Light is a crucial, often underrated component of interior design. However, when designed correctly, light is the most crucial tool in interior design: it defines the atmosphere, volume, color, and scale of the space.
It’s no wonder that even the best-designed space seems to disappear without adequate lighting. Learning how lighting works is necessary to design a complete interior:
- Natural light is the most important lighting in the interior. Light changes throughout the day, animating the space. Morning light invigorates while evening light soothes. Good design works around natural lighting so that its effect is amplified. Color, furniture layout, and materials need to be considered as well.
- Artificial lighting can and should be used in multiple ways. Interior design typically uses several layers of light: ambient, task and accent. Ambient lighting provides basic illumination; task lighting focuses light on a specific area for reading or work. Accent lighting focuses light on a particular design or element to create atmosphere.
- Light has a profound emotional impact. Bright, cool lighting has a stimulating, focused quality while warmer, softer lighting is relaxing. The emotional impact of lighting should inform your choices of space, where focused, clear lighting is ideal in the workspace while relaxing, calming lighting is better for the bedroom.
- Light and shadow is part of the design. Light is not the only visual element in space. Shadows define depth and volume in a space and provide contrast. Without them, interior design can feel flat and lifeless. Interior design must consider both light and shadows to create the best effect.
- Lighting has an effect on the color scheme. Warm light creates a cozy, intimate quality; cool light feels more modern and energetic. Light colors should support one another to give a consistent, complete look to a space.
- Light can define the interior. Placement is crucial when selecting fixtures, be they sconces, overhead lights, recessed lighting or other devices. Lighting placement can highlight a room’s best features or zones. Strategic lighting can make the space seem larger and open or intimate and closed.
- Learn the language of light. Good lighting can create atmosphere; it creates visual and emotional impact. Light is as much a part of interior design as furniture, color or material. By understanding light, you move from simply decorating a space to designing one.