How To Layer Lighting For A Multi-Functional Room: A Guide

When an experienced interior designer begins decorating a room, the first thing they think about is lighting. Whether it’s artificial or natural light, the lighting in the rooms you are decorating needs to complement what’s in the room.

Unless you are an interior designer it is unlikely you’ll know how to layer or use light to accentuate your designs. You don’t need to be anymore though, thanks to articles like this one. In this post, you will learn how to layer lighting for a multi-functional room. Keep reading to find out more.

Consider Outdoor Lighting

Natural light is something you always need to think about when you are decorating. Unfortunately, some houses don’t get a lot of it, though. If your house doesn’t get a lot of natural light, then you may want to invest in outdoor light fixtures. It isn’t hard to find lamps for outdoor use as they are widely available online. If you plan on investing in lighting of this kind, then make sure that you buy the highest quality ones that you can. By investing in high-quality lights, you’ll save yourself money long-term as you won’t have to replace them.

Before you go ahead and purchase outdoor lights for your house, make sure that they aren’t going to intrude on the comfort of your neighbors. If you are buying a bright LED light and plan on leaving it on overnight, make sure none of the bedrooms are facing the light. If you fit lights that disturb people, then they can involve lawyers and ask you to take them down. Additionally, if found guilty in court, the court could award your neighbors a settlement for the stress that your lights have caused them as well as legal fees.

Using Indoor Lamps

Outdoor lamps are a great way to improve the appearance of your home. However, outdoor lamps are only useful when it is dark outside. Indoor lamps can be used when it is dark or bright outside. This is because all you have to do is to shut the curtains in order to make them useful. If you are planning on buying indoor lamps then you need to make sure that you buy ones that accentuate the current design of your home. Only you know how your home looks so it’s hard to advise upon which lamps might look best. When you are buying lamps try to buy ones that are made from solid materials like metal or wood. Avoid plastic ones unless you are buying outdoor lamps.

If you’re on a very tight budget and do not have enough money to buy brand-new lamps, then you will be pleased to know that you can purchase used lamps. Buying used lamps online is something that you can do quite safely as long as you make sure that the ones you buy have been electrically tested. You should never buy a lamp that has not been electrically tested as it could pose a health risk to you. The only time that you should ever consider buying a lamp that hasn’t been tested is if you are an electrician or if you have an electrician in the family that you can take the lamp to. Paying for a private electrical check could cost a lot of money and might cost more than your lamp’s worth.

Thinking About Design

Before you rush out and buy lamps for your house you need to make sure that you have developed a solid theme. Buying a lamp when you have not developed a theme is probably one of the worst things that you can do as your lamp will not match the rest of your home’s interior. Creating a theme in interior design is important. Without a theme, your house will look mismatched and chaotic. You do not have to be an expert interior designer to create a theme. With that being said, of course, if you do not feel comfortable creating themes for your home’s different rooms then you could always enlist the help of a professional. Hiring an interior designer doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are lots of independent designers trying to build names and reputations for themselves who offer their services for almost nothing.

If you do not have enough money to hire even an inexperienced interior designer, then one alternative is to consider signing up for an online design magazine. There are a multitude of design magazines you can sign up for. Make sure that the one you sign up for is one with a good reputation and good reviews. If you are planning on signing up for design magazines then bear in mind that some magazines are paid, meaning you have to pay to use them.

Considering Different Bulbs

If you plan on buying new lighting for your house then you may want to consider investing in amber bulbs. People who are buying lamps and light fixtures have a tendency to prioritize purchasing LED bulbs. Amber bulbs are a lot better and much safer for your eyes. Studies showed exposure to LED light could be very bad for people’s eye health. Amber bulbs are a little more expensive, but they also come with the added benefit of helping to induce sleep. Using these lights before bed could bring about natural feelings of tiredness and help your circadian rhythm.

If you are going to buy amber bulbs, then again, they can be expensive. If you are on a budget then you might want to try and purchase them on finance. Purchasing bulbs on finance can save you a lot of money. It is important to be noted that LED bulbs are fine for outdoor use. It is only when they are used in dim, indoor spaces that problems emerge. You can save money on amber bulbs by buying them in bulk. Purchasing them in bulk can save you tens of dollars (and perhaps even hundreds, depending on how many you buy).

Always give the lighting in your house serious consideration. If you are planning on buying lamps, read this first. Give special thought to the bulbs you use, as the use of LED bulbs can hurt your eyes. Amber bulbs are a much better option.