Lighting not only adds style and personality to a home, it also enhances the functionality of each room. Consider the activities that will take place in each room, how you want it to feel, and which elements you want to highlight. If you’re not sure what will work best for you, here are a few tips to make your home shine!

Tip 1 – Layer your lighting

Your home needs various layers of lighting for different times of day and different activities, with each layer building on the other.

The three main layers of lighting are:

1. Ambient
2. Task
3. Accent

Ambient lighting – the main layer

Ambient lighting accounts for about 75% of your home’s light, ensuring that you can walk into a room without bumping into things! It provides overall illumination, with a comfortable level of brightness. Ambient lighting can be achieved with chandeliers, wall-mounted lighting, track or recessed lights, as well as table and floor lamps. Having a central source of ambient light is fundamental to a good lighting plan, and forms the basis for other layers of lighting.

Task lighting – for everyday jobs

As the name suggests, task lighting helps you accomplish daily activities – from preparing a meal to applying make-up. Task lighting adds brightness to specific areas of a room where activity takes place, so it’s important to think about what each room will be used for, and then plan the lighting accordingly. Effective task lighting can be achieved by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting, vanity lights and lamps.

Accent lighting – highlight a feature

Accent or directional lighting is used to highlight specific objects or architectural features, such as artwork, plants, a sculpture or any other home feature you’d like to draw attention to. Accent lighting is not meant to be a feature in itself, so it usually takes the form of recessed track or wall lights.

Tip 2 – Create a welcoming entry

The lighting in your foyer should create a welcoming entry for guests – and makes a great first impression. A stylish chandelier or feature light in a two-storey home can create a stunning focal point. Alternatively, if you choose a single level home, consider statement wall lights to make an impressive entrance.

Tip 3 – Go with the flow

The popularity of open plan living means that lighting throughout the home needs to be consistent. Do you prefer cool white or warm white? Warm white is usually the preferred choice for home lighting, as cool white is much more clinical – think supermarket lighting.

Tip 4 – Add personality with pendants

Whether they’re hanging over the island bench in the kitchen or above a reading nook, pendants are a great source of both light and style. Their versatility allows you to use them in creative ways. Choose a feature pendant that packs a punch or create a cluster for a clever design feature.

Tip 5 – Consider dimmer controls

Dimmer switches allow you to create a light source that you can change, according to your needs and mood. For example, in the dining room, you might turn the main ceiling lights up when the kids are doing their homework, but dim the lights for a dinner party with friends.

Let Hallmark Homes light the way

Planning your lighting is an important part of the build process. When you build with Hallmark Homes, an experienced lighting consultant will guide you through your new home’s lighting plan room by room, to ensure that you make the right choices for you and your lifestyle.

So if you’re thinking of building a new home in South East Queensland, the team at Hallmark Homes is ready to help. Come and check them out for yourself at one of our display centres. If you have any questions about our home designs or house and land packages, please contact us today.