And, there was light!
DECOR
Lighting is as important to home interiors as furniture or furnishings. By using the right decorative lighting, one can enhance the beauty and character of any space, writes Sudha Jain
Today most homeowners want their lighting fixtures to make a statement. Decorative lighting is as important to home interiors as furniture and furnishings. By using the right decorative lighting, one can enhance the beauty and character of the house.
In India, decorative lighting fixtures are mostly sourced from Italy, Malaysia, Hong Kong and China. There is a plethora of decorative lighting designs available in the market. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. The more you are willing to spend, the greater the choices you have. Lamps made of stainless steel, acrylic, glass and crystal are very popular and they fit and blend with most interiors.
Coloured lamps are also very fashionable, depending on the home décor. One can use coloured lamps to enhance a space or to match the furnishing and the furniture.
Contemporary designs are the ones that are most picked as they merge with any kind of interiors and are classy and timeless. Keeping in mind home décor, lamps with an antique look are also in demand as they give a rustic or conventional look to a home space.
A lighting piece can be a statement piece all by itself. Combination of glass, colour and light can change the whole mood of the environment. Crystal chandeliers, fabric and metal lamp shades can create interesting spaces for homes. The dominant colours in decorative lights are white, blacks and reds.
Ceiling lights come in a wide variety, its range starting from a modest Rs 700 to even more than a lakh depending on the design and intricacy. The crystal-studded wall lights look stunning and they lend an elegant touch to the space with interplay of light and shade. Ceiling drops look beautiful and add just the right touch of drama to a space. Ideal for a living room or the dining area, they add that touch of class to the interiors.
They are hugely in demand and the market is flooded with Chinese decorative lighting pieces which look very similar to the original Italian ones but are very comfortably priced. These ceiling drops can cost Rs 6,000 as a starting range and the high-end ones can well make a hole in your pocket with prices going as high as Rs two lakh or even more. Studded with crystals, covered with delicate glass canopy or crystals hanging from chains, these look dramatic.
While talking of decorative lighting pieces for homes, one cannot but mention the old favourite, chandeliers.
Just one chandelier is enough to be the talking point among guests. The range is mind boggling, from glass, crystals and brass to acrylic and coloured glass. The range can go up to several lakhs depending on the budget, taste, space and design.
Chandeliers have to be chosen with care, keeping in mind the space available. Huge chandeliers work well for villas and bigger spaces but just an elegant, small chandelier is enough to create an impression in an apartment.
They can light up the entire space and create a warm mellow mood. Low hanging chandeliers can also be used to add chutzpah to a space. Classy, stand-alone foot lamps can also be used which can be a beautiful décor piece all by itself. We can find spectacular lamp shades and foot lamps which work as an artifact.
There is variety of designs available to suit the ambience. Some of the popular ones are wood based, with ultra modern designs.
Foot lamps made of drift wood with wrought iron top and a halogen bulb fixed to it can alleviate the beauty of a space. Steel-based foot lamps with long stands look striking and add glamour and lend a contemporary feel to any space.
There are showpieces fixed with bulbs which work as a lighting fixture as well as a decorative item. Some decorative pieces made with exquisite fabrics with halogen lights fixed, can be used as wall décor or can be placed on the floor. They are not too expensive, with range starting from Rs 2,000. and they help enhance the interiors.
Then there are fibre optic lights which can be hung in the curtains and can be used on festive occasions but these need maintenance and collect dust easily.
Though they look very jazzy, they are better avoided. Some well known companies such as Philips are soon launching decorative lights and ambience accessories for this festive season.
Affordable tea lights, platters, vases fixed with battery operated lights will create just the right mood for the coming Diwali.
They can be used both indoors and outdoors as they are battery operated. They can instantly perk up any space, be it the living room, dining area or the foyer. They look inviting and fabulous.
The interiors of any space can look magnificent with the use of these decorative lighting accessories. They make the homes look cozy, appealing and appealing. A little imagination and you can give your home a whole new look!
