It's Time To Come Home ~ Lighting Part I
Staging has always interested me when it comes to selling a home. Years and years ago, when I was in the furniture business, I use to watch the "designer" stage the store. In doing this, he would take into account every little detail. Well, this is the same maticulous style that a home stager brings.
Kathy wrote the below article recently shedding some "light" on how lighting can affect the staging of a room. I thought the article was worthy of a reblog, so here it is.
If you would like to comment, you will have to do so on Kathy's original post as I have blocked off the comments.
Lighting can make or break a room, but many people don't give it a second thought. That paint color you labored over choosing can wind up looking like the worst choice you've ever made based on the lighting you use in that room. Let's take a look at the three basic types of lighting.
Task lighting is lighting that performs a function for a task. Task lighting should be in every room in your house. From desk lamps to table lamps, before purchasing a lamp, keep in mind what tasks you will be using it for. Reading lamps should be above eye level so that the light hits the page you are reading. Pendants over a work surface in the kitchen can help you see what you are chopping.
Photo courtesy Lowes
Ambient lighting (also known as overall lighting), lights up the whole room, and can be in the form of a chandelier or recessed lighting, to name two. They are usually on or near the ceiling. Putting ambient lighting on dimmer switches can help change the mood in the room.
Icicle Leaf Chandelier courtesy of Lamps Plus
Photo courtesy of Lamps Plus
Accent lighting is lighting that can help create drama or interest in your rooms. Spotlights, in-cabinet, bookshelf, sconces and even candles are considered accent lighting. While lighting can be used to highlight artwork, some lamps become art in their own right. Accent lighting is an opportunity to have some fun with your lighting choice. Used along with task lighting, accent lighting can give your rooms that warm and welcoming glow that invites you into the room.
It is said that the best designed rooms incorporate all three types of lighting.
Getting back to lamps for a moment; a quick and inexpensive way to change the look of a room is to switch out your lampshades and/or finials. You can change the whole look of a lamp just by changing the lampshade. However, please remove the plastic from the shade before putting it on your lamp. Many people think that if they leave the plastic on it keeps the dust from settling on the shade, but instead it settles on the plastic, making it eventually turn yellow. Take the plastic off and, while vacuuming, just use the upholstery attachment to vacuum the shades.
Photo courtesy of New Brunswick Lamp Shade Co.
Take a look around at the lighting in your home and see where you can shed a little more light in your life.
Part II will talk about the various light bulbs available and the difference each can make in a room.
Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions
Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign, color consultations and more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.
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