Create a Healthy & Restful Home:  Lighting

This week in my Create a Healthy & Restful Home series, I focus on using the proper lighting in your home. Common lighting and decorating issues include using harsh white light, not having enough light sources, and not using properly sized light fixtures in scale with the room or furniture.

7 Lighting tips to help you create a restful home:

1. Use the same type of light bulb in all light fixtures in the room. The light color needs to be the same in all the light sources in the room. Choose a soft or warm white LED bulb. Learn from Lowes and this Lightbulb Buying Guide.
2. Have multiple light sources to provide any task lighting you need, ambient and accent to create a soft and restful feeling.
3. Each room needs multiple sources of light, and three is optimal. If you rely solely on high-hat or recessed lighting, add lamps for ambient light. Choose table lamps that offer a 3-way to increase or decrease brightness.
4. Add the ability to dim overhead lights. As all bulbs are not dimmable, check that the bulbs have the capability before purchasing. 
5. If purchasing new lamps, follow the Ballard Design guidelines: Try keeping the lamps proportional to the tables they are sitting on. The bottom of the lampshade should be at eye level when you are seated.
6. A floor lamp is a perfect way to add lighting when there is no table. Arched floor lamps are fantastic for reading, whereas torchiere floor lamps can add light to a dark corner and a soft ambient lighted feeling. 
7. Create a fresh look by adding white shades to all the lamps in the room. Use the same shape for all lamps in a room.

After correcting any lighting issues in a room, it may be the paint color if it still feels drab or unappealing to you. Remember, light bounces off the wall and the things in the room. If you need help picking a new paint palette or pulling a room’s design together, call me at 610-955-8202 for a consultation.

Next week, I will focus on accessories and collectibles and how they can affect how we feel in our home.

By Debbie Correale, Redesign Right, LLC. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Houzz. Feature photo licensed from ShutterStock.