Setting the Mood

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There’s nothing nicer than a cosy evening in and choosing the right lighting can really help create the perfect mood, says HK Interiors’ Helen Kaufman.

MOOD LIGHTING can be tricky to get right, especially in dim areas of your home, but also in places which have lots of natural light. However when done correctly, the effect is more than worth the trouble, even if you’re not looking to invest heavily in it.

In fact, it’s possible to create the effect you desire in a cost effective manner through the use of some simple devices. There’s one key rule to remember: determine the mood you want to create in a room or on a particular occasion, and then work from there.

CANDLE PREFERENCE?

If you prefer a traditional look, not much can hold a candle to the… candle. Yes, the humble candle is perfect for romantic settings, giving off a beautiful soft light. Also, candles are often capable of giving off some sublime fragrances which add to the overall mood.

Tealights are a simple way to create some atmosphere as a table setting at a dinner or gathering. Plus, they’re cost-effective, and so easy to clean up once the party’s over. They can add a fun, fuss-free element to casual days too.

One very popular way to use a tealight is to pop it inside a Mason jar, and then have the beautiful glow light up the dinner table.

But if you want to string up a light next to say, your plants without those plants quickly heating up, the LED option might be the way to go.

Many LED fairy lights now come with a timer as well, so you needn’t worry about switching them off to conserve energy. If you want a year round festive feel to your home, a few of these lights should prove tobe a nice thing to buy.

5 LIGHTING TIPS FOR CREATING THE PERFECT AMBIENCE

Balancing lighting in your home can be an art. What works in one room, might not work well for another, but some careful illumination can tie a room together and help draw attention to your home’s best features.

Whether you’re moving into a new property or refreshing your interior design at home, here are five lighting tips to help you balance the functional with the beautiful.

Understand the different categories

When planning your lighting scheme, you need a blend of the five types of lighting: general, ambient, mood, accent and task. General lighting is that which provides uniform light across a space and is often entirely practical.

Ambient lighting is similar, but can be controlled to change the overall feel of a room, for example by dimming or brightening a space.

It’s often softer than general lighting and is frequently achieved with uplighters.Both general and ambient lighting cast shadows as they are often used to illuminate large spaces at once.

Mood lighting is more precise, allowing you to balance light and dark with carefully positioned table and freestanding lamps that are closer to eye level. Accent lighting is lighting which is designed to draw specific attention to a feature within a room.

For example, spotlights on bookshelves, artwork, photographs and ornaments are a great way to draw the eye without being overpowering.

Finally, task lighting is a light source designed to help an occupant with an activity, such as reading or applying cosmetics. Swing lamps and light sources near mirrors can help light these tasks while maintaining the overall ambience of a room.

Fit the room’s purpose

Every room in your home will require a combination of the types of lighting mentioned above and you should consider which types of lighting might be more applicable for some spaces than others.

For example, your kitchen may be very task-oriented. You may need to prepare food, select drinks and wipe surfaces so your general lighting should be clear and bright. Task lighting is common in kitchens with ceiling spotlights and wide hanging lamps over tables that can illuminate a large space at a time.

Alternatively, your lounge or living areas may need more flexible lighting arrangements, depending on whether you are using the space for relaxation or entertainment. Consider a mix of task and mood lighting to control layers of light across the room and dimmer switches to soften the light in the evening.

Make the most of natural light

Treasure your natural light sources. Consider how much artificial lighting you really need in south-facing rooms. Rather than investing in complex light fittings, think about how window blinds, shutters and curtains could help control the levels of light in a space.

Pick a focus feature with accent lighting

Used effectively, accent lighting can be an elegant addition to a room. Why hide all your treasures with poor lighting? Unearth the best features of your room, whether an alcove, bookshelf or ornament, with carefully targeted lamps and spotlights. Take particular time to experiment with lighting around artwork.

Avoid poor quality LEDs which cast a grey looking light and can minimise the impact of the artwork.

Choosing the right light bulbs

As well as their impact on your energy usage, different bulbs can restrict interior lighting. Be sure to check the correct wattage for any lighting fixture you buy, which is an indication of how much power it will use, not how bright it will be.

There are many styles and designs of light bulbs which will emit different types of light. For example, halogen bulbs emit a much whiter brighter light than fluorescent bulbs which use much less electricity.

Choose your bulbs carefully to produce the tone of lighting you want, while ensuring they are energy efficient.

If you want to start re-designing your interior, why don’t you visit our design studio for more inspiration?