“If the furniture arrangement sets the stage, the lighting makes the action,” says designer and teacher Marco Pasanella in his book Living in Style Without Losing Your Mind (Simon & Schuster, 2000). “One of the most powerful elements of any great design, the right light encourages activities to take place where the furniture says it should, whether it’s eating or sleeping, paying bills or playing Scrabble, watching TV or just each other. “The right light also determines how things feel. It can relax, invigorate, or just decorate," he continues.
Table Lamps vs. Overhead Lighting
Gentle light from various sources around a room creates a more comfortable atmosphere than one overhead bright light, which creates harsh shadows and a cold, police-interrogation-room feeling.
Light from a lamp on a desk where bills and work is performed, combined with light from a lamp on an end table that can illuminate a comfortable reading area and light from a small decorative lamp that throws interesting shadows on the wall, adding texture and interest, make for a livable space that is warmer than a room with an overhead light.
Consider the light in an office: bright, overhead greenish-tinted fluorescents. The lighting is designed to eliminate shadows and keep the mindset of those working there on their work. When opening the door to home after a day away, a softly-lit room can comfort and relax more effectively than a bright halogen blasted at a wall or ceiling.
Use Natural Lighting Where Possible
Without discussing the ancient art of feng shui, furniture, especially in the bedroom, should be placed according to natural light for the best effect.
- A bed should ideally face east, where the rays of the sun can wake sleepers naturally (at least at the weekend).
- A comfortable chair can be placed by a window full of daylight for an ideal reading nook.
- A dining table and chairs ideally should be placed in the West, where the evening light and sunset can be enjoyed.
Of course, furniture placement does depend on building design, but creative usage of space can help a homeowner make the most of natural light.
Shadows and Texture
Light, whether natural or from lamps placed carefully around a room, can create textures and patterns that make a room more interesting.
- If a home has patterned windows, consider using light to decorate walls, rather than artwork.
- If a room has many windows, consider putting mirrors, particularly a grouping of smaller mirrors, on a wall opposite to reflect the light and make the room seem larger.
Light is an important decorating element in a building, and how it is used can make the difference between a cold, uninviting room and a space that is an inviting, warm haven from the outside world.
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