In the past it was considered extremely daring to rely upon any fittings beyond that wonderful thing which dangled from a rose in the centre of the ceiling; that most ugly and in-the-way of lights, the standard lamp; and the odd table lamp the size of (and frequently the shape of) a melon. The result too often was that the room took on a flat one-dimensional quality, it felt unwelcoming and even a simple task such as sewing was impossible in anything other than daylight.
These days we have no excuses. The range and sophistication of fittings available, principally as a result of developments in the commercial world of shopfitting, gallery illumination and stage-lighting, allow us to recreate in our own homes the most magical of effects. We should think of lighting as a wonderful tool that can bring our rooms to life; a magic pot of light into which we are going to dip our brush - only to drop it in pools around the room.
A string of downlighters recessed into a specially constructed cornice highlights the important features in this stylish living room.
Particularly effective is the lighting of the over-all furnitures against the enclosed area.
For more Lighting trends and Lighting fitting ideas from Pinterest, click here.
For more Lighting fitting ideas from Pinterest, click here.
Selecting the right fitting
Once you have established your lighting aims it is time to choose the fittings which will help you achieve your plan. The most important thing to remember when setting on a style of lighting is that the performance of a particular fitting has to be considered first and foremost rather than the decorative value of the lamp itself. Will the light cast be of a suitable quality and will it fall in the right place?
Another problem to be faced is whether or not it is acceptable to mix lighting styles within the same room. Can modern fittings be introduced into a traditional interior, for instance? The answer depends very much upon your own personal preference. Generally speaking, provided that the modern fittings in a period interior are discreet (and preferably recessed into the ceiling), these will not conflict with older elements in the room.
A point frequently ignored when planning light levels is the effect of the chosen colour scheme. A predominant pastel scheme (especially one that incorporates white walls and a white ceiling) and one with shiny surfaces will require less light wattage, as light is reflected off the various surfaces, than a darker scheme or one which has matt surfaces, where light is absorbed. In the case of the darker scheme, you may need to double the wattage or number of fittings.
Types of Fittings
There are many types of fittings available, and these are categorized below.
Ceiling Lights
Ceiling lights can be classified as: traditional pendant, chandelier, fluorescent strip, lantern, spot, downlighter and wall washer, the last three of which may be recessed, surface-mounted or track-mounted.
A useful source of overall lighting, the pendant is probably the most common of all fittings. It tends to cast a rather deadening light, but this can be overcome by installing a dimmer switch so that your scheme does not rely so entirely on this one source but on others dotted around the room. Spotlights, downlighters and wall washers can provide a wonderfully focused beam to highlight precious pieces, but care must be taken to avoid glare from the bulb (especially in low-ceilin rooms). The selection of bulb is critical - the colour of light produced and width of beam vary enormously.
For more Lighting Fitting ideas from Pinterest, click here.
For more Lighting Fitting ideas from Pinterest, click here.
Wall Lights
Wall lights may take the form of: traditional bracket, uplighter, downlighter, picture light, strip light or angle-arm.
Modern or traditional, they can be chosen to throw light up, down or out. There are various theories about what is the best height for positioning wall fittings, but as a rule eye-level (say, around 1.5m / 5ft) is a good starting point. Because of their prominent positioning, care should be taken to select fittings that are attractive in themselves. Picture lights, on the other hand, should be a unobstrusive as possible, blending with the picture frame. By attaching the picture light to the frame itself (rather than to the wall) and running a cable behind the picture to a small wall socket, you will have greater flexibility should you decide to substitute the current picture for one of a different size.
For more Lighting Fitting ideas from Pinterest, click here.
Floor / Table Lamps
The floor/ table lamp category covers such fittings as the standard lamp, uplighter, table lamp, desk lamp, angle-poise.
As these lights are not fixed to floor, wall or ceiling, they offer the greatest degree of flexibility. The traditional standard lamp has come of age - it is now available in a streamlined version, usually made of brass and with a weighted base for stability. Some types even have a telescopic stem, which allows the height to be adjusted - an altogether ideal lamp for use where there is little space and no convenient table upon which to stand a lamp. Table lamps provide a convenient source of decorative lighting, while at the same time introducing a soft (filtered by the shade) pool of light. What better way to illuminate a group of related objects or a flower arrangement on a table top?
For more Lighting Fitting ideas from Pinterest, click here.
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