Lighting is one of the most important ways we can provide ambience in our home. Lighting should be one of the first items that is thought about when designing a home. It is obvious in houses where the lights have not been given due consideration as there are often standing lamps and other lights that need separate switches or loose wires on display. A significant amount of time should be given to planning the lights in a home before you start decorating so that you can be sure you get it just right. This article acts as a guide to planning your home lighting.

The first step towards planning your lighting is to think about the function of the room. Let's take the bedroom as an example:

Depending on who the bedroom belongs to will depend on how the lighting is designed. Students, for example, will need good "task lighting" as this is likely to illuminate an area in which they will be studying. Failure to have adequate lighting for a desk will mean reading is difficult and studying will not be possible. Couples need individual bedside lights so they can be turned off at different times, a baby's room may need lights on a dimmer switch so that it is possible to check in without disturbing them. If exercise equipment or a television is in the room then additional task lighting may be required too. Older people will need very good lighting, particularly by their beds so reading is easy. Bright lights benefit from being shaded lightly so the glare is reduced but the lighting power is not. A dressing table will need lights on both sides so that shadows across your face are reduced making the application of makeup much easier. This list could continue.

This demonstrates the importance of planning the type of lighting required in a room. The appearance of the lighting is just as important as its function. Very traditional or rustic homes will not look good with modern spot lights or contemporary designs. Conversely, antique or traditional light fittings won't work in a very modern home. Make sure that you have an idea of how the rest of the room will be furnished and decorated so you can purchase lights that blend in well. Failure to do so will leave the room mismatched and even a little uncomfortable to sit in.

Most rooms benefit from one central hanging light. One of the most frustrating design faults in a house is having a light that hangs too low and means people bang their heads as they walk underneath it. Avoid this by measuring the space correctly and double checking it before purchasing a light. It is also a mistake to buy lights that are too big for a box room or too small for a very large room. Proportion is very important and should be considered early on.

It is possible to make a few lighting additions in the home once the main design has been completed. To provide an extra layer of ambience, fairy lights are a great way to add style in a simple and cost effective way. They can be used in a whole variety of ways to add extra interest into a room. Hung from the wall, wrapped around the banisters or framing a mirror or head board, indoor fairy lights work really well to provide additional lighting in a room. They come in a whole variety of sizes and shapes so all tastes and styles are catered for. They are a fun and cheap way to bring a bit of sparkle into a room. White fairy lights in particular work brilliantly and when used at night provide plenty of atmosphere in any space they are placed.