Answered!
Hello everyone,
One of the key roles of lighting in an interior setting is probably functionality. There are many types of lights, and most likely the lighting one picks needs to suit a purpose, whether that’s to act as decoration, create an atmosphere, or simply provide ample brightness. Some of you might also pay particular attention to how energy hungry a lighting fixture is (being environmentally-conscious here).
Thinking about desks and other work areas, you might for example lean towards bright, task-specific lighting whereas in a cosy living room, you might explore more warm and atmospheric options … there’s a lot to consider!
How important is lighting to you?💡
What do you look for when choosing the right lighting for your home?
Feel free to share photos of your designs!
Quincy
Top Answer
I've a bit of a sucker for style over substance. For me, lighting should be beautiful as well as practical and sometimes I have to remind myself to focus a bit more on the latter!
I love chandeliers, and have them in almost every room of my house, even one one the bathrooms (you can just see a bit of it here) and yes, I have had this approved as legal for my electrical safety certificate.
In the living room, I have the most enormous chandelier. It's four foot high. When I bought it, the builders said, "You're not furnishing Buckingham Palace you know..." but with the high ceilings, I thought I could get away with it 🙂 On the ground floor, the ceilings are not very high, so apart from the chandeliers over the dining table (where no one is going to hit their head), I've had to go for flush lighting on the ceilings and wall lights.
On the practical side, I really think that a bedside lamp is an absolute must. Mine are quite pretty, but there are so many affordable options out there, I just don't understand any host that doesn't provide a bedside table and lamp.
On the less practical side, I also have some lights that are purely decorative. In one of the bedrooms, I have a cherry blossom light similar to the below trailing around the side of a mirror. It serves little purpose other than being pretty and I have added a couple of little (fake) birdies to the branches as the room has a little bit of a bird theme.
To me lighting is extremely important, from mood to functionality. Really good interior designers are sticklers for perfection in lightning. I.e. places should provide comfortable spots to read, where lighting allows it. I have 13 of these lights everywhere in my listing (2 per every bed). They also have USB port for recharging phone/notepad.
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Overhead lighting is notorious for being mood killers. Lately we been even adding slight color to our lightning in home, rental and even boats.
Solar. Today it is at 8 panels (1800w) + 12 Big Batteries (L16s).
Can run 20 LED lights + refrigerator + microwave + laptops, all except A/C (that requires generator).
The 2nd photo shows some of the colors we playing with; it is the 'colorful' tropics.
@Quincy
Very important. I ended up going with all LED. The overhead can lights are are dimmable, for living area, bedroom and bathroom. Guest all like different brightness and one of the details that I think contribute to very positive reviews.
The bedroom and couch have wall mounted old school lamps with articulating arms. The bedroom is so small that it works. Guest even mention how spacious it is in the reviews when its only 9 feet wide. Also beside the couch the same wall mounted lights with switch. A lot of guest turn one light off.
When I was renovating this I first purchased hanging chandelier type lighting that was 75% off but so glad I returned them all and went with the overhead can lights.
Used LED strips under the counters. They only came with the plug, and I wanted direct wiring. Funny story, as I was looking at them trying to configure a plug or if I could just cut the plug, I happened to ask the person next to me at Lowes and he was one of the stars from reality show Moonshiners. I was like, wait a minute, I recognize that voice! LOL..
Also outdoor lighting is important. I only have one light by the door but it works. Also guest suggested lighting for the drive so I added that. I don't really like outside lighting but they love it. Even that is tricky to get the right temp and not too bright, but there are a lot of options.
Oh my electric bill has gone down and was already very efficient. It was the exact same. The lights use almost no power, even though there are 23 total. The added insulation and ductless AC /heat actually reduced the energy consumption.
