Whether starting a building from scratch or remodeling, lighting is an important part of buildings with a far-reaching influence. Failing to properly account for lighting usually has undesirable effects on the overall look of a building project upon completion. With that in mind, here are some tips for choosing the best lighting for your project.
Create a plan
Oftentimes, the size and purpose of your building will determine what kind of lighting you’ll use for your project. As expert knowledge is needed to identify the right placement of lights prior to rewiring, it is advisable to approach a professional lighting designer for a remodeling project. However, it is easier to communicate your wishes to the professional if you have developed a plan. Do this by going over your building from room to room and identifying what kind of lighting is best suited to the functions of each room. With this information, a professional will be able to recommend the best lighting products to achieve your vision.
Which light & where?
A typical building consists of bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining area, and living room. The specific ways these areas are used will inform how to illuminate them. An outward-facing wall light close to the mirror is quite effective in a bathroom while kitchens and living areas will be adequately brightened with contemporary industrial ceiling lights. Bedrooms, as spaces that reflect personality, are usually more elaborately designed. Lampshades, ceiling and wall lights, LED strips, and desk lamps are all useful for the activities that go on in the bedroom.
Be Creative
One of the reasons for the rise of contemporary lighting is aesthetics. Modern lighting equipment beautifies as well as illuminates the spaces they occupy. This is why being deliberately creative can lead to choosing the perfect product. Dimmable lights, for instance, are both practical and beautiful. With them, you can adjust your light as your tasks require and also give your room a certain ambiance. Strategic mixing and placement of lights can also have a decorative effect. Blending cool and bright lights or hanging pendants low results in a color play that’ll further beautify the room.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance is an important consideration when choosing contemporary lighting products. While some are relatively easy to maintain, requiring only dusting or bulb replacements, others are better handled by professionals. Smart lighting options, for instance, require the attention of IT specialists for optimum performance. The complexity of installation is sometimes an indicator of how difficult a piece of lighting equipment will be to maintain. One way to reduce maintenance costs is to go for products that are long-lasting and easy to install, like LED bulbs.
When planning a building project, the focus is usually on big things like structure and building materials, with lighting rarely prominent among the priorities. Suitable lighting, however, improves a building just as bad lighting diminishes it. It is therefore important to factor lighting into the equation at the earliest stages of planning.
