First in a series of interior design ideas for lighting.
What is the single most important element in your living space? LIGHT!

LIGHT has the power to lift your spirits or drain your energy. More than any other single interior design element, LIGHT will impact you as you enter a space.

So I’ve created a series of lighting tips that I know you will enjoy! You’ll have fun in the coming months trying new interior design ideas with LIGHT that will give your interior new life and lift your spirits!

The ultimate goal is to have the LIGHT well balanced in the space – so keep in mind as you explore this series: Lighting Interior Design Ideas: Lift Your Spirits with Light, that your interior will be beautifully balanced with LIGHT when you take these action steps. So get ready to enjoy and explore all the ways to get your lighting in balance – and – make you feel totally comfortable in every room.

To get started, follow these steps:

STOP, FEEL, OBSERVE, ACT!

 STOP and FEEL

Walk into any room – STOP - then ask yourself how you FEEL in the space. Do you FEEL your energy soar or drain? Do you FEEL relaxed or fidgety? Do you FEEL open or closed in? Do you FEEL like you want to stay a while or leave as quickly as possible?

OBSERVE YOUR LIGHT SOURCES

Next OBSERVE the light SOURCES in the room. Is the light only coming from an overhead fixture? (Definitely the poorest placement of light.) Is the light coming from more than one source? (Always a good thing.) Are all the walls lit in some fashion? (Most important to feel comfortable in the space.) Are there various types of lights? (Everything from candles to accent lights?) Is there daylight? (Wonderful, but needs to be controlled to moderate the heat and light of the sun.)

OBSERVE YOUR LIGHT TYPES

Next OBSERVE the light TYPES in the room. Is the lighting warm or cool? (Many fluorescents and LEDs, although great energy savers, emit a cool/blue light.) Is the lighting too dim or too bright? (Most spaces are over lit.) Is there a way to create different moods? (Are there multiple switches and dimmers?)

I’m guessing that you have OBSERVED most rooms have plenty of light, but still don’t FEEL totally comfortable and don’t lift your spirits.  Most likely, you’ll find unbalanced lighting is the culprit – so let’s fix it.

TAKE ACTION!

So now, armed with what you have OBSERVED – it is time to ACT and get your lighting in balance! In this series you will find tips to create contrasts and an overall feeling of well-being that will lift your spirits by using multiple sources of light, multiple variations of light strength and making sure all walls have some form of light.

Next Week: Lighting Action #1: Switch Your Switches

Please write with your comments or questions for more interior design ideas. Just 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