Lighting is Magic
Yes you can make magic happen in your home with lighting!
Lighting is magic. Lighting can make a huge difference in how your home looks and feels. You have probably heard that layering your lighting, and having three sources such as overhead lighting, table or floor lamps and task lighting is important. But what does that really mean and how does it look? And is that all you need to do to really get the look you are going for? I find that lighting is a problem for many people when I do design consultations. For some reason, here in Alaska there are many homes that do not even have overhead lighting in the main living area. Many people do not have enough layered light sources. It can leave your room feeling uninspired, as well as make it difficult to do whatever tasks you want to do in your space.
Beautiful Lighting is Perfect for a Party
I recently created this Edesign which I thought would be a great example to show you what I mean when I say, “create magic with lighting”.
I wanted to create a room that would be perfect for an elegant adult Birthday party that could be used as a virtual background for Zoom events.
I created this room with a sideboard with the Birthday cake and other goodies as well as an area for wine and cocktails. The side tables are set with cocktail glasses and the coffee table with wine and cheese. Birthday presents are stacked on the floor near two of the chairs.
What do you want your light to highlight?
The design and colors were inspired by my fractal art, “Deep Purple” which I used over the sideboard. The paint color was selected to work with the art. I chose to create this room in a city and used modern furnishings. I would call this Modern Global Style.
Natural Daylight
My first render of the space was done in using natural day light. Notice how the wall color looks, and how the accents for the party stand out, or should I say blend in, in the render.
Night Lighting- One Layer
I decided to try a night scene and play with the lighting to create a more “magical” atmosphere. In this render, I only used overhead lighting. Notice the change in how the paint color appears (a little washed out). The rug colors also appear dull. Still, the party accents do not really stand out.
Night Lighting- 2 Layers
Next, I dimmed the overhead lights and I added light to the two lamps on the end tables so there was a second layer of light. This brought back a little of the richness of the paint color and a little more color to the rug. Still, the party accents do not really stand out.
Night Lighting- 5 Layers
Finally, I turned off some of the overhead lights, and made other brighter over the end tables and coffee table to highlight the food and other goodies. I added accent lights over the art and sideboard to make them really stand out. I added up lighting under the trees so they would sparkle. The additional layers of controlled and directed light showed off all the different colors of the paint and really made it come alive. I changed the color of light in the lamps to make it warmer. And voila, magic!!
Here are some other views of the room. Notice how the lighting highlights different aspects of the party atmosphere.
In summary, to create a beautiful lighting plan for your room, layer your lighting, control the lighting brightness, direction and color and add lighting to highlight the aspects of your room that are important such as your focal points and art.
Need Help with Your Design?
Are you getting ready for a special event or need help creating a little magic in your home? Try one of my Edesign services.my Aligned Design consultation or my coaching call.
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What a fun concept to do a zoom party room! And an excellent exercise to show how the layers of lighting affect the mood of the room. I think lighting is one of the easiest {and most often overlooked} ways to transform a space!
Thanks Janet! Lighting definitely makes a difference when bringing a room from looking great to adding that “wow” factor!
Mary Ann: These renderings are SO good! Wow. I am impressed. I love this post and how you’ve showed us how much of a difference lighting makes in the overall atmotphere of a room!
Mary Ann: These renderings are SO good! Wow. I am impressed. I love this post and how you’ve showed us how much of a difference lighting makes in the overall atmosphere of a room!
Thank you so much Leslie! This was a fun one to do! It took more time to really play around with all the lights to get the effect I wanted but it was worth it!
Your renderings are amazing and such a great example of the mood and ambiance lighting can create in a room. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks so much Lisa! Great lighting is really worth the effort to experience that magical mood whenever you choose.
This is a great illustration on the power of great, layered lighting. I agree with you and see similar things in my projects. Lighting is horrible and I’m not sure what builders are thinking when they do the bare minimum. It definitely has me scratching my head.
By the way, I love the room and ‘theme’ you used to create your renderings. Your fractal art is stunning and a great inspirational piece.
Thank you Sheri! It is amazing how much bad lighting there is out there. How can people live in a main living are with no overhead lighting? I often wonder too what the builders are thinking! And thanks for the compliment on my art! That deep purple color really speaks to me:)
You are singing my song Mary Ann along with other designers, I am sure, regarding lighting. But, you went way over the top with your amazing rederings to support how lighting can definitely be magic.
Oh thank you so much!! I am glad you enjoyed it and I certainly loved making them!
This was amazing information! The renderings helped so much to visualize! Thank you for the information!
Thanks Suzi, I am so glad it was helpful. It is one of the concepts that is hard to visualize and seeing it makes all the difference.
What a great article on what you can accomplish with lighting. It really takes the trained eye of a designer to know how to apply to different room!
Thank you Christina, it certainly helps get the outcome you want!
What a great way to show the difference that lighting makes!
Thank you so much Christina!
Wow, this is an impressive post!! Love ALL Your tips on lighting and how you share the steps to create this amazing purple space. Your work is indeed magical!
Thank you so much Deborah!
I love love layered lighting, you are so right- nothing brings magic to a room like lighting. Thank-you for all your great ideas.
Thank you Pamela, me too! It really does create the most amazing mood and texture in a room!
Love the renderings, wow! You’re so right, lighting can make (or break) a room. It’s so important. Well done, Mary Ann. Love this post.
Thank you Chari!