Lighting plays a vital role in accentuating the look and feel of a place. In fact, different types of lighting can create a particular mood in a room. It is a combination of natural and artificial light that needs to be used together to enliven a space.

The interplay between these light forms will depend on how the windows and other openings are positioned to let in abundant natural light. Says Architect Chitra K Vishwanath, “As far as possible, allow natural day lighting.

Draw light from the north and the east; they do not bring in as much  heat. Getting light into buildings from the top through skylights and courtyards, are a good idea. You never know how close or how high the next building will be and how much it will succeed in blocking your window.” Again, direct harsh sunlight can make a space unusable which means that the accent should be on soft yet sufficient light.

There are a variety of lights that you can use. Accent lighting can provide visual focus on a specific art object. To achieve this you can use adjustable down-lights or spotlights using a zero watt bulb. Another good choice is to use chandeliers for a sparkling effect throughout a room.

Use clear bulbs in crystal or glass chandeliers to enhance sparkle. The emphasis should be on illumination than brightness. You can use table lamps both as decorative and functional pieces, to light up a specific area of the room. This can also be used for tasks like reading. According to architect Jaisim, Jaisim Fountainhead,  “Lighting is perhaps the evident and important of all the senses that need addressing. The visual perception of space, the drama and excitement that it can create is the most influential on the human sense.”

Light is crucial to both architecture and interiors. It could be natural or artificial but light is what determines the quality of experience in any space. “In other words, light can be used to exploit our sense of perception. A ray of late afternoon sunlight highlights and casts shadows, modelling the objects on which it falls. Whereas a bright midday sun overhead throws flat and unvaried illumination over everything.

This modelling potential has been long exploited in theatre, in photography and cinema. These art forms have used emotional power, using shadow, tone and colour to create mood. This aspect can be subtly applied to domestic lighting. Using light thrown from different heights and angles a space, can be made to feel larger or smaller and creates different moods inviting concentration or relaxation, coolness or warmth depending on the nature of activity,” says Sandeep J, Co-Director, Architecture Paradigm Pvt Ltd.

Lighting for living spaces must be flexible to accommodate varied activities. Hence it is a big thumbs-down to have a single light in the room. Says Vishwanath, “Look for specific purpose lighting. The work place, study, conversation area, dining space, etc, all require different focus and different intensity of light.”

For instance, make sure there is no light reflected on a television screen. You could use a low hanging focus light over the dining table. An important thing is that you have to consider the heat factor as well. A variety of light sources in your living room allows you to change the ambience to suit different activities. 

Feng shui

The followers of feng shui use a number of procedures to get an idea of the energy of the surroundings and then alter it to suit the people living there. This ideology can be used to ensure that energy or ‘chi’ flows freely in the surroundings, thus, making the people in that place happier and more positive in their outlook.

Follow these simple tips to change the lighting of your rooms and there will be an increase in the amount of happiness and harmony in your house. Soften sharp corners of a room using accent lighting. Softening of sharp edges increases the energy flow and creates a relaxed atmosphere.

Shadows must not be cast while we read or cook food. So ensure that your study and kitchen is well lit with incandescent bulbs or halogen lights. Different coloured lights denote different moods. Pinks have a calming effect; purple is used for passion, yellow for a relaxed feeling.

Soft lights create positive energy, therefore when you need a lot of light for a particular room, use two soft lights. Well-lit areas encourage the flow of positive energy. Place mirrors in dark rooms or corners so that they will reflect light and positive energy will flow freely. In rooms with irregular shapes, place a lamp in the area that is missing to allow positive flow of energy. 

Considerations

Assess the space that needs to be lit; is it a bedroom, bathroom, office or kitchen and what kind of ambience is most appropriate.

With different kinds of lighting possibilities, care has to be taken to carefully address the installation requirements in terms of safety and nature of the work, whether it is a new construction or upgrading old construction.

“The thumb rule is to satisfy two requirements in any given space, one is general lighting and the other being task oriented lighting. But there is usually a tendency to overdo or underdo things, so care has to be taken to efficiently plan things and the technical requirements need to be adhered to. The other important aspect is about following sustainable practices as far as possible to help in energy conservation,” adds Sandeep.

Today, since the lighting industry is very sophisticated, there is a wide range of illumination possibilities. Today the source of lighting varies from fluorescent tubes, incandescent bulbs, halogens, to optic fibres and LED.

“The mood that a space can create is dependent on all the senses and much more. The ambience that lighting can create is beyond definition. One can deliberately make a place awkward or delightful by just judicious light positions,” explains Jaisim. Hence a small room can look much larger with the use of light.

Compensate for insufficient natural light with judicious use of colour, reflective surfaces and smart lighting.

Concurs Vishwanath, “Match the colour of the room and the artificial light you use. For example, yellow light goes well with brown walls.“ Whether it is your mood or your sensibility, good lighting can make a difference to your living space. Make sure you go for a lighting scheme that really works for you and is what you want and fits your budget. So go ahead and welcome light!