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Lighting can make or break your room scheme. Lighting can diminish minor
surface imperfections present on walls and ceilings when used carefully.
A hastily planned lighting scheme can have the opposite result accentuating
the same imperfections that you are trying to hide. For example, light
striking the surface of a wall at a low angle (such as side lighting
from surface mounted light fixtures) exaggerates surface imperfections.
In contrast, light striking the wall at more or less right angles minimises
surface imperfections. Harsh lighting can be minimised through carefully
planning your lighting requirements at the start of your project.
There are no right or wrong answers, but it pays to keep the following
in mind as you work through your lighting plan...
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Placement |
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Intensity |
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Quantity |
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Room size |
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Natural lighting |
To minimise the appearance of surface irregularities the following
is recommended:
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Recessed lighting in place of spotlights to avoid
creating hot spots on wall and ceiling surfaces; |
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Low wattage incandescent lighting is preferable to
bright halogen or fluorescent lighting; |
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Install variable control switches to enable lighting
to be adjusted to suit the various uses of each room. |
Wash lighting accentuates specific colours, making them appear richer.
Recessed lighting fixtures placed correctly will wash over a wall creating
dramatic light and shadow effects. Use spotlights sparingly. A spotlight
focussed on a fixed point on the surface creates a hot spot and distorts
the finish colour. Softer diffused lighting can be achieved through
the use of tinted glass, net curtains, blinds, well chosen lightshades
and soft tone lightbulbs.
Selecting lighting for areas of your home:
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