Whenever I am opportune to talk about designing spaces to prospective Interior Designers, I love highlighting the importance of certain elements. In my last post, I spoke about lighting your kitchen, and I deemed it necessary to share about picking lights for your interior design project generally.

There are a lot of elements that brings life to a space. Lighting is one of those important elements on my list as a professional Interior Designer in Lagos Nigeria. Besides having a huge impact on aesthetics and functionality, it can also have profound effects on your mood, emotions, size of a space and general wellbeing. There are three types of basic lighting and they include: Ambient, Task and Accent lighting.

According to scientific research some of the psychological and physiological effects of light includes emotional (both positive and negative are felt more intensely under bright light). Excessive light at night can make sleeping difficult. Workers and students are happier when there is natural light. As a prospective Interior Designer, you need to understand the role lighting plays in your interior design projects. If the goal is either to design a home, a professional working environment or religious center, your choice of lighting should improve and complement the aesthetic, décor, functionality and relationships in that space.

Understanding how to implement an effective lighting strategy for your interior design project is an essential aspect of becoming a professional interior designer. To learn more, click on the link to join the new session of Simplinteriors School of Interior design, which is one of the Top Interior Design Schools in Lagos Nigeria.

Below are some factors to consider when choosing lights for you design projects:

• Points of interest, art work, and highlight areas
• Traffic patterns
• Shadows and reflections
• Daylight integrations
• Surface characteristics
• Color appearance
• Lighting controls and distribution
• Size and space
• Occupant’s age and preference
• Ceiling height and shape
• Color of walls and furniture
• Existing lights and electrical setups….

All of these factors will be individually explained in the just commenced class of Simplinteriors School of Interior Design and Entrepreneurship.

Stated below are some of the guidelines I use when choosing lights for some specific areas in my interior design projects: Entry ways, living rooms, dinning, kitchen and bedroom.

Entry WAYS: The name implies the entrance or the foyer, and it gives a first impressions hence the lighting in your foyer should create a warm, welcoming effect.  Lighting like hanging pendants, and wall sconces will work nicely here.

LIVING ROOMS: As important as natural lighting is in the living room this is the room that we spent most of our time so it is important to have easily controllable and functional lighting in this space.  Try to combine overhead lighting with a mix of floor and table lamps. Open shades and draperies to let daylight filter in.  Not only does it make your home look beautiful, but it saves energy too.

DINING ROOMS

This is also a very important area in an interior design project. This is where you spend time with family and friends sharing meals and hosting dinners hence the lighting option in your dining room is extremely important. Strategically placed pendant lights or chandeliers above the dining room.  It is a fantastic way to add drama and ambience.

Lighting is important in interior design and can have a dramatic effect on a room.  It has the power to change a space from being plain and uninviting, to warm and welcoming. Take time to plan for the lighting of your project that will suit the style and function of your space, and also enhance the ambience of your home.

To learn about the lucrative business of interior design, click on the link to register and start your journey to becoming the most sought after Interior designer in Lagos, Nigeria.