a much more integral part of living. Sources of light by flame like candle holders, torches, kerosene lanterns and fireplaces or campfires were one of the only ways to see at night or in a dark place. Nowadays we have electricity but candle holders are still appreciated for the soft and flattering light that they throw off. Simple votive candles are used in tandem for the tiny, twinkling lights they make. Hurricane lamps and metal candelabras are a traditional choice that reminds us of yesteryears.

Windows

Windows are the prescribed source of natural light in a room, unless you are lucky enough to have a huge skylight in the ceiling. Many people make the mistake of giving little or no thought to their window panes. When designing a room it is important to keep the location of the windows fixed prominently in your mind. In a temperate climate windows should provide heat and light when it is cold and shade when it is hot. In addition to an array of stylish window dressings keep in mind the cardinal direction which a window faces in relation to your relative location on the map.

Mirrors

Many people do not think of mirrors as a source of light. The reflective property of mirrors makes them a boon to designers especially when they are working with a small space. Since a mirror reflects everything in front of it they automatically make the room appear twice as large. Play around with the reflectiveness of mirrors by placing them in front of a source of light. For example mirrors that are suspended directly across from windows will make it look like there are two windows. Lamps and candles that are arranged in front of a reflection can be seen by all 360 degrees.

Other Devices

There are other sources of light besides lamps, candles, windows and mirrors. Paper lanterns and strings of lights are hung from the ceiling or other high points where they provide a soft glow that inspires feelings of wonder and enchantment. Fire pits and campfires may not be legal everywhere but they do create a comforting source of light in the dead of night. When descending down a dark hallway, dungeon or cave you would want the flickering light of a torch to guide you. Even if you do not create the bioluminescence that some creatures do this can be replicated by neon lights.