With 2023 finally here and a new year started, perhaps now is the perfect time for a refresh of an oft forgotten element of decor; lighting and fixtures. Lighting is key in creating the ambience of a home and sometimes even the smallest of refreshes can completely change a space.
When looking to completely refresh a room's lighting, it’s important to have an understanding of the different kinds of lighting; Task lighting, an aptly named term for lighting that provides illumination for specific tasks, such as a light above the kitchen counter for cutting vegetables or washing dishes. Ambient lighting, which provides ambience and general illumination, such as the pot lights we commonly see in many homes. Accent or decorative lighting brings attention to certain areas or features, such as artwork, or serves as a focal point itself, such as a statement lamp.
For those who want a quick and simple refresh, try out different bulbs with the fixtures already in your home and experiment with warm and cool glows. Cool bulbs provide a whiter, “cleaner” look to a space and are often seen in more modern spaces whereas warm lights provide a more yellow, “cozier” illumination and are commonly used in homier spaces. If your home or space is more modern and uses more cool tones, such as greys and whites, try using cool bulbs to compliment that palette. On the other hand, if your home has more warm browns, beiges, and richer colours such as reds or yellows, try warm bulbs.
For those of us who are more ambitious, start off with a plan. Look at the spaces you want to add or detract from, think about spacing and the image or vibe you desire, and, most importantly, look at the more technical aspects; Look at the outlets you have and their locations, measure and figure out what sizes you need or are limited to, think about the height of your ceilings and those within the home, and take into account the use of the space. After you have that figured out, think about the style of the spaces and look for fixtures that not only suit that style, but also their purposes and your own tastes. Once you have all those details fleshed out, it’s time to hop on the web or jump in the car to look for pieces to make your home not only bright, but shining.