Have you ever noticed how the lighting in a room can instantly influence your mood? The cozy, soft glow at an intimate candlelit dinner. The bright, energizing lights in a busy office or retail store. The warm, intense sunlight at a photographer’s golden hour photo shoot. The dust-specked bluish beam of light coming through your window on a cloudy day. 

Light plays a big role in shaping our emotions, mood, productivity, and well-being. In this article, we’ll explore more about how lighting and mood are related, and how you can use light to feel your absolute best.

Feeling Tired? The Science of Light and Sleep

Imagine waking up to a vivid sunrise, feeling invigorated, motivated, and ready to conquer the day. This comes from light’s impact on our internal body clock, known as the circadian rhythm. The natural light we are exposed to during the day helps regulate our sleep-wake patterns and, in turn, our mood and energy levels. In the mornings, sunlight has a cool, almost bluish hue. At midday, sunlight is a truer white. In the evenings, sunlight has warm, almost orange hue. This transition from cool to warm throughout the day is hardwired into our brains – and helps our body know when its time to wake up, and when it’s time to get ready for bed.

Artificial lighting, if properly aligned with our circadian rhythms, can mimic the many benefits of natural light. This is important since the majority of us spend much of our waking hours indoors under various types of artificial light. The most important thing to remember if you want a good night’s sleep, is to avoid light sources that give off cool, blue light for a couple of hours before bed. This “morning” light will trick your brain, and inhibit melatonin production making it harder to get to sleep. Use light bulbs with warmer light in your bedroom, and turn off the screens (phones and tvs give off blue light too!). Nothing boosts your mood faster than a good night’s sleep!

Feeling Down? The Science of Lighting and Mood

Sunlight is the gold standard for lighting. Natural sunlight influences mood by releasing and regulating different hormones and chemicals in our bodies, including melatonin and serotonin. Maximizing exposure to natural light in your living and work spaces is proven to have a positive impact on your mood. Studies have shown a strong link between exposure to sunlight and a boosted mood. Exposure to bright, natural, or natural-like lighting is linked to reduced symptoms of depression and improved mood. While sunlight isn’t necessarily a cure for low mood – making time to be in it can certainly help you to feel a little less down, especially during those darker winter months that can trigger seasonal depression. 

Natural lighting isn’t always available, of course, and this is where artificial light comes in to save the day! Just as the temperature of light can affect your sleep cycle, it also plays a part in your mood and the emotions you feel. Warm light (yellow and orange hues) creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere and increases relaxation and comfort. Cool light (bluish tones) is energizing and can promote focus and alertness. Generally, the goal is to balance warm and cool lighting to cater to different settings and activities.

How to Choose the Right Light:

Lighting at Home

Lighting in your home is about more than just practicality. Lighting helps you create a space that is welcoming and supports your emotional well-being. Your home is your safe space and your sanctuary. Soft, warm lighting in living spaces and bedrooms creates a sense of relaxation and tranquility. Dimming lights in the evening can tell the body to unwind, supporting better sleep. In contrast, bright, cool lights are incredibly helpful in areas where you need to stay focused and alert, like a kitchen food prep counter, a garage workshop, or a home office. 

In multi-use spaces, it’s especially important to layer your light. For example, a large great room with layered light could have cool white recessed lights in the ceiling on a dimmer switch, a large window with blinds for natural light, and lamps placed in strategic areas with warmer bulbs. By adjusting light levels and sources, you’ll be able to create a mix that feels right for any activity, and transition seamlessly from homework at the kitchen table to a movie night in the living room. 

In outdoor areas, like a patio or yard, opt for warm lights to create a comfortable, cozy atmosphere for your late-night BBQs. Cool lights work well for security lights, or for areas where you need to see clearly to be safe, like stairs or a walking path with uneven levels, a basketball court, grilling area, or storage shed. Whenever possible, choose fixtures that direct light downward to prevent light pollution – the best night lights around are the stars! 

Pro Tip: You may want to consider investing in smart LED bulbs. While they cost more upfront, they are incredibly energy efficient (meaning a lower power bill), and many can be either manually adjusted or programmed on a timer to go from cool to warm light throughout the day.

Lighting at Work

As a general rule, bright, cool lighting in workplaces can improve productivity and concentration. Research suggests that daylight-like lighting in office settings enhances job satisfaction and reduces fatigue. In addition, incorporating warm lighting in break areas can reduce stress by creating a more relaxing space for employees. Always remember to keep your employee’s needs in mind, and whenever possible ask for feedback. For example, fluorescent lighting ticks the boxes for bright and cool, but it can also cause headaches. An office workspace in a high-stress industry might do well with cool light (to boost productivity) OR warm light (to ease stress levels), depending on the needs of the people that will be in that space.

