There are a number of things you can do to change a house into a home: You can decorate it, paint it, fill it with plants, people, animals and happy memories. Sometimes, though, it’s difficult to identify the finer points of what makes a house a home and why. Here we will discuss one of the approaches you can use, lighting, and how exactly it can make an impact on your home. It’ll also help you choose the best way to light up your home and make it as cozy and happy as possible.
Make your lights welcoming
An awful experience is stumbling through a cold dark entryway into a house, feeling around the walls for a light switch. It can be a little bit frightening and it is very unwelcoming. To help get a cheerful ‘welcome home’ make sure there are light switches easily within reach so that you can light up your entryways the moment you enter. This can be done by lightswitch placement, or by just bringing a standing lamp into your entry hall and placing it by the door.
Alternatively, you could have automatic lighting. A great security light outside can welcome you up the path, or even some solar path lights. Once indoors you could be welcomed by programmed automatic sensor lights. Automatic lighting can be very comforting because it’s like your home is saying “Oh hi, you’re back, welcome home!”
Soften those lights
A lot of homes and apartments were built with money saving in mind, which means they were built with cheap bright fluorescent lights. These lights are harsh and provide no comfort or pleasant atmosphere.
Softer lighting is soothing, so purchase lamps, fairy lights, wall lights or any light you like with a softer bulb. Instead of having one harsh light you can have several softer ones that not only create warmer light but create ambiance throughout the house due to the different angles of light.
Separate areas with lighting
In big rooms or open plan living areas, lighting has this great ability to break down spaces. Instead of having a single bulb in the center of the room, try to bring in different lights throughout the room, and have them at different levels.
For example, have a pendant light hanging down over your dining table, a row of downlights over your kitchen bench, a standing lamp in your reading area, and some small lamps on end tables in your lounge as well as some wall lights.
This turns one big area into smaller cozy areas with their own purpose and personality.
Layering
Layering is a technique used in all forms of design – whether that be fashion, interior design, architecture or lighting design. The layering of lighting tends to bring an area to life. It makes a space less empty and draws your eye in many directions.
Ensure you layer your lighting. This means creating different types of lighting at all different levels. Don’t just have ceiling lights in a space or just have desk lamps.
They say variety is the spice of life, so bring some variety in your lighting. The great thing about variety is it can be a money saver. Seeing as you’re not looking for a matching set of lights, you’re free to grab anything you can find at thrift stores, and markets.
Lighting can be beautiful and cozy as well as cheap!
Personal Touch
The last step in making your house a home with lighting is making sure you’ve added your own personal touches. Lights can be like your home’s accessories. Don’t wear diamonds if you’re a sapphire person.
Luckily it is really easy to add your own personal touches when it comes to lighting. There are many lamps available with plain, cheap lampshades. Put in some time decorating the shades to suit your personal tastes.
Add some candles to the mix if you’re a fan of candles. They create beautiful lighting and fantastic ambiance, as well as a lovely scent and warmth.
Mirrors also help with lighting as they reflect the light. Again you have an opportunity to put in your personal touch when it comes to mirrors. Pick a creative shape, decorate the frame or even frame the mirror with lights.
There are so many ways to bring personality and warmth into your lighting and therefore into your home.
Author: Hunny Sharma
