Lighting can change the complete feel of a space, enrich it with functionality, and significantly transform the feel of a room.
Finding the perfect light can be tricky, whether you are doing home renovations, moving into a new office, or simply searching for something refreshing concerning your current lighting setup.
First of all, as experts from the number one lamp store in Calgary, we have put together this inclusive manual so that you can make your way through the lighting universe and choose just right for your premises.
Know the Three Types of Lighting
Ahead of dwelling on concrete tips, learn about the three core types of lighting available at a lamp store in Calgary.
Ambient Light
This refers to the general lighting of the room. It supports the theme of brightness and the atmosphere one wants to create in the area.
Task Lighting
As the word indicates, task lighting is provided for areas like reading, cooking, or working.
Accent Lighting
This is used, as one may assume, to highlight some areas in a room, be it an architectural marvel or a piece of art done by the owner. A good lighting plan incorporates all three to create a balanced and functional space.
Approach the space depending on its usage
The space’s primary function dictates the kind and degree of lighting you should be shopping for in one of Calgary’s many lamp stores.
- Kitchen: Offset bright overhead lighting with task lighting under cabinets and over worktops.
- Bedroom: Use softer, dimmable lighting with bedside lamps for reading.
- Home Office: Task lighting first, followed by ambient lighting to create an excellent working atmosphere.
- Bathroom: Even whole mirror lighting is essential, but do not leave out overhead lighting for the entire area.
Scaling Light
The lighting fixtures and furniture need to be proportionate to the size of the room. Below are some basic guidelines:
- A chandelier in the dining room must be about 1/2 to 2/3 as wide as the table.
- When in the living room, the bottom of a hanging lighting concept must be a minimum of 7′ off the floor.
- The bottom of the shade should be at eye level for bedside lamps when seated in bed.
As always, when in doubt, let the professionals at your Calgary lamp store answer any questions you have. When putting all these variables together, specific factors in your room size and arrangement may come into play.
Select Your Bulb Type
Believe it or not, the bulb can make a massive difference in your light’s quality and color. Here are your main bulb selections:
- LED: Energy-conserving and long-lasting, available in various color temperatures.
- Incandescent: These classics produce a nice warm glow in the room and are known for lacking efficiency.
- CFL—Compact Fluorescent: Compact fluorescent lights are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, but their light is not as appealing to many.
- Halogen: The bright white light is great for task lights.
When selecting a bulb, look at the following:
- Lumens: The measure of the brightness of the light produced by the bulb. Greater lumens mean greater brightness.
- Color Temperature: Expressed in Kelvins, this is the activity of a light source — that is, how warm or cool a particular light is. Lower numbers, like 2700-3000K, give a warmer light, while higher numbers, 5000-6500K, result in cooler and bluer light.
Natural Light Is Also Important
While artificial lighting is essential, one must consider how it will interact with the natural light in the interior.
Large windows are likely to offer ample daylight, which leads to glaring on screen. Consider applying adjustable window treatments to control natural light to complement your artificial lighting plan.
Embrace Layered Lighting
Implementing layered lighting will use multiple light sources distributed on several levels, which presents much of the depth and dimension required by a room.
This setup also offers greater adaptability to form diverse functions and atmospheres. For example, numerous hardware companies may join forces with a lamp store in Calgary to produce different layers of light.
- Chandeliers, pendants, and recessed lights are part of the overhead lighting.
- Mid-level lighting could include sconces and table lamps.
- Low-level lighting could be from floor lamps and under-cabinet lights.
Consider Dimmer Switches
Dimmer switches are a trove of improvements regarding lighting. They allow you to adjust just how much light you need and can be brightened or dimmed according to the activity you are undertaking or the time of day.
In doing so, you will be at liberty to set the ideal mood on whichever occasion, in addition to saving energy.
Consider using Efficient Energy
Energy efficiency is a preeminent consideration in light choice in this day and age of the environmentally conscious.
Light-emitting diode bulbs are the most energy-efficient, using up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and lasting very long. Many lamp stores in Calgary now offer a wide range of stylish LED fixtures and bulbs.
Neglect Not Decorative Aspects
While the functionality is critical, having your light go with your overall style is equally important. The lighting fixture can become an essential and elegant part of the overall décor. Consider:
- The finish of the fixture: brass, chrome, black, etc.
- The style: modern, traditional, industrial, etc.
- The shape and design of the shade or globe
It should serve a functional purpose while enhancing the room decor.
Flexibility
Your lighting requirements will occasionally change, so you should have a flexible mindset. This may, therefore, include:
- Installing flexible track lighting that allows you to change the direction and lower the focus in different areas
- Using permanently bored hanging lights for all styles and using some portable, movable styles over time
- Opting for lighting fixtures with adjustable arms or heads
Smart Lighting
Smart light systems, in their use, are getting broader, simpler, and more sophisticated.
That means you can regulate the lights from your smartphone remotely, with the help of apps, set on and off timings, change the color temperature during the day, and connect to other smart gadgets.
Growing numbers of lamp and light stores in Calgary offer smart lighting options, from individual bulbs to full systems.
Consider seeking professional advice.
These tips lay a solid foundation for choosing light fixtures, but each space is unique. Do visit a top lamp store in Calgary for professional advice. Lighting experts will:
- Assess your space and recommend an appropriate lighting solution
- Educate you on the technical details of various fixtures and bulbs
- Advise you on the current trend and latest technologies in lighting systems
- Customize a lighting solution for your most challenging spaces
Test before you buy
Look at light fixtures when they are on to see how they look before you buy. Many stores selling lamps in Calgary have displays of fixtures operating. If you are purchasing online, check the return policy if it doesn’t look the same in your space.
Budget Wisely
Good lighting is an investment in your home or office. Yes, you want to stay within your budget but know that the cheapest fixtures will likely have a shorter life and may not give you the quality of light you want. Be smart about allocating your budget, and spend where it counts.
In Conclusion
Planners must consider various considerations when selecting the lighting that best suits a given space, from its purpose and decor to the technical aspects of the many fixtures and bulbs.
Following these tips and advice from experts at a reputable lamp store in Calgary will greatly help evolve a lighting scheme that will enhance your space’s functionality, atmosphere, and aesthetics.
After all, lighting isn’t just about making a room bright; it sets a mood, accentuates your décor, and even promotes your well-being. Spend a little extra time, particularly planning your lighting well, and you will quickly see the payoff in a well-lit, inviting space for years to come.
