Lighting is one of the aspects which determine the mood and atmosphere of the house. Therefore, correct lighting will add positive energy to the persons in the house. Below here are some ideas for lighting around the house.

Bathrooms

Here, lighting needs to be dual purpose to help you feel energetic in the morning and relaxed at night. It should be task orientated, centered around a mirror, and then work outwards.

Mirror lighting should be soft and shadow free. Theater style mirror lights wit low watt pearl lamps fitted down the sides are a good choice. Cheaper and less dramatic is a fluorescent strip light with built in shaver socket, but it can create shadows below the nose and mouth.

The ceiling is best served by recessed down lighters. Avoid fluorescent strips and pendants because these aren’t very flattering and can be dangerous.

Bedrooms

Here, you want to create an intimate setting for various activities requiring a high level of general lighting combined with task lighting, plus mood lighting. Ideally, you want overall light for activities such as cleaning and making the beds, soft background lighting for relaxing, and lighting for specific areas such as the bed and dressing table.

Bedside lighting: look for a good source that won’t disturb a partner. Try table lights clip on spotlights or overhead, recessed spotlights.

Background: anything goes, so consider floor or wall mounted up lighters, concealed strip lights, ceiling spotlights.

Functional lights: these could include tungsten strip lights and night lights for children.

Kitchens

Kitchens require a high level of shadow free general lighting with task lighting focused at, for example, worktops, hobs and sinks.

Fluorescent strip light under wall cupboards prevent shadows on work surface.

Ceiling mounted spotlights, track lights and recessed down lighters work well in the same way overhead.

If the kitchen is also used as a dining area, add table lamps and rise and fail fitting over a table.