JOIN USLight is the magical ingredient that makes or breaks a space; it’s one of the most important elements in all my interiors,” said interior designer, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz once. Nothing could be truer than this as lights are a decor element that can transform a place like no other.
Over the past few decades, the lighting industry has seen immense changes. And many of the designers have seized this change. They have been able to use light creatively to create the perfect ambiance that is in harmony with the architectural design of a house.
The right lighting can, in fact, creatively influence the style, aesthetics, feasibility and many such characteristics of the decor. If not, it can be a complete disaster. Hence, it needs to work in tandem with your home’s design.
Careful selection is crucial, given that there are so many varieties available
today. To help wade through this huge space, let’s first take a look at the changes that have taken place.
Dynamic collections
With so many new lighting fixtures coming out in various designs, one is spoilt for choice today. “Household technology is undergoing a transformation that’s going to make lighting more integral to our everyday lives,” explains Kapil Gupta, MD, Compact Lamps Pvt Ltd.
This can be seen abundantly in the solutions that are available for new-age lighting. There has been a visible shift towards smarter lighting solutions that are intelligent and stylish at the same time. “We will not only be seeing better lighting but we’re also going to use lights that can alter our moods, improve our wellbeing and save a lot of energy,” opines Kapil.
Lighting is a dynamic business that has stretched its boundaries of imagination. Today, one can get fossil fuel-based lighting to the incandescent bulb to compact fluorescent lamp. However, the one lighting fixture that has piqued the interest of many today is LED, due to its easy fitment. Homeowners are switching to LED for their energy efficiency and extended lifespan.
Other popular lightings being used today are the skylights and sconces. While sconces can be used in the living room to add a countryside look, skylights in small spaces like the kitchen can make the place look bigger.
In addition to these, recessed lighting is also gaining a lot of attention. “This lighting allows you to illuminate only a particular part of the room. Dimmers help to increase or decrease the brightness of the lights. This helps in changing the mood of an entire room within seconds,”elaborates Prashant Mirkar, VP, marketing and sales, House of Hiranandani.
Back in vogue
Chandeliers have made a comeback this year. “They are best suited for a period or contemporary-designed living space. Not only does a chandelier add a vintage touch, it also gives a dramatic effect to the area. Given its cut-crystal drop design that reflects light to create a prismatic look, these are matchless elements in your decor,” says Saurabh Ailawadi, founder, Gulmoharlane.com.
Sculptural pendant lights, fan lighting, floor lamps on tripod stands and arm table lamps are also in demand. For example, pendant lamps can be placed over a dining table or in the kitchen to create a warm, inviting space. Additionally, it can also be placed in the hallway to create a dramatic effect.
“One can even choose to group the pendant lights together. If you select many hanging lights, then they can be placed preferably at different heights next to each other to create a harmonious layered effect,” says Vishakha Singh, founder and CEO, Red Polka.
In recent times, technology has changed the way we use and see lighting. As a result, there has been an introduction of various gadgets that allow one to control lighting with just a tap of a button. “There’s a strong demand for functional lighting design that’s incorporated into the home security system,” says Parushni Agarwal, founder and creative director, Studio Creo. Many such systems are also going wireless, and these incorporate either outdoor or indoor lighting, even both at times.
Additionally, the Internet of Things (IOT) has led to many changes in lighting, including the humble LED lighting. “While the IOT has led to a systematic integration with LED, remote-controlled LED lighting as well as colour tuning and changing LED lighting are in clear demand,” says Ashok Gangar, director — sales and marketing, Anchor Electricals Pvt Ltd. And when this is clubbed with home automation, the controls can be given to your smartphone or your tablet as well, he adds. With such smart technological innovations, lighting has become not just simpler to track but also easier to maintain.
Shaping interiors
However, lights today are no longer just placed for their basic function. The mantra these days is to minimise the add-on fixtures and look for products that complement the interior decor to make it look more aesthetically pleasing. “It is important to understand the use of the room and apply the relevant lighting to ensure it functions well,” says Shashank Sinha, senior general manager, marketing, Eureka Forbes.
This is because they play a key role in how the home shapes up. Furthermore, they can also highlight the furnishings, flooring, walls and artefacts in a creative manner. Hence, in this regard, it is important to have a lighting plan that can help you achieve the desired effect.
“For example, chandeliers can be used to provide vintage glamour and can be put up in any room. Or if you want to make a big difference, you can replace regular switches with dimmers,” says Arjunpreet Singh Sahni, executive director, Solitairian Group.
You can also add a bit of drama to your interiors by adding LED strip lights in a variety of colours to illuminate the architectural details and enliven the home’s decor.
While there may be a lot of lighting options available today, choosing the right one for your home can turn out to be a real challenge, given how crucial it is for your home’s interiors. The important thing is to be judicious during your selection process.
Take a look at the overall decor of your home and choose accordingly. By doing so, you can make your home look effortlessly chic. And it’s sure to stand out. All you really need is the perfect lighting plan that’ll enhance your home’s ambiance.