Thinking about lighting for your renovation project?
We have the answers
Lighting. The what where when and how. Which light is best used in which spaces? There are lots to choose from, so lets see what you need to consider...
Lighting is a key item that contributes to how your home will look and feel but it can tend to be overlooked during renovations. With so many options such as pendants, halogens, task lighting, wall sconces, it can be a bit bamboozling… So who can we ask to help us with our lighting choices and plans?
We offer an electrical plan when doing a whole house renovation. Of course, if you choose to engage our interior designer they too will be able to advise where what and when for your lighting needs. Asking the professionals will certainly take the uncertainty out of important selections for different areas of the home.
So which areas need specific lighting?
In bathrooms & kitchens, you should have key task lighting. For example over the mirror where you apply makeup & in the kitchen where major food preparation occurs These are two key areas where lighting should be clear and bright.
Being on the Gold Coast, I think it's safe to say that most of us would prefer natural light where possible. You will need to consider this whilst planning your renovation. Placement is key to adding windows, skylights and solar tubes which are excellent options for allowing gorgeous sunlight into main living spaces. The results can be stunning…
In the instance where natural light isn't an option, your choice of lighting is paramount. The type of bulb you choose can dramatically impact the feel of the space, there are cool white lights and soft warm lights, depending on your requirements. Over the dining area, soft warm lighting is best. However, in an office or bathroom, we would recommend clean white lights for accuracy and clear visibility.
Wanting to highlight a favorite piece of art in the hallway or dining room? You would use 'spotlighting' so that it has a high impact. Stunning designer pendants are often used in statement stairwells, entrance halls or in your master bedroom. These pieces really have an enormous impact in your home.
What if I don’t have high ceilings, but like the idea of feature lighting in my home?
Don’t stress if you don’t have high ceilings, there are great options to choose from. A modern pendant cluster, for example, has a huge presence but is not low hanging. Most pendants have wires to suspend from which can be shortened or lengthened by our electrician to suit your space, style and ceiling restrictions.
Last but not least, versatile halogen lighting, which also comes in strips. With strip lighting you can customize and control remotely, these are VERY popular in kitchens and bathrooms, so are often used:
• Under island bench tops
• Kicks panels (Skirting at the bottom of the cabinets
• In the ceiling, there are endless options with this one.
• Colour settings for each mood, even a disco function for a bit of fun.
• Around mirrors and splashbacks
• Range Hoods
• In display cabinets and wine racks.
• In behind the stone of your island bench (this can look particularly stunning)
We hope that this has given you some basic information about different lighting on offer and which type should be considered in different areas of your home. As suggested earlier, the safest option to ensure you have a beautifully lit home is to ask the professionals… Give us a yell if you would like us to put you in touch with someone who can help.
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