Being a Designer, I cannot stress the importance of lighting enough in any interior. Good lighting is such an integral part of the design process. I personally, take a lot of time to design my Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP) because I pay a lot of attention to what and how many lights I put in an interior. You may experiment a lot with hospitality and residentials projects using different types of fixtures, with commercial, I feel, not so much. A quick tip, I like to use 80% of the lights on the ceiling or walls and 20% would be movable light pieces like floor lamps or table lamps. I feel this is the perfect proportion to illuminate the space.

Having said that, I would discuss broadly the types of interior lighting and also would list some of the best fixtures and pieces available in the market right now. If you want to splurge on these, I have some high-end pieces from designers, if you want some very affordable ones, I will have those listed too. I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I loved to write it for you. Let me know, if you purchase any of the products that are listed below.

I will broadly explain 3 main lighting terms I use in my Designing which are Ceiling, Wall and Floor lighting.

CEILING LIGHTS

This is a very broad term and you can be very creative with it. Recessed ceiling lights, or overhead hanging ceiling fixtures like chandeliers and pendant lights can meet general lighting needs. General lighting can sometimes be the existing lighting or part of the new lighting design plan. Focus lighting as the name suggests are used to draw your attention to a particular detail/element in the room. They can be single or multiple that can run on a track called track lights. It is used in commercial spaces mostly but I like using it in some residential spaces too. Another way of bringing in light in the space are skylights.  Just in case you don’t know what they are, its literally windows on ceiling which can be openable or fixed. It is a great way to bring natural light into the room. Next comes accent lights, it can create a strong visual impact. If you have a custom made ceiling design, you can use cove lights to accentuate the levels or materials on it.

WALL LIGHTS

They are basically of two types, sconces and accent. A sconce is a type of light fixture affixed to a wall in such a way that it uses only the wall for support where the light is usually, but not always, directed upwards. It does not have a base on the ground. One way is to use wall sconces to cast light in certain directions or illuminate areas that may be tough to get light into. The type of sconce that you get will determine how much light is in a room. It will determine what bulb is used. So, it is very important to select the perfect design for a sconce. Again, use your creativity to put it anywhere in the room that would look good. Remember, Design doesn’t have a right or wrong. Second comes accent lights, they can be used to accentuate levels on a wall if you design it that way. They can be used in custom built cabinets along the wall or above the vanity mirror. Accurate combinations of lighting resources can completely change the experience and ambience of your home. Interior design professionals are available to assist you in developing a home lighting plan that will showcase your style and meet the function of each space.

FLOOR LIGHTS

Floor lights can be fixtures or movable. Floor lamps and table lamps are way to accessorise the room. Another fixture are recessed floor lights that we typically see outdoors but I like using it in the interiors because it amazingly transforms the space and sets the mood. There are led floor strips that you can use depending on your design.

It really depends on your design and creativity about how and where you want to use lighting in a space. I’d say don’t overdo or underdo it, use software’s like Google SketchUp or 3Ds Max to create 3D visualisation of spaces and decide what looks and feels best keeping in mind the functionality of a space.

If you like this blog and found it informative, please share it with friends and family. Leaving a comment about any feedback would be highly appreciated. I shall see you next time with another content.