Lighting design is a serious decision when it comes to creating the look of your home or office. From style to energy efficiency, there’s a lot to consider when choosing the light sources for your space. Whether you want to make your home look rustic or want your office space to look modern and contemporary, lighting design can go a long way to giving your environment the look and feel of your dreams.
When it comes to lighting design, there are a few things to keep in mind outside of which fixtures you’re going to buy at the hardware store. Stream Energy experts weighed in on a few things to keep in mind when choosing your lighting design.
Let’s jump right in.
The Benefits of Natural Light.
One of the best pieces of advice to consider, explains Stream Energy officials, is how you use natural light in your living or working space. Take advantage of it whenever possible. Using natural light throughout your home or office brings considerable benefits to your energy consumption and your overall health, believe it or not. In fact, natural light is a selling point for homes, offers major perks for office employees, and is a photographer’s best friend. Just think about how much better you feel when you experience the effects of a bright, sunny day instead of sitting in a dark space that’s lit up by fluorescent bulbs.
Not only does natural light create a great workplace environment when it comes to productivity, but pure sunlight also has several health benefits. Here are some of the most talked about health benefits of natural light:
- Sunlight boosts the skin’s absorption of vitamin D in the body. Nicknamed the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is a critical nutrient for humans that prevents bone loss and reduces the risk of heart disease, weight gain, and cancer.
- Natural light wards off seasonal depression. It can quickly change your mood, helping you avoid those winter blues.
- Natural light also improves sleep. Since mental health and rest go together, it’s no surprise that the more natural light you’re exposed to, the better you’ll sleep.
- It reduces health risks related to fluorescent lighting. While fluorescent lights are recognized as safe, overexposure can lead to an elevated stress response in the body. Using artificial light sources all day can increase your risk of migraines and eye strain as well.
Tips to Get More Natural Light in Your Space.
Ready to let the sun shine on your home or office environment? Here are some quick and easy tips to bring more natural light in, according to Stream Energy.
1. Use mirrors.
Even if you’re living or working space doesn’t have direct exposure to sunlight, mirrors can bounce light around the room and cast more brightness into your space. There are lots of options if you want to get creative with decorating and incorporate chic, stylish mirrors in your interior design.
2. Limit the use of curtains or drapes.
They look great, but they block the sun from your space. If you need them in your room to help you sleep better, make a habit of shutting them at night and opening them up when you wake.
3. Use colors wisely.
When it comes to selecting wall colors, choose ones with eye-catching and reflective effects. White is the most reflective color, but there are plenty of other options if you want to make things fun. Light-colored pastels, eggshell washes, off-whites, and bright yellows are great reflective colors. If it’s the dark floorboards that are making it difficult to brighten up your space, opt for a light-colored rug to brighten things up.
Four Lighting Design Tips From Stream Energy.
When it comes to interior design, lighting is everything. It plays a significant role in both the look of your space and how you feel when you’re in the room. A well-balanced design combines light placement, intensity, and color. Incorporating different types of lighting in your designs can help create an enjoyable space that’s loved not just by you but by your family and visitors as well.
While lighting is everything in design, it’s also everything when it comes to energy consumption. The type of fixtures you choose, the bulbs you use, and the amount of artificial light you need to brighten up your space can lead to high energy bills. This isn’t just a problem for your wallet, but it’s a problem for your environment too.
Keep these principles in mind when designing your indoor space:
1. Choose Quality Over Quantity.
Keep this in mind when it comes to the type of lighting you use and how you use it. You’ve probably heard the lecture before, but it’s important enough to repeat it. Choose LED light bulbs over incandescent bulbs. It won’t just save on energy consumption, but it also will require less lighting to brighten up your room. You should also consider where you’ll put your lights. Make sure you pick the places in your space where light is needed most.
2. Take Advantage of Dimmer Switches.
Dimmers aren’t just a great way to modernize the look of your light switches; they also extend the life of your light bulbs. That’s because dimmer switches reduce the flow of electricity, so you’re only using what you need. Dimming the lights is also a great way to control the feel of your environment. Stream Energy explains that it’s essential to be mindful of using dimmer switches. If you’re continually dimming high-illumination bulbs, you might want to consider switching to a bulb with lower wattage.
3. Get Timer Controls.
Between pre-set timers and smart lights, using timers helps save energy because the lights will only be on when you need them to be. You can set your lights to turn on at dusk and off at dawn. Smart devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home also allow you to customize your settings and use timers that work for your schedule.
4. Recessed vs. Pendant Lighting.
Finally, consider which type of lighting you’ll use. Recessed lighting is installed into a hollow opening in the ceiling. It shines as a broad floodlight. Pendant lighting, on the other hand, hangs from the ceiling by a chain or rod. Both are commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, and busy living spaces. When choosing which option works for you, think about how you want your light to operate. For example, multiple pendants are great for task lighting in kitchens. Talk to a lighting designer or electrician to find an option that works best for you.
The great news about lighting design is that today’s options provide the perfect mix of style and efficiency. You can pick lights that match the look and feel of your space and save on energy consumption as well. It’s truly the best of both worlds in today’s quest for reducing energy consumption.
