Before designing a room, you need to consider two types of lighting: natural and electric. Make the right choice and you can turn a dull, soulless room into a vibrant space. Natural light To maximise natural light: Let light come through windows without interruptions. Remove secondary glazing, which absorbs light, and objects from window sills. Replace heavy curtains with blinds or muslin drapes. Mirrors amplify light. Place a large mirror opposite the window to reflect light around the room. Choose light and bright paint colours. Shades such as pale green, blue and lilac will make a room look larger whereas red, orange, brown and black absorb will light and make it look smaller and darker. As a rule of thumb, the lighter the paint - the closer to white - the more reflective it is. Colours that work well in bright, hot climates such as Italy look different in grey British daylight. Terracotta, for example, looks much duller. Your choice of flooring will affect how light a room is. Carpets are soft, absorbent and hold the light whereas floorboards with a high-gloss finish reflect it around the room. Keep small, dark rooms bright and fresh, with as little pattern as possible. This will make the space look larger and lighter. Electric light You can never light a room as efficiently as the sun so think of electric light as atmospheric background - it can create a cosy environment or a really dramatic one. Choose something more versatile than a single bulb hanging from the centre of the ceiling. Use directional lights on a track, which can be used to highlight your favourite painting or mirror. Layer the lighting throughout the room so you have the right kind for your different needs, such as ceiling lights, table lamps and uplighters. Put a floor socket in the middle of the room, so you don't have trailing leads across the floor. Highlight architectural features, such as ceiling coving, with uplighters. Each lighting type should be controlled separately to prevent the room from looking like Blackpool illuminations. Source: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen |