The interior lighting of any home space contributes hugely tothe atmosphere within that space and therefore to your moodwhilst you inhabit that space. Every area of your living spaceneeds a mixture of lighting styles, different ones for tasklighting, background lighting and ambient lighting. Every roomthat has a theme applied to it or a particular task performed init will need as much thought put into the lighting of the roomas goes into the dcor, furniture and appliances within thatroom.

The traditional lighting of a room, a pendant and bulb from theceiling and a wall switch is fast becoming a thing of the past.Whilst wall switches still remain in the majority of rooms manyhave been replaced by a dimmer switch, automatic movementsensing switch, or daylight detection systems that turn lightson automatically as dusk approaches.

Thought for the environment has also influenced many people toreplace their old tungsten light bulb for a modern minifluorescent that consumes approximately 15% of the energy forthe same light output.

Halogen lighting is on the increase. Popular in kitchens andoffices where more directional light is required it can also beused to highlight a painting or sculpture. It gives a brighter,crisper light than the traditional tungsten light bulb andhighlights features far more clearly.

When completing the design for a room it may be beneficial toinclude some form of lighting display. Not complex pyrotechnicsbut a simple fibre optic lamp or a tried and trusted favouritesuch as a lava lamp, now found far more commonly as they make acome back into fashion after their hey-day in the 1960's. Not toeveryone's taste but the lighting of an aquarium can make aninteresting talking point within a

room where social gatheringsare held. It provides for the practical needs of the inhabitantsof the aquarium whilst also providing a focal point for theroom. It is also a starting point for conversation and providesambient light within the room. There is the proven relationalbenefit of unwinding in front of a suitably lit aquarium.

Never forget that natural light is the most precious form oflight that comes into your house. It can be enhanced using glassornaments and reflected around using mirrors. The coverings thatyou use at your windows can affect the amount of natural lightthat is available. Blinds can help protect from direct sunlightbut still reflect light into a room whilst curtains should betied back away from windows to allow as much light as possibleto enter the room. A more traditional form of lighting is thecandle. It can be used on special occasions over a romantic mealto complete the atmosphere in a room or a scented candle can beused to disguise unwelcome odours from pets, smokers and othersources. Some older antique lighting fixtures can be given a newlease of life by having them converted to use candle effectbulbs that appear to flicker in the same way that the originalcandles would have but do not bring with them the problem oflighting many candles and replacing them on a regular basis.

However you decide to light your home ensure that you plan itout properly before you do it and always use a competent personwhen carrying out alterations to lighting and electricity supply.



About the author:

Karen Hughes is an interior decor consultant, get furtherlighting ideas at Lighting Capital thisis your first stop for information about lighting.