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How to pick the right lighting for your space

August 24, 2014

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By Duncan Ward

Get it wrong and the whole look and feel of your space will fall short. Get it right and it can highlight the best of your space. What is this magical component that will be the make or break of your interior design? Lighting!

fractal

Lighting as a feature

When picking the right lighting for your space, the first thing you need to do is realise that standard down lights aren’t the only lighting choice. Use lighting at different heights and in different directions to create atmosphere and highlight design features in the space. If you have watched any design show on television or flicked through design magazines, you will see how important design feature lighting is in finishing a space. It will add not only a design focal point but the light set in the right position can reflect and highlight a space.

nordxl

Pendant lighting

Pendant lights are a great choice. These can be hung to create a light and shadow effect that brings ambience into the room. Lighting plays a dual role to interior design; the lights themselves are a feature and the light they shine brings a multitude of design aspects. They could bring a warming light to an otherwise cold and flat space or a romantic feel to a bedroom.

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The psychology of lighting

Lighting is proven to have a psychological effect on the way we interact and connect with the world. Think of light therapy or the feeling of natural light compared to harsh, cold fluorescent lights. Lighting elicits a mood and physical reaction. Thought needs to be put into lighting choices, whether it is a new build or a renovation.

universe

Lighting in your home

When planning your home’s lighting, keep these tips in mind:

  • Identify the uses of and activities that take place in each room (reading, food prep, laundry, work, etc.).
  • Identify the mood or atmosphere that you want to create.
  • Identify any design features you wish to highlight such as artwork or wall textures.
  • Identify areas with dark wall colours and finishes. These areas absorb more light than those with lighter finishes, so additional lighting may be required.

klec

Ambient, task and accent lighting

There are three types of lighting design: ambient, task and accent lighting. Well-designed lighting will include all three. Ambient lighting is for creating the general feel of a space; task lighting is for concentrated areas of use (such as LED strips above the bench top in the kitchen); and accent lighting is used to highlight artwork or architectural features. Combining all three types of lights will give greater functionality and interest to the room.

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Light distribution

Thought needs to be put into how the light is distributed from a light feature. Does it disperse enough light or too much light? What if the colour temperature of the bulbs it too warm or too cool for a space? Make sure you take the time to give thought to your lighting choices.

— Duncan Ward is the CEO of Satelight Design, an award-winning design studio, specialising in contemporary, interior and commercial lighting. 

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

“I wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"I’m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego – it allowed me to do things that I wouldn’t normally do.”

📷 @tanikablair_photography 

#interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #gemmapeanut #wedonthavetimeforthis #parentingpodcast #parentingpodcasts #holidayhousesofinstagram #cabaritabeach #airbnbstyle #airbnbstyling #colourandpattern #wallpapergoals #patternedtiles #featuretiles #poolgoals #sparkjoy #yocabacaba #boldinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulkitchen
Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys 💗 Me and my boys 💗
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner 💓😁
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting 🤣 Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help ❤️
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
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