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Winter is traditionally a time to give your home some wow factor with festive decorations. But you don’t have to limit the changes to Christmas decor; it’s also a great time to think about upgrading your interior lights.
Yes, Christmas decorations have their part to play, and this year more than any other it’s going to be all about the outdoor decorations. Colourful lights, twinkling characters, and even Santa Claus heading for the chimney – there are lots of options to go for which will provide a real visual treat for visitors and passers-by.
In addition to the fun of lighting up the outside of your home, you can also make some changes to the indoor lighting to add wow factor. As well as making your home more welcoming and allowing you to showcase particular features, you’ll benefit from a more practical living space in the darker months of the year.
How to Upgrade Your Interior Lights
Upgrading your interior lighting is a great way to change the way your home feels, without embarking on a major renovation. Here are some simple changes you can make to your interior lighting to give your home a boost.
Mix different types of interior lights
If you’ve ever wondered why LED lights are so popular, you should know that there are two main reasons. First of all, they’re very cost-effective. Second of all, they’re available in a wide variety of types, which means you can easily find a style, size and brightness to suit your room. Here’s a quick guide to which LED lights are best for each kind of room.
A living room is typically the place where you spend most of your time, so it’s important to feel comfortable when you use it. For the living room, downlights are a great option because they will give the space an intimate and cosy feel.
It’s crucial to choose the right type of downlights for your particular property. There’s a wide choice of fire rated downlights and non-fire rated downlights on the market. If you’re looking for good LED downlights on the American market, visit Lightingnewyork.com. If you’re in the UK, there’s a wide selection on offer at https://www.simplelighting.co.uk/led-downlights/fire-rated-downlights/.
For the bedroom, strips of lights are a good choice. They can be used in many places – for instance, under the bed or around the mirror – to illuminate your whole bedroom space. Accent lighting in the form of bedside table lamps are also ideal. Bear in mind that the white light of LED typically comes in three variants: warm white, cold white, and natural white. Think about which option will work best for your room before you buy.
Last but not least, the kitchen. We all know that this room has to be well-lit to be fully functional. Natural light from windows might be enough during the day, but you also need to have plenty of additional light sources when it becomes dark. An excellent lighting option for kitchens is LED strips installed under walls cupboards, and spotlights in the ceiling. Pendant lights are also brilliant for flooding dining tables and breakfast bars with light, and you can choose a fitting that complements your kitchen’s style and colour scheme.
Change the bulbs
Sometimes, getting the lighting right in your home is as simple as making it less bright, or less dim.
Remember that different bulbs will produce different effects. Reflector bulbs are great for creating a cosy, dim light, while standard bulbs are much brighter. Changing the bulb wattage can make the world of difference too. And if it’s a fun look you’re going for, coloured light bulbs can give a room a playful feel; they’re great for kids bedrooms.
Use dimmer switches
If you can’t face overhauling all the lighting in a room, installing a dimmer switch is an easy alternative.
A dimmer switch gives you full control over light levels, which means you can adapt the lighting to suit different times of day and different uses of the room. Dimmer switches should be fitted by a qualified electrician, but it’s a relatively small job.
Clever tricks with lighting
Another simple but clever trick is to use interior lights to create an illusion in a room.
If you’re working with a small space, adding lights on opposite walls will make it seem larger. Adding a mirror will also reflect light, and make a room look and feel more spacious. Floor level lights can make a ceiling look higher, and you can use accent lighting to highlight a particular feature and draw the eye away from less-than-lovely areas.
While your outdoor lighting is the first thing that visitors see, your home’s interior lighting is the deciding factor when it comes to making people feel comfortable. Making a few simple changes to your lighting can have a big impact, and help to create a stylish, welcoming home that you and your friends and family love to spend time in.
What’s your top tip for using interior lighting to enhance your home?
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