Have you ever wondered why you sometimes feel happier on a sunny day? Or why you can’t fall asleep after using your phone right before bedtime? Most of us don’t realise how much lighting affects our mood and how important it is to choose the right light for our home.
Studies have shown that exposure to bright white light can make you more alert, as the light stimulates our minds and makes us more productive. Furthermore, a whiter light creates more contrast between the printed word and background – often making it easier to read.
Choosing a warm, more soothing light can help quieten our senses and relax us. Maybe an effect we seek when arriving home from a long day at work!
When choosing light for your room, the most important consideration is the role that room will play in your life and how you wish to utilise the space. Will you have more than one need? Can you build flexibility into your lighting by using a dimmer or controlling the light with more than one switch? Lighting can be from more than one plane, wall lighting and table or floor lamps used also provide flexibility and a feeling of wellbeing in an area. How high are your ceilings? Do you have space for that piece of lighting art you desire? That piece can be the wow factor for your space!
*Study by Professor Alison Jing Xu of University of Toronto Scarborough in Canada. Read more: https://www.medicaldaily.com/ambient-lighting-affects-decision-making-emotional-intensity-269967
So how can we use this information in our home you may ask?
- Bright light is great for task illumination and ideal for places you undertake tasks.
- Choose a warm light for your bedroom to help you relax.
- Make sure to get the maximum use out of natural light (eg. Big windows, skylights etc.).
- Consider flexibility of lighting eg. a dining area may be multifunctional, ie used for an intimate dining experience or for children to undertake homework.
- Rooms you spend a lot of time in, like a living room, may require various roles and therefore required to be multi-functional.
We are always happy to answer any queries about lighting up your world!
Moonlight Lighting