Shaping a Room: The Importance of Color and Lighting!

Maybe you have moved into a
brand new house or apartment, or maybe you just want to redesign a room of your
home. Either way, when planning your ideal space, there are many different
components to take into consideration.Each one says something a little
different.

Decide On a Color Scheme

Let us start with the most
basic – and most essential component – color scheme. When choosing the hues, you
will want to consider the intention of the room. Are you trying to create a
tranquil space? Do you want it to be bold and fun?



Yellow



Promoting happiness and
optimism, yellow effectively activates the memory and inspires creativity. It is
great for brightening a kitchen or work space. You can tone down a bright yellow
with darker hued accents. If bright yellow is not your thing, try a paler,
earthier shade. This will also appear to open up the space.



Red



The color of passion, red
will create a warming, romantic atmosphere in most any room. Red is also known
for stimulating the appetite and conversation, which makes it ideal for a
dining room. For bolder shades, it is common to paint the largest wall in the
room a deep red hue, and tone it down with neutral colors, such as tans or pale
yellows, on other walls.



Blue



Known as a harmonious color, blue is
ideal for your bedroom. No matter the shade, its calming presence can actually
act as a sleep aid. As a bonus, paler shades of blue tend to make your space
appear larger.



Green



In all of its hues, green represents
balance. It is a healing, soothing color and will add a relaxing aura to any
room. If you have youngsters, green also decreases hyperactivity in children. For
a captivating space, combine different shades of green within one room and accent
walls or décor with other colors, such as
pink, grey or magenta.



Bring Your Colors to Life with Lighting



Now that you have selected a
color scheme, the next component is lighting. The design will
vary, but mixed light sources will create a flattering ambiance.



Living Room



An overhead light is
essential in the living room. Whether it is a ceiling fan, pendant or flush
mount, you will want to put it on a dimmer to help set the mood. In addition, three
of the four corners of the room should have a soft glow focused on an object,
such as a plant or art.



Dining Room



Whether used for regular meals
or occasional parties, make the dining room table the brightest spot with a hanging chandelier or overhead light (no more than 100
watts). Balance this out with softer, indirect lighting fixtures, like standing
lamps.



Bedrooms



Create a cozy atmosphere with
reading lamps by the bed. Low wattage is ideal for a warm, soft glow. On the
other hand, if you choose tracked fixtures, direct the lights toward the
dressing area.



Bathroom



Sidelights for the mirror are
perfect when applying makeup, and an overhead light will help fill out the room. Also
consider a recessed or flush mount light for the shower.



While there are many other
elements to take into consideration when designing your ideal room, lighting
and color scheme are the two most important foundational aspects. Choose yours
and start planning today!