The importance of light in a design

We all know it when we feel it but it is sometimes hard to put our finger on it. Light. That warm glow in a kitchen, the drama of a hallway pendant or the soft ambient light from a lamp in a study. Getting lighting right is a real art and something that is not a consideration of the design of your home until the very last minute.

When designing a restaurant creating a vibe or feeling adds to the overall experience of that space and so why should our homes be any different? The answer is they shouldn’t be but lighting is often forgotten till the end of a project.

A good way to think about light and lighting design is how you want to feel in the space. How will you be using it. I think it is always preferable to use natural light where you can and understand the orientation of your design to capture this. Simple elements like window orientation, skylights and doors with glass panels can make such a difference to the light in your home.

There are also spaces in your home where you might want low or moody light. For example the bedroom or study. Choice of drapes, paint choice and lighting all come into play to create that moody atmosphere.

Lighting has changed significantly in the past few years with more options for both inside and outside the home. From strip lighting, solar and more. You only have to go into a lighting shop to see the range of options and it is easy to become overwhelmed. So think about the space and feeling you want to create in each room and the overall space and start from that place. It will help you make better lighting decisions.

Read also: Picking the right light.

Picking the right light?

Lighting is often the last part of a project that a client thinks about, however I am always designing to maximise the natural light. Lighting really has a functional and a ambient purpose and so it is worth consulting a lighting expert when designing your home. Picking the right lighting feature is dependant on function and personal tastes. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Pulling the design together. Sometimes the lighting is simple and understated and sometimes it is the key to pull the design together. Working with colour, shape and size a light is a chance to draw attention.

2. Frame a space - a lighting feature can frame a space, like a dining room or a reading nook.

3. Lights can be invisible - but still create drama. Track lighting or LED under a bench or staircase and can really set a mood in the evenings.

4. Colour and materials - are really a chance to show off your style, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms.