Lighting

Lighting has been used to great effect on places such as theatre and musical stages, making up an integral part of the show. Now lighting is also beginning to spark a rapidly growing interest among home decor enthusiast, who realize that lighting can have dramatic effects on how a room is perceived. Although we are not talking about rapidly flashing disco-lights here, some lighting alternatives are actually used more for their aesthetical than their practical value.

The art of employing lights and fixtures for achieving intense effects, designed to achieve a specified mood, have become a hot thing among home interior decoration designers nowadays.

Ideally the lighting scheme should be great from both a down-to-earth and stylistic perspective and information show that pendant lights and similar designs are taking up more and more space in stores committed to interior decorating.

Various styles of recessed lighting are not really a new ingenuity, but in our time they are appearing in places you may not have encountered them before – such as out on a patio, for example.

Seeing a subtle yet, effectual recessed patio lighting, powered partially by solar power for the first time is indeed a model that get’s the inspiration going for getting into to light up the outside of your home as well.

From the purely practical/economical point of view, the solar powered alternatives are of course most interesting. But, in many cases, combining appealing design and some sort of solar panels are not always easy or affordable. Once in place though, you can get literally unlimited energy without paying a cent for it, provided that you live in a location that provide enough sun that is.

Among other common lighting trends right now are many forms of accent lighting that may, for instance, be aimed onto a wall in order to complement the illuminate provided by the fixtures in the ceiling or from a range of recessed lighting.

Accent lighting is great for attracting awareness to specific features in the room, and often can add unexpected amounts of dimension and depth to the space. For people who want to go really advanced, there is also the option to put in the lighting arrangement in such a way that it can be “programmed” for countless scenarios.

Depending on the time of day, the mood you want to set, and which architectural features or articles in the room you want to highlight, all can be effectively accomplished by a well designed lighting system.

For lighting official places, professional designers are usually hired. But this doesn’t mean that the home improvement enthusiast needs to feel discouraged. Quite the contrary in fact, many rooms in your privately owned house can be virtually transformed by relatively simple lighting schemes. As this won’t necessarily cost an arm and a leg either, there is not many reasons for the home decor hobbyist to not make a trip to the store and look at some of the new lighting systems available.

Have you ever been fascinated with vibrant beams that unmistakably add life to a seemingly dead spot? That interest alone can be your ticket in getting yourself linked with individuals who are experts in their craft.

A professional group of people interested in style enhancement of the different kinds of illumination, the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) does not only cater to residents in the United Kingdom but also to people from foreign lands. Its objective is to provide lectures and workshops in order to develop their skills. ALD covers a wide field such as architecture, education, industrial, manufacturing and theater.

With the purpose of continuing the art of illumination for an array of sectors, the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) also seeks to raise the bar of expertise among its members. It is also targeting into actively educating the entire group in preparation for its aim to act as advisors and consultants. Another objective of ALD is to address manufacturers of any problems encountered with their equipments as well as to bring up suggestions for product improvement.

To make sure that everyone under the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) is working efficiently, a standard code was formulated for the team to follow. However, the code regulations that have been set should not be intimidating if you want to be part of ALD. As a matter of fact, anybody can join the circle. The associate entry is open to all, but certified and student categories have specific requirements.

There are several benefits that can be gained from the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD). One is that you will be involved in forums and discussions where you will not just meet the rest of ALD but also gain technical substance rendered by whoever will be the speaker. It takes the form of “show briefings” as well as product demonstrations from invited representatives that will come from big names such as Westinghouse Corporation. There are even master classes from notable practitioners.

Once you are officially affiliated with ALD, you will automatically receive magazines published by the organization such as Lighting & Sound International, Focus and Entertainment Technology. There is also a yearbook that has a compilation of all the associates’ contact numbers. It will allow you the chance to easily communicate with the others who share the same passion as you have. As it is said, frequent yourself in the company of persons from whom you can profit knowledge.

Your home has different parts inside. There is the dining room, the living room, the bedroom, the bathroom, and more. But when you think of home lighting design, you would wonder if there are general guidelines for lighting each particular area in your home, or if you can do with having lighting only in a general tone and mood all throughout.

Come to think of it though, you will be creating a home lighting design for your home. Essentially, the choice of mood and atmosphere that would emerge out of your design would depend mainly on your preferences and choices. But if you ask if there are general and widely accepted rules and guidelines for home lighting design – the answer is yes! And below are just a few ideas on how to do just that.

There are 3 major categories of lighting known, namely: Ambient Lighting, Accent Lighting, and Task Lighting. To define briefly, ambient lighting or known also as general lighting provides mainly for overall illumination of a particular area. Accent Lighting is mainly for the decorative side of lighting where distinct features of a room are highlighted. Task Lighting is done mainly to provide sufficient light in order for one to carry out an activity, or hobby efficiently.

In your home, the living room is the most important as this is where guests usually stay and spend their time. You can place different lighting fixtures on different levels or heights. On bookshelves in the living room, placing a small-diameter fluorescent concealed behind it would give an attractive lighting to your books.

Use pendant lighting over your dining table and place fluorescent lights under cabinet fixtures to give your working area more illumination. The sink can appropriately be lighted with a recessed halogen.

On your hallways, you can make use of lighting fixtures attached to walls, which directs light downwards thereby creating a feeling of spaciousness. With paintings on your walls, a halogen spotlight can highlight them well.

For your bedroom, it is best to divide it into sections so that you will have more flexibility on the degree of lighting and effect you want to come out on a particular night. Make sure you have a lamp for reading like a flexible bedside lamp.

For bathrooms, you can place strip lights on the side of the mirror. This cancels out the shadows that may have emerged otherwise without the lights. This strip lights will also increase your visibility.

With these few tips and ideas for home lighting design, you can be guided to making your own at home. Be creative, and see what you like best to look for you. Home lighting design caters mainly to the appeal you want. And while you want this to appeal to your guests and other people who may visit you, it is important that your home lighting design appeals to you first – as this after all, is your home.