Interior Lighting » Accent Lighting

Modern Interior Design

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:23:43 +0000

As an interior designer, you must stay on top of all the modern trends. Once you leave school, you will need to do this on your own. Modern interior design can be fun and quite expensive. Interior Designers know the tips and tricks to keep expenses down without compromising the quality and creativity of the design.

Interior Designers know the best places to buy furniture, window treatments, blinds and artwork to compliment modern interior design. They also know the where to get the best accessories, nicest plants plus flooring and anything else needed. Many of these resources are obtained online.
Interior Designers have access to the latest design software so that they can plan virtual designs and layouts of your living spaces. If you are planning to do your own modern interior design then there are plenty of resources available to you on the internet. There are many articles on the subject, which can easily be found using your favorite search engine. Your local library may carry the latest books on do it yourself interior design.

If you are planning to do your own modern interior design then you have to have a plan just like the professionals. You need to know what you have to purchase, how much it will cost and where you can actually find it. There is a lot of planning involved and you do not want to get started only to realize there is no way you can finish because you have run out of money.

Professional Interior Designers use the latest interior design software to plan a virtual design. This software can be very expensive for the average do-it-yourselfer. However, some relatively inexpensive programs will the same thing just not without all the bells and whistles.

Some tips offered by Professional Interior Designers for modern interior design include having from three to five sources of light in a room. Besides your general lighting, a room needs decorative and accent lighting. Lighting adds mood and atmosphere to a room.

In the past, most modern interior design was found in offices; now more and more homes are employing the styles of modern interior design. Some concepts are considered to clinical or sterile for homes, which is something you do not want and is a common mistake of someone who does not have the experience of a professional interior designer. Keep this in mind if you plan to do the work yourself.

Artwork can add personality to a room. If Art is too expensive for you then there are other ways to decorate your walls. If you have any photos or know of someone who takes many photos then they can make a great addition to your walls without costing anything.

You do not have to be a professional interior designer to decorate your home with modern interior design. However, if you are willing to spend the money on a professional, you can bet that it will be worth it.

By: Tom Houser

Fancy Lighting – Home Decor Enlightenment

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:48:20 +0000

Light is one of those basic necessities we take for granted, without it we couldn’t see a thing! Lately however, lighting has been lifted into the spotlight of home improvement circles. The art of interior design can be taken to a whole new level, by employing various lighting solutions that will help in giving a certain space a totally unique atmosphere.

The art of employing lights and fixtures for accomplishing dramatic effects, designed to achieve a specific mood, have become a hot trend among home decor designers nowadays.

Ideally the lighting system should be great from both a functional and viewpoint and information show that pendant lights and similar products are taking up more and more space in stores committed to home planning.

Various styles of recessed lighting are not exactly a new innovation, but nowadays they are turning up in scenarios you might not have encountered them before – such as out on a patio, for example.

Seeing a subtle yet, effectual recessed patio lighting, working in part by solar power for the first time is indeed a model that get’s the inspiration going for getting into to decorate up the outside of your home as well.

From the purely practical/economical point of view, the solar powered alternatives are of course most interesting. But, in many cases, combining appealing design and some sort of solar panels are not always easy or affordable. Once in place though, you can get literally unlimited energy without paying a cent for it, provided that you live in a location that provide enough sun that is.

Among other widespread lighting trends right now are innumerable forms of accent lighting that may, for instance, be aimed onto a wall in order to complement the light directed by the fixtures in the ceiling or from a selection of recessed lighting.

Accent lighting is great for drawing awareness to precise features in the room, and as a rule can add amazing amounts of dimension and depth to the space. For those who want to go really cutting-edge, there is also the option to install the lighting system in such a way that it can be “programmed” for several scenarios.

Depending on the time of day, the mood you want to set, and which architectural features or things in the room you want to highlight, all can be effectively accomplished by a well designed lighting arrangement.

