In This Post:
– Lighting in the living room
– Lighting in the drawing room
– Lighting in the dining room
– Lighting in the kitchen
– Lighting in the bathroom
– Lighting in the bedroom
When it comes to installing light fixtures in each room of your house, it is important to remember that one style doesn’t fit all. Although most of us don’t realize it, the lighting in our homes can have a huge impact on our mood, sleep pattern and even appetite. It also has a big effect on the décor and ambience of your place. Therefore, whether you are building a home or renovating one, it is extremely important to choose the best type of lighting for each room in order to highlight the best features of your décor.
But, where should one start?
Well, most people would recommend hiring an interior designer to help you determine the perfect lighting for all rooms. However, here at Zameen, we strive to help you learn how to choose lighting for your home all by yourself.
Before we begin, let’s clarify the three main types of lighting that are required for each room:
- General light: Light fixtures that illuminate a room and evenly distribute the light
- Task light: Light fixtures highlighting a specific work area
- Accent light: Light fixtures that create a focal point in the room
Regardless of the room, these three types of lighting must be layered within a space to create a balanced, cohesive look and maximize functionality.
The quality of the bulbs you use will also have an impact on the atmosphere in each room. For instance, incandescent light offers a warm, yellowish light whereas halogen lights are perfect for task lighting. Fluorescent lights come in many shades, consume less energy and last for a very long time. However, they are not considered a great choice for homes and apartments.
Now that we’re clear on different types of lights, here’s an easy house lighting design guide to get you started.
Best Type of Lighting for the Living Room
Having a well-lit living room can make your home look spacious and elegant. Since most people prefer this part of their house to look casual yet cosy, opting for track lights is ideally the best option.
Track lights comprise a series of heads fixed on the same tracks. These heads, which bear the light bulb, are adjustable and can move about 180 degrees. You can also configure their brightness and change their angle to whichever setting you’d prefer. For instance, if there is a specific spot in your living room that you believe should be the focal point, adjust the track lighting to highlight it.
Statement pendant lights also provide the best lighting for the living room. Not only do they make your décor look trendy but also disperse light evenly across the place. Depending on your home décor, you can opt for metallic, chrome, glass or acrylic pendant lights.
Dimmable wall sconces, tall floor lamps and the timeless recessed lighting are also ideal solutions for all of your living room lighting problems.
Find out more about different types of indoor light fixtures here. You can also take a look at some budget-friendly living room design ideas for some added inspiration.
Best Type of Lighting for the Drawing Room
Generally, a lot of traditional drawing rooms in Pakistan feature a lavish-looking crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room. These light fixtures usually comprise five to seven light bulbs (sometimes even more) and are accompanied by complimenting wall fixtures for thematic lighting.
In modern homes, trendy pendant lights have replaced chandeliers as the most popular type of lighting in the drawing room.
However, it is important to note that chandeliers usually look great in rooms that have high ceilings. If your drawing room is small or doesn’t have high ceilings, you might want to hang one or two pendant lights across from each other above the seating area. If installing the pendant lights is not an option, you can use a ceiling fan with a built-in light to illuminate your room without compromising on its aesthetics. Ceiling fans with small light kits are easily available in the market.
Whether you opt for pendant lights or ceiling fans with built-in lights, either of these can be paired with floor and table lamps for an added elegance.
Best Type of Lighting for the Dining Room
The focal point of a dining room, arguably one of the most important rooms in a house, is the dining table. Depending on the height of your ceiling, you can choose between a chandelier, pendant light, flush mount lighting or semi-flush mount lighting to add a touch of sophistication (and provide the right amount of light) to your dining room. Make sure the light fixture, whichever one you opt for, is installed directly above your dining table and perfectly accentuates it.
Dangling crystal chandeliers paired with transitional wall sconces offer the perfect type of lighting for dining rooms. On the other hand, flush and semi-flush mount light fixtures are ideal options for smaller living rooms. These lights are installed flush against the ceiling, though the semi-flush ones extend down slightly. These indoor lighting fixtures can fit into a variety of design schemes, can make your décor look contemporary and chic while perfectly lighting up your space.
You can also give your space a complete makeover with our creative dining room design ideas.
Best Type of Lighting for the Kitchen
Given the amount of cutting and chopping that goes on in the kitchen, it is extremely important for this part of your home to be sufficiently lit.
The first rule of kitchen lighting design guidelines is to assess the space to determine which section of the room needs task lighting and which part needs accent lighting. As a general rule of thumb, pendant lights must be installed above the cooking area and island for concentrated task lighting, whereas under-cabinet lights can light up your countertops and enhance the contours of your kitchen.
Recessed or can lights are also ideal options for the kitchen for general illumination and adequate distribution of light.
If you are renovating or building a home, here are some common kitchen layout mistakes that you need to avoid. Also, don’t forget to check out our clever tips on how to make the most of your kitchen countertops.
In case you want to upgrade your cooking space without breaking the bank, take a look at our detailed DIY guide on how to paint the kitchen cabinets and make them look brand new.
Best Type of Lighting for the Bathroom
Ceiling lamps are considered a popular choice for bathrooms in Pakistan, but did you know that you can upgrade this space with a variety of other light fixtures?
The lighting in your bathroom should not only serve a practical reason but also enhance its aesthetics. If you have a big space, you can install a small chandelier or pendant light in your bathroom to make it look lavish and expensive. If that’s not an option, you can opt for flush mount light fixtures and wall sconces for adequate lighting and ambience.
Task lighting, either in the form of lighting sconces or pendant light, need to be placed above the bathroom countertop for task lighting. You can also install mirror lights on your bathroom mirror, as they are both functional and serve as accent lighting.
Decorative lighting, ceiling fans with built-in lights and low hanging lamps are also popular choices for brightening up a bathroom.
If you are having trouble designing your bathroom, out tips on where to install bath accessories might help you out. You can also take a look at how to give your bathroom a timeless appeal in a few easy steps.
Best Type of Lighting for the Bedroom
The lighting choices for your bedroom can have a huge impact on your overall attitude. Unlike other rooms in a home, your bedroom is that one place that should be designed and decorated to provide the maximum level of comfort to its owner. After all, this is where one relaxes after a long and tiring day at work or school.
Dimmable wall sconces are absolutely mandatory for all modern bedrooms. Ideally, downward sconces should be placed at a height of six feet while the upward sconces should be installed above the eye level. If you enjoy nighttime reading, table lamps and portable reading lights are also a must-have item for your space.
You can also hang a pendant light or a ceiling fan with built-in light in the middle of your room for general lighting while floor lamps can provide task lighting if needed. Installing LED lights behind your bed’s headboard will also add to the aesthetics of your room and make your décor look trendy.
For more ideas and inspiration, take a look at our guide on how to make your bedroom feel warm and cosy on a budget.
So, that was all you needed to know about the best type of lighting for every part of the house.
To learn more tips on how to light your home the perfect way, head over to Zameen Blog – the leading home décor and property blog in Pakistan. Feel free to send us your comments on queries on blog@zameen.com. Also, please subscribe to our newsletter on the right to stay up-to-date about the latest developments in the property and real estate sector in Pakistan.
