Lighting Design Tricks for a Sexy Home
“Lighting is everything. It can change and alter architecture. It can make art look more important. It can raise the ceiling of a room. It can create a mood.”
“Alexa play Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye”
Whether this topic makes you feel a little uncomfy or you can’t wait to read every last detail of this blog post, I think we can all agree we love to look and feel sexy, so let me show you how you can use lighting to make you and your guests look sexier.
You should feel the sexiness gently glowing within your sacred home once the sun starts to dip into the horizon. Doesn’t that sound so incredibly wonderful? Every day the sun will set and every day you will watch your home glow just for you, and trust me you will glow back.
Keep Lighting Low
If you are having trouble visualizing what overhead lighting looks and feels like think of a target fitting room or an uncomfortably bright conference room. We’ve all experienced it. I’ll be honest it’s hard for me to post any “interior” on our little corner of the internet that is not beautifully tasteful, BUT… sometimes driving home the point is more important.
DON’T
The recessed and florescent ceiling lighting in the kitchen and conference room below do not serve them well. It comes off harsh and unflattering.
See what I mean! Kick those recessed cans to the curb! You may say, BUT WHAT ABOUT FOR THE KITCHEN! I am not totally opposed to using functional overhead lighting in kitchens, but I would recommend swapping out overhead lighting with pendant lighting. The trick is to light the surfaces you use and keep direct overhead lighting away from landing… well … directly overhead, so primarily and seating areas.
DO
Don’t you feel so much cozier? I love the warmth emanating from these kitchens. They feel welcoming and personal and allow the space to completely transform from day-to-night. Try and tell me these spaces don’t feel sexier than their “don’t” counterparts. Replacing & elevating your fixture is always fun, but you’ll be in awe of the magic just switching the bulbs can do! Check out tip number 2 for a guide on light temperature.
2. Lighting Temperature
It’s about to get hot in here! Let’s talk about light temperature.
What kind of lighting is always your sexy go to? You know it. It’s candlelight! Warm lighting makes us all look and feel better.
Warm light bulb temperatures in Kelvin (Soft white, warm white) are usually preferred in living spaces like bedrooms and living rooms that don’t require intense, blue light. In fact, warm lighting can create an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation in living spaces throughout your home.
Color temperature : 2700K to 3000K
3. Varied Lighting
This is one of those design tricks you don’t know works until you see the magic in person. Lighting should be on three level. One example, a chandelier, sconces flanking both sides of your artwork, & a floor or table lamp. You will know when you’re successful when you turn off all of your “big lights”, overhead lights, and your room glows. Turn on a playlist of autumn jazz on spotify and see how much you love your space at night!
Makeup? Let CRIs do the work.
CRI stands for Color Rendering Index. The color rendering index is a measurement of how well the light displays color. The closer to 100, the better, more natural, and truer colors look under the light.
Light sources with a CRI of 80 to 90 are regarded as “good” and those with a CRI of greater than 90 are excellent! For the most flattering light that shows colors in the most natural and vivid way, choose bulbs or fixtures with a CRI of 90 to 100. The closer to 100 the CRI of your light is, the more likely you and your surroundings will look clear, bright and have the coloration you’d see if you were outdoors in natural daylight. In other words, closer the CRI is to 100 the better.
Chat Soon!