Particularly elaborate and expensive lighting systems are of course typically installed in official buildings like hotels, big company headquarters etc. But stylish lighting can definitely be employed in decorating privately owned homes as well. And, compared to other forms of home improvement or re-decorating, it does actually not have to be terribly expensive either.

The simple act of changing the lighting can breathe new life into your home, so why not give it a try.

By: Monica Hawkins

Flush Mount Lighting Fixtures

admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:27:22 +0000

Light plays an important part in the look, feel and atmosphere of your house. Whether the light is natural or artificial, the proper use of light can transform your house from drab to dazzling. The play of dappled sunlight through sheer curtains or the glow of a fancy night lamp on the wall surrounding it can evoke wonderful feelings of joy, contentment and satisfaction. Truly, a house becomes a home when it has the right ambiance; otherwise, it is only a shell.

However, to make light work for you, it is important to understand the different kinds of light. To a layman, all lights may seem the same. But, if you want to design your house so it encapsulates all your desires and dreams, then, you have to discern the minute differences in the various types of light.

There are basically three kinds of lights in a room. These are task lighting, accent lighting and ambient lighting. The clever combination of these three kinds of lighting and the appropriate use of each in the different areas of the room will ensure that you have just the right pool of light in every corner of your home.

Task lighting, as the name suggests, is used to throw focused, clear light. This is the kind of lighting you see above study tables, in libraries or in the areas lying above the kitchen workplace. These are busy places where people come only to get their work done. Accent lighting is somewhat similar to task lighting, but its purpose is slightly different. Accent lighting is used to throw certain features of the house into sharp relief. An excellent example is the kind of light used near art pieces to accentuate the beauty of the piece. You can see accent lighting above the vanity mirrors in bathrooms. Ambient lighting, as the name suggests, is used to create ambience. In this case, the light would be a soft, muted glow through a beautiful fixture. Ambient lighting simply enables us to see clearly; it performs the function of natural light. Ambient lighting is a fundamental part of the design of any room.

These kinds of lights can set the right mood to any room. They are versatile and available in all kinds of style and color. So it becomes easy for you to express your individual taste and style. Styles vary from brass, crystal and pewter to popular bronze and wrought iron finishes. In flush mount lighting fixtures, the bulb is completely covered by the bowl of the fixture. These fixtures make use of bulbs with lower wattages, as there is no gap for the heat generated by the bulb to exit.

These fixtures are a fantastic substitute for recessed lighting.

By: Dhaval Suthar

Contemporary Lighting for A Fresh, Trendy Look

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:39:41 +0000

During the post war era, the use of sleek, clean lines in interior decorating became very popular. Then and today, contemporary interiors have certain characteristics that really identifies the style which include clean lines, sculptural furnishings, art, neutral elements and bold color.

While some may find the contemporary style stark and uninviting, others are soothed by its non-busy atmosphere and are drawn to the sleek lines, unique shapes and bold color associated with the contemporary style.

To create a truly breathtaking contemporary room, you do not need a great deal of furniture, art or accessories. What you do need, though, is proper lighting.

Choosing the proper lighting is perhaps one of the most important facets of decorating your home and creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. The technology associated with contemporary lighting today has made it easier than ever before to accomplish grand things in your home with just the flick of the switch. With the right light, you can make an average room look spectacular, disguise flaws and emphasize assets. Lighting can enhance color schemes and make odd rooms seem intimate and cozy.
When choosing lighting for a contemporary space you should choose pieces that are unusual with clean lines. Contemporary lighting fixtures which feature bold color or metallic accents might be your best bet. Recessed or track lighting is also very popular in contemporary homes.

Never underestimate the importance of accent lighting. Accent lighting is important in all home décor styles, but it is more important in contemporary ones because it helps to highlight interesting pieces of art, sculpture or architecture which are the main focal points of the contemporary style.

Accent lighting is pretty self explanatory. This is the lighting that is used as a decorative accent to highlight your décor’s best features such as artwork, collectibles or architecture. This type of lighting can be creatively planned with a combination of lighting products including floor-based uplights, sconces or spotlights.

