The easiest way to change the entire look and feel of a room without breaking the bank is to update and review its lighting. Whether you are trying to create a homely atmosphere, a chic, fashionable space, a high-performance home theater, or a businesslike work area, choosing the right lighting will give you an affordable contemporary solution.
Industrial quality kitchen lighting
Modern kitchens, especially those in converted buildings or apartments in the industrial style, often suffer from a lack of natural light. Good lighting is vital for efficient kitchen use, and modeling lighting solutions on industrial, “working” kitchens can provide an answer.
Bringing the central lighting point down by using a dropped light fitting can provide an inexpensive means of highlighting work spaces, allowing you to cook in comfort and with increased safety. This type of fitting comes in a range of colors and designs, including retro pastels and bright modern shades to coordinate with your kitchen. Focus lights near the cooker or other important work surfaces are also key to a modern, functional look, though careful consideration needs to be given to switches and sockets in the work area. Paying a little extra for a fully wired-in solution will reduce clutter and emphasize the sleek, clean lines that are desirable in a modern kitchen.
Retro and relaxing study lighting
Lighting in a study needs to be carefully balanced between comfort and efficiency. Updating your office space and promoting your health and comfort is particularly easy with the wide range of focused lighting that is now available.
A very popular option for this at the moment involves adding key spots in the form of retro anglepoise, swing arm or bankers lamps, which are perfect for highlighting specific working spaces. More diffuse lighting throughout the room can be provided by discrete flush ceiling fittings, ideal for unobtrusive illumination whether you are meeting with clients, or spending some time catching up with your hobbies.
Lighting up the living room
The living room should be the center of the home, and it is important that it is a welcoming and comfortable space. One way to achieve this warmth is by investing in a modern take on the classic uplighter shade. This type of shade diffuses the light, smoothing harsh edges and producing a much warmer effect. By choosing this type of lighting in neutral shades (currently very much in fashion), you will be able to produce a fresh and clean, yet still cozy and welcoming, effect whatever your décor. Uplighters are available in both ceiling rose fitting and standard lamp form, making it easy to update your room.
As with so many fashions, lighting trends vary widely. Your own needs and designs are key to successfully incorporating the best new pieces usefully into your lifestyle. Feature and spot lights are now easier than ever to incorporate into your décor and, with the advent of improved energy-efficient bulbs and custom lighting controls, are also cheaper and safer to run, making updating your home’s look as easy as the flick of a switch.
About the author: The author is a fan of contemporary furniture and has written extensively about lighting, design and other aspects of contemporary living.
