How to use creative lighting techniques as a design element

You do not have to spend a lot of money or have expert knowledge to choose the right creative lighting techniques for your home.  All you need to know are the fundamentals of decorative lighting and where to find the right hardware.  Lighting design for homes is divided into three categories which are:

• Illumination/general lighting
• Accent lighting
• Task lighting

When all the above factors are combined together, you can be sure to come up with a creative lighting system for your home. It is important to note that decorative lighting is able to set the mood and creating a favorable ambience. Flat or functional light such as what you find in offices often has harsh intensity which keeps people constantly on alert while decorative lighting highlights silhouettes of people and objects hence creating a great atmosphere. Decorative lighting varies in terms of light intensity for instance sleeping areas normally have dim lighting while playrooms are supposed to have bright lights.

Decorative light fixtures can also be used as focal points for instance a fancy chandelier or pendant light can be a great focal point for a dining room. When creating a lighting scheme you will need to know exactly what activities take place in different areas and structure the lighting systems accordingly.

• General lighting

This kind of lighting is required for visibility purposes as well as for safety.  The light is meant to reach all areas of the room. Examples of general lighting options include:

• Up lights –these cast lights upward towards the ceiling
• Down lights – they illuminate downward from walls or ceilings
• Subsidiary lights – these light sources include floor lamps, table lamps

• Task Lighting

This kind of lighting is meant to illuminate specific areas where more intense light is required.  Task lighting is usually about three times more intense than general lighting.  However, task lighting should be used along with general lighting in order to avoid eye strain.

• Accent lighting

This lighting technique is meant to make objects shimmer.  This means that you can easily make your paintings, sculptures or any other fixtures to stand out by illuminating them with a light bulb that is about three times the wattage of the general lighting bulbs. However, the lighting fixture should be well positioned out of the viewer’s line of sight in order to avoid reflective glares.