If you work from home, the same principles can be applied to your home office. Make sure your office has plenty of cool, bright light for those days when you need to be laser focused. Add in a warmer light source like a desk lamp for stressful days or late-night work marathons.

Pro Tip: Another proven mood-booster in the workspace is the addition of plants. Find varieties that will flourish with the lighting conditions in your space, and add a few around the office.

Creating Your Ideal Lighting Environment:

• Know Your Needs – Figure out the main purpose of each space, and determine how you need to feel while you’re there. Tailor the lighting accordingly to ensure the space will meet your mental and emotional needs while you complete tasks in the area.
• Choose the Right Bulbs – Light bulb tech has come a long way. Choose bulbs with color temperatures that match your goals, or invest in smart lighting systems that allow you to change your lighting settings throughout the day as your needs change. Remember to be flexible, you might end up trying a couple different light temperatures before you find the best one. 
• Use Dimmers and Controls –  Whenever possible, install dimmers to control the intensity of your lighting. Adjusting the lighting levels can help you create the desired ambiance for any occasion and “set the mood” to help improve your mood!  
• Maximize Natural Light –  Arrange your furniture and decor to maximize natural light exposure. If you have limited window space, light-colored walls and furniture or wall art with reflective surfaces can help to bounce that coveted natural light around your rooms.

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The connection between lighting and mood is an interesting mix of science and psychology. Whether it’s nurturing warm hues or energizing cool tones, the quality and type of light in our surroundings truly affects our mood and emotions. With the right information in hand, you can thoughtfully create spaces that elevate, rejuvenate, relax, and inspire. So, next time you turn on a light, remember that you’re not just lighting up a room – you’re boosting your mood too!

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Need more bright ideas for the lighting in your home? Contact us today to chat with an expert! 

In the world of interior design, open floor plans have become the standard of modern living. Open plans blend living, dining, and kitchen areas into a (hopefully) seamless and cohesive space that provides many options for functionality and creativity. The airiness in an open plan creates an atmosphere that’s hard to beat. But it’s this same openness that creates a unique set of challenges when it comes to lighting. 

How do you ensure every nook and cranny is well-lit? How do you ensure that your lighting choices work well with each other and provide a sense of harmony and balance? Lighting an open floor plan requires a bit of planning, but it’s very doable. 

What are some of the challenges with lighting an open floor plan?

• Multiple Functions, One Space: Open floor plans often combine living, dining, kitchen, and occasionally other work areas. Each of these spaces requires different lighting levels and types. For example, a kitchen island may require task lighting, while the living area needs ambient and accent lighting.
• Limited Wall Space: In a traditional room, you can usually rely on wall-mounted fixtures or strategically placed lamps for ambient lighting. Open floor plans have fewer walls, which can limit the location options for fixtures that evenly distribute light.
• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Because all areas are connected, the fixtures you choose will be visible from everywhere. It’s important to choose light fixtures that can be both beautiful and provide the amount of light needed for the tasks and activities taking place in each area of the space.
• Maintaining Visual Harmony: With an open layout, it’s important that the lighting fixtures and decor flow seamlessly from one area to another. This can be a challenge if there are significant style or design differences between spaces. This can also make placing drop-down fixtures such as pendants or chandeliers tricky – they might light the table perfectly, but block sight or conversation lines between other areas in the space.

So, how do we tackle these challenges? Follow these 5 steps for beautiful and balanced open floor plan lighting:

1. Think About Scale and Proportion

When it comes to lighting, size and scale matter. Massive chandeliers or pendant lights might be eye-catching, but they can overpower the room and disrupt the balance and flow of a space. Likewise, fixtures that are too small and underwhelming can be lost in the visual depth of an open floor plan.  

A fixture’s scale (size in relation to the space it occupies as well as other design elements) should align with its intended purpose. For example, a fixture used for task lighting should illuminate it’s specific work areas without too much overlap, and a ceiling fixture used for ambient lighting should provide consistent overall coverage without overpowering or underwhelming the room. 

2. Layer Your Lighting for Depth and Drama

Just like a painting, a well-lit space has layers. Think like an artist and use these layers to achieve lighting perfection. Here’s how you can do it:

• Ambient Lighting: This is your base, providing overall illumination. Consider recessed lights or track lighting for even coverage.
• Task Lighting: This is focused light for specific activities like reading, cooking, or working. Think pendant lights over an island or desk lamps.
• Accent Lighting: Add drama and highlight architectural features, artwork, or plants. Use wall sconces, spotlights, or strip lights.

