5 Lighting Design Necessities
Every 7 to 10 years or so, our interiors are in need of a serious change. I’m not talking about buying and replacing your furniture; that’s not exactly cost-effective. What I’m talking about is rearranging the rug, moving the bookcase to the other wall and getting some new lighting up in here!
If you’re still using the same desk lamp you had in your dorm freshman year, it’s time to replace it. Sure that lamp has been with you through three moves and two major break-ups, but it’s just a material object. It’s time to let your IKEA pieces go out and get some grown up and mature new fixtures.
Lighting it Up
We’re all familiar with the expression, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But sometimes things just need to be replaced. When you’re starting a new chapter in your life, like getting a new job or moving into a new house, it’s time to recalibrate. Houzz says the first point of action to start with is figuring out what YOU like. We all have an aesthetic we gravitate towards. Some of us like the eclecticism of the Post-Modern design period, and others prefer Neo-Classical. What’s important is that you decorate your space in such a way that it encapsulates who you are and what you believe in. In designing your interior space, you are building a physical manifestation of who you are. Are you a cheap lamp? No! Of Course not! Let’s take a look at five lighting fixtures that will transform your home and help your little light shine.
The Chandelier
You will want to establish a focal point in the rooms of your home. This will help to secure the space and help you and your guests feel as one in the room. A chandelier is the quintessential statement piece. Available in the ornate Rococo aesthetic, the Arts and Crafts style or Mid-Century Modern, the chandelier is a functional, sculptural display of light, line and beauty. Suitable in nearly every room of the house, the chandelier exhibits style and sophistication.
The Pendant Light
Pendant lights are the more subtle, transitional cousins of the chandelier. Hung flush to the ceiling, by a chain or in pairs, the pendant light provides the general overhead light necessary to light up the entire room. A well-designed pendant light brightens the room and is stylistically stunning all at once. Best in a space that requires concentration, the pendant light helps to boost productivity and motivation.
The Floor Lamp
Truth be told, who doesn’t love a good floor lamp? They are transportable, easy to carry and can be made anew just by switching out the lampshade. Much like the coffee table book or art print hanging on the wall, the floor lamp adds another layer of design in the space. The interior design blog, How To Furnish, writes that most floor lamps can be recycled and reused with a simple light bulb change. If you’re trying to save money but want to update your space, all you have to do is rework the lampshade or replace the bulb!
The Table Lamp
Like the floor lamp, the table lamp can be moved from one locale to another, be it on the side table, bookcase, shelf or even the fireplace. Wonderfully functional for reading, writing or some other intricate work, the base of the table lamp can be painted or the shade replaced to update the look. If the design of the lamp is too far gone from your taste, all it takes is replacing it altogether.
The Wall Sconce
Much like a hung picture or other item of décor, the wall sconce provides a permanent place of light in the home. Available in a variety of materials and styles, the wall sconce turns light into art. For a timeless wall sconce, try finding a sconce with a “no-fuss” design. The less ornate, the better.
Lighting is just as critical a design feature in the home as the furniture is. As long as you don’t forget this, your home should always be in fashion and to your liking.
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
Online Men’s Lifestyle Magazine on Gear, Grooming, Girls, Gadgets
