Last week we kicked off our series:
Lighting Interior Design Ideas: Lift Your Spirits with Light

This Week: Lighting Action #1:
Switch Your Switches
Our activities are changing at a fast moving rate these days! And lighting controls will create just the right atmosphere for any activity - enhancing everything we do and adding more enjoyment to our everyday lives!

• Entertaining a lot of people? Cocktails? Dinner?
• Having an intimate group of friends in?
• Watching a movie? TV? With kids? With your significant other?
• Working on homework or craft projects with the kids?
• Working on the computer? Business? Enjoyment?
• Curling up to read a good book? Relaxing? Exercising?
• Cooking up a storm? Caterer is cooking?
• Time for breakfast? Candlelight dinner?
• Shaving? Applying make-up? Relaxing in a bath?

 

• Change all switches to dimmer switches: create maximum flexibility for every function and mood! Simple and easy to do – you can hire an electrician or it can be a DIY project. Lutron (the industry standard for lighting controls) has wonderful colors now – everything from Hot Red to Turquoise to Stainless Steel - so you can definitely find one that is close to your wall color.

• Plug-in dimmers: Don’t forget, there are plug-in dimmers for lamps so you can make any lamp part of your dimming scenario.

• Radio Controlled Remotes: for the ultimate, you can install a lighting control system to create your very own dramatic visual environment.

Need Inspiration?
Here are some interior design ideas - examples of rooms with multiple switches creating all the needed flexibility for the activities in the space.

• Entry:
  Your first chance to make a great impression and set the tone for your home!

This entry, although small in square footage, soars in height and creates a wonderful opportunity for multiple lighting scenarios: a dramatic glass chandelier adds sparkle day and night, candlestick lamps on the French chest add another flavor, accent lights on two large works of art add drama and ambiance, an plant uplight under the floating stairs eliminates a dark corner, and more light flows through the leaded glass door where all visitors will feel welcome!

• Great Room:
  The larger and more multi-functional the space, the more important it is to have maximum flexibility with your lighting.

This large multi-functional room is ready for myriad activities! Accent lights on wall art and sculpture in corner, floor lamp and table lamp for task lighting, library lamp for ambiance, torchiere for overall light plus highlighting the art, wall sconces between doors, mini chandelier to highlight bar top, additional downlights for functional kitchen activity, wall washers over the cabinets, accent lights highlighting crystal in cabinets facing the dining area, plant light in the corner, multiple groupings of candles – everything on separate dimmer switches for maximum flexibility – this room is ready for a large party or an intimate get-together. The “surround” lighting in this room definitely gives it’s occupants a warm hug!

• Kitchen:
  Perfect example of a room where you will want maximum flexibility with your lighting: bright lights for cleaning - or mood lighting for entertaining or romantic gourmet cooking.

Lots of options for functional and mood lighting shown here: ceiling downlights for overall functional lighting, island chandelier for ambiance while adding functional light, bar top pendant lights add additional ambiance and functional light: spot on the hood adds an accent, under cabinet lights light the countertop. With all five of these lighting modes on their own dimmer switch, maximum flexibility is created!

• Bath:
  Another room where you will want to create different moods - depending on whether you are shaving, putting on makeup or relaxing in your spa-like soaking tub – or maybe you just need to wake up gently in the morning!

This beautiful spa-like master bath has multiple options for function and mood settings: mirror sconces over the vanities not only lend an aire of elegance and sparkle, but add to the side illumination so important for lighting your face for makeup or shaving, downlights over the vanity sinks assure plenty of light on the counters, additional downlights over the tub and in the shower specifically highlight those areas, a chandelier, out of view, adds additional ambiance and overall lighting, daylight, controlled by shutters, allows for a lot of flexibility – you may enjoy the view as desired and add sunlight to your bathing experience! Scented candles add the finishing touch.

Last week we kicked off our series:
Lighting Interior Design Ideas: Lift Your Spirits with Light

Next Week: Lighting Action #2:
Light Your  Life with Lamps and Lights

Please comment or send questions for more interior design ideas! Let me know how I can best help you with lighting solutions that will lift your spirits and create a positive impact in your life. Barbara@barbarakrai.com