3. Create Zones with Different Fixtures

Since open floor plans combine multiple functions in one space, it’s crucial to define different areas with lighting:

• Living Area: Use a combination of floor lamps, table lamps, and overhead fixtures to create a cozy ambiance.
• Dining Area: A pendant light or chandelier hung low over the dining table sets the mood for intimate gatherings. Depending on the layout, wall sconces are also a great option.
• Kitchen: Under-cabinet lighting brightens up workspaces, while pendant lights over an island provide functional and decorative illumination.

4. Play with Temperature

The color temperature of your bulbs can significantly impact the mood of your space. It’s okay to mix and match light colors throughout, but avoid large differences in ambient color temperature in adjoining spaces.

• Warm White (2700K-3000K): Creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere, perfect for living and dining areas.
• Cool White (3500K-4100K): Provides bright, energizing light suitable for kitchens and workspaces.
• Daylight (5000K+): Mimics natural daylight and works well in task-oriented areas.

5. Embrace Natural Light

In any rooms that have windows, you always want to consider the natural light that comes through them as a part of your lighting plan. A good lighting plan doesn’t just consider how the space will look in the evenings – you’ll also want to strategically place fixtures to complement, rather than compete with, natural light. Watch your room throughout the day, and throughout the seasons. You’ll notice places where the natural light might need a little extra help.

When you can harmonize your light fixtures with the changing natural light, you’ll end up with a space that feels just right from dawn to dusk. Planning your lighting around natural is big deal, but it’s not the only way to take advantage of the free light streaming through your windows.  Here are a few more tips for striking a harmonious balance with the natural and artificial lighting in your open floor plan:

• Window Treatments: To let in more light without sacrificing privacy, look for light, airy curtains to use during the day. Don’t forget – sheer curtains aren’t great for privacy when it’s dark outside, so they work best in conjunction with a layer of blackout curtains or a set of blinds. If curtains aren’t your thing – opt for light-colored blinds that can be angled to allow natural light to flow freely. 
• Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces: Strategically placing mirrors opposite windows can help bounce light around the room, making it feel even brighter and more spacious. You can get a similar result with furniture or art pieces with reflective surfaces – so feel free to mix and match to get the right look.
• Install Dimmer Switches: Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the intensity of artificial light to complement changing natural light conditions. It’s a great solution for those cloudy days when the sunlight isn’t *quite* enough – you can add just a *bit* of light to comfortably see what you need to do without having to blast a full set of ceiling lights in the middle of the day. 

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Remember, lighting is the heartbeat of any space, and in an open floor plan, it is an especially powerful element that can transform and define the space. If you find yourself needing personalized guidance or are seeking that perfect lighting fixture, don’t hesitate to reach out to a lighting design expert. Their expertise can make all the difference in creating a space that not only looks amazing but also feels amazing!

If your basement is more of a second thought or storage dungeon than a cozy retreat, you’re not alone. Many homeowners face the challenge of turning this below-ground space into something welcoming, beautiful, and functional. In this post, we’ll shed light on the challenges you might face and offer some creative solutions to transform your basement into a spectacular space.

Ready to rise above design challenges and claim your basement’s place as the “Best on the Block”? Let’s get started!

1. Dealing with Limited Natural Light

THE CHALLENGE

By their nature, basements often suffer from a lack of natural light, creating a dim and sometimes gloomy atmosphere. 

IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS

• Lighting Placement: Brighten up the dark corners of your basement by strategically placing overhead lighting and light fixtures. 
• Light-Colored Walls: Opt for light-colored wall colors to reflect light and create a feeling of brightness.
• Mirrors: Hang mirrors to bounce the light that is coming into the space around the room, making it feel more open and airy. 
• Egress Windows: Consider installing egress windows (windows designed to provide an emergency exit) if feasible, not only for safety but also to allow natural light into the space.
• Window Wells: Create light wells or window wells to redirect natural light from above ground into the basement. These aren’t an easy addition if you’re doing a remodel rather than a new build, however, they are often the best way to add more natural light to your basement.

2. Overcoming Low Basement Ceilings

THE CHALLENGE

Low ceilings can make basements feel cramped and claustrophobic – the last thing you want when trying to cozy up to watch a movie or when hosting a family event! Changes to the structure or foundation can solve this issue, however, they are time-consuming projects and costly.

IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS

• Strategic Lighting: Use low-profile or recessed lighting to avoid having light fixtures hang too low into the space. A low-hanging fixture is a visual reminder of how low the ceiling is, and can also be a hazard for taller friends and family.
• Vertical Lines: Incorporate vertical lines in the room using things like bookshelves, curtains, structural elements (windows, pillars, etc), floor lamps and pendants, or wall art.  These vertical lines subtly help to make the space feel taller rather than wider.
• Optical Illusions: Choose low-profile furniture to create the illusion of more headspace. You can also use vertical stripes or patterns on walls, art, or furniture to create the illusion of height. Additionally, painting the ceiling a light color, usually bright white, can help make a low ceiling appear taller.