While accent lighting is not very practical for doing certain tasks, it can add dramatic effect and interest to your home’s most intimate spaces like the living room and bedroom. Accent lighting can also help to create a stunning and memorable entryway.

All different types of accent lighting can be purchased to harmonize with the contemporary lighting style. From floor-based uplights, to cylinder wall-mounted lights, to sconces, there is a wide variety of contemporary accent lighting to choose from.

Task lighting is also very important to consider when decorating in the Contemporary style. Task lighting consists of mainly floor lamps and table lamps, and is the most seen of all lighting fixtures. Be sure to choose lighting that reflects your contemporary space and adds a dramatic effect to your décor.
For general lighting, recessed lighting is the most popular type of lighting fixtures in Contemporary homes. This lighting will illuminate your whole space but not detract from the sleek lines of your décor.

No matter what lighting fixtures you choose, remember to look for unique pieces with sleek lines. If you do so, you will be sure to create a contemporary space for the whole family to love and enjoy.

By: Pamela Tice

Bathroom Lighting Design Ideas

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:01:50 +0000

Bathroom lighting is an great way to give your bathroom a whole new look and feel.

Proper lighting is important in a bathroom since this room serves as a retreat and a place to relax and unwind. A bathroom must have a complete and layered lighting scheme in order to create the desired effect.

Since most bathrooms are small enough that only a single fixture may be required to supply an ample amount of light. A ceiling-mounted fixture can be quite useful. There are many beautiful flush and semi-flush mounts that are available on the market that could be used to create the right lighting design in any bathroom. Today’s ceiling lighting can be quite attractive, especially if you look beyond the bathroom for ideas. There are many lighting fixtures that weren’t necessarily made for the bathroom that could be seen as possibilities for your bathroom remodel.

For the best lighting effect, you should apply your lighting in various layers. These layers of lighting include ambient, task, and accent lighting.

Task lighting is the lighting necessary to carry out specific activities in the home. Generally, task lighting is higher in intensity than other types of lighting

Ambient lighting is a term used to describe the total amount of light that is present in a space. We can say that a room has high or low levels of ambient lighting. Placing surface mounted fixtures at the ceiling can create ambient lighting. Accent lighting is any type of lighting that brings attention to itself or to an object.

You can certainly feel free to have more than one type of lighting for your bathroom, particularly if you have a larger bathroom, you can mix a few wall sconces with a ceiling fixture or group of pendant lights, if you have a high enough ceiling. Depending on your bathroom space you can become creative with your bathroom lighting design. If a bathroom vanity works well in your bathroom, don’t be afraid to embellish it by adding a sconce on either side. A small ceiling fixture, combined with your vanity or bar can create a more contemporary feel to your bathroom. You can customize your bathroom lighting to create your own unique lighting design.

The type of lighting you select for your bathroom is critical to your bathroom design. You should consider ceiling, vanity and recessed, accent (lighting from below counters, inside showers, etc.) and decorative as in sconces. If you are planning on vanity lighting the lighting should be provided on both sides of the vanity mirror.

Do you want to create a brighter bathroom? Do you plan to have built in any features that would need to be accented? Whether you are creating a new bathroom or remodeling your existing one, you will find that lighting design is an important consideration in bathroom design.

When it comes to brightening up a drab existing bathroom you will find that there are lots of things you can do with the existing wiring. Give careful consideration to planning out the lighting if you’re fitting a brand-new bathroom. If the new tiles have been installed over the wiring, for example, it will be very hard to change

The decision on selecting bathroom fixtures for your bathroom lighting will be influenced by the size and zones in your bathroom. A bathroom lighting fixture can be for ambient or general lighting, task lighting for specific purposes or subdued lighting for relaxation.

With the just the right amount of planning and selection of the proper bathroom lighting you can transform your ordinary bathroom into something really stunning.

By: James Mahoney