The importance of artificial lighting cannot be stressed enough.

Indeed it has enormous creative potential, turning a dull room into one full of interest and life, enhancing particular areas and items.

But at all times it should be remembered that lighting is essential to health and safety. Little good would be achieved by using light to decorate one feature when the shadows created possibly block the position of, say, a step.

First then consider the points and places in your home that require a source of light that is sufficient to illuminate each and every one. At this point, it might be well worth mentioning that the quality of artificial light will be affected by the colour of surrounding items.

Just as an example, a room with very dark carpet and walls, such a scheme will require a different approach than decorations of mostly cream.

Having approached the important points, then the use of more creative and mood lighting can be looked at.

Artificial light creates a pool of illumination, which in turn has a secondary effect. This being the production of light from a surface. Basically, a highly polished surface of coloured material will reflex light more effectively than a matt black surface, which will absorb light.

Indeed this is not a easy task to assess, even the most accomplished interior decorators can have problems with creating a totally satisfactory lighting scheme prior to the completion of a scheme. So many different aspects have to be considered, plus the continuing change of natural lighting, make this a very difficult task.

Initially, the colour of carpets, soft furnishings and wall coverings have to be used as a guide, and there are supposedly calculations which will help from there on, but often the completion of a scheme will not be achieved until the whole interior scheme has been put together en site.

In fact, do not penalise any interior designer for not competing the lighting, until after decorating has be finished.

Atmosphere can be created in a room scheme by the use of artificial lighting. Lighting of pacific objects, spot lighting for working or reading, mood lighting for specific areas etc. In most satisfactory domestic schemes, a combination of various types of lighting will be used.

Types of lighting:

Halogen lighting produces a much whiter crisp light, closer to sunlight, which is especially ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, although can be used with success in all areas. Halogen lamps also tend show up true colours which are truer to life, this makes a halogen lamp ideal for artwork, craft and reading tasks.

When there is an option choose low voltage for performance and ambience.

Fluorescent lighting can be whiter than tungsten, but not as white or crispas halogen, but fluorescent light, unlike tungsten and halogen, starts to deteriorate in colour and brightness from the first day of it’s operation. If fluorescent lighting is required for a particular application and whiter than white is required, try to obtain white tubes with a high phosphorous content.

Basics:

Measure the room area in square metres and multiply this figure by 25 for standard tungsten lighting, by 15 for halogen lighting, by 19 for compact fluorescent lighting.

Example:

A room that measures 26 square metres: using tungsten lighting would require a total wattage of 650wts which can be achieved by the use of:

2 x 3 light ceiling fittings with 60wt bulbs = 360wts

2 x 2 light wall brackets with 60wt bulbs = 240wts

1 x table lamp with 60wt bulb = 60wts

Generating a total of: = 660wts

For Halogen lighting you would use the same calculation, but use the figure 15 as your multiplier.

Sitting rooms, usually an area of relaxation, should be schemed accordingly, as should a dining room. Mood creations can be added with numerous lighting methods, but should be created with care and attention to the use of the room.

Halls, stairs and landing require special attention, with lights positioned to accent particular issues, like a turn in the stairs, low ceiling, as well as at the same time creating a welcoming affect to your home.

Kitchens and bathroom should have areas of importance highlighted with suitable artificial lights so that the room can be used efficiently.

Bedrooms require a combination of lighting to create both mood and also suitability for dressing etc.