3. Tackling Moisture and Humidity Issues

THE CHALLENGE

Basements can be prone to moisture, leading to mold growth, unpleasant odors, and a cold “damp” feeling.

IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS

• Proper Ventilation: Install a dehumidifier or invest in proper ventilation to keep humidity levels in check.
• Waterproofing: Seal any cracks or leaks in the foundation to prevent water from seeping into the space. 
• Use Moisture-Resistant Materials: Choose durable, moisture-resistant materials for your flooring and walls. Not only will this limit potential issues but it will make using and cleaning the space easier for active kids and entertaining!

4. Balancing Lighting for Different Functions

THE CHALLENGE

Finding the right balance of lighting for various activities – from watching movies and playing games to exercising and working – can be challenging in a multi-functional basement.

IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS

• Dimmer Switches: Install dimmer switches to adjust lighting brightness according to the activity and time of day.
• Lighting Zones: Divide your basement into functional zones and install separate lighting types for each area to tailor to your specific needs. For instance, a kids’ play area should be brightly lit while a home theater area should have lighting that can be dimmed for ambiance.
• Smart Lighting Systems: Invest in smart lighting systems that allow you to control the intensity and color temperature of lights with ease.
• Motion-Activated Lights: Install motion-activated lights in less frequently used areas of your basement, such as storage and utility closets, to save energy.
• Smart Bulbs and Systems: Explore smart bulbs and lighting systems that can be controlled via smartphone apps, allowing you to adjust settings remotely.
• Color-Changing Lights: Add a playful touch with color-changing lights that can set the mood for different occasions.

5. Choosing the Right Colors

THE CHALLENGE

Poor wall and furniture color choices can make a dark basement problem even worse, leading to a cave-like atmosphere. Unlike bigger, more expensive basement projects (such as structural changes), paint is usually a quick and easy fix that makes a huge difference! 

IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS

• Light-Colored Walls: Opt for light and neutral colors for walls to reflect light and create a more open feel.
• Bright Accents: Introduce pops of bright colors through accessories, furniture, or artwork to add vibrancy and contrast.
• Lighting and Decor Color: Your lighting will affect how the colors of everything else in your basement appear. Warm light will make your paint and furniture colors learn more orange and red, while cool bulbs will make them appear more blue. Look for bulbs with a high CRI (Color Rendering Index) value to keep your colors true. 

Pro Tip: To see which type of light makes your room look its best without breaking the bank on a full basement’s worth of new light bulbs, try buying one or two smart bulbs and screw them into a lamp that you can move around. Turn off the other lights, and play around with the color settings to see how they affect the colors in your basement. You may find that your walls and furniture look completely different at each end of the spectrum – a free home makeover with just a flip of a switch!  

6. Creating Functional Layouts in Limited Spaces

THE CHALLENGE

Limited space in basements can make it hard to plan out a functional space. But, with some pre-planning and creativity, you can create a basement that not only meets your needs but is the space your family gravitates towards day after day. 

IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS

• Multi-Functional Furniture: Choose furniture that serves more than one function, like a sofa bed or storage ottomans. 
• Wall-Mounted Storage: Maximize floor space with wall-mounted shelves and storage units.
• Multi-purpose Lighting: Choose fixtures and bulbs that can meet more than one need. Track lighting, for example, can serve as both indirect general lighting and for highlighting artwork or decor. Countertop lighting over a kitchenette can be useful for food prep, stair lights are a helpful safety feature, and a TV back light helps reduce eye strain – and all three can also be flipped on to provide low-light ambiance for movie nights. 
• Smart Bulbs: For ultimate versatility, choose smart LED bulbs with color adjustment options. Maybe you generally prefer cooler white light but want the option to warm things up when hosting a party or relaxing with a good book. Smart bulbs can be manually adjusted or pre-programmed to change to follow your routines. They can give you a space that’s bright during the day while you’re working, and then dim at night when you’re winding down. Since basements often serve many uses, your lighting should as well!
• Open Concept Design: Consider an open-concept layout to make the space feel larger and more versatile, especially if your basement includes a bar or kitchen area. 

Designing and finishing a basement can pose some unique challenges, but with creativity and strategic planning, your basement has met its match! Embrace the unique characteristics of your basement space, experiment with different designs and lighting solutions, and choose materials and decor that stand up to the demands of below-ground living. Your basement has the potential to become a vibrant, functional, and inviting extension of your home—and the envy of the neighborhood!

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Are you ready to create the basement of your dreams? Let the design experts at Illuminate Lighting guide you. Contact us today and we’ll help you get started!