"Hi! I have just moved into a new condominium,..."
Q: Hi! I have just moved into a new condominium and although the builder did an OK job with a variety of lighting I still feel I need to give it some more attention to create the mood and look I want. How can I create different moods without making it too cold?
A: Lighting can be the most important and economical element of home design. Almost any room can be made to look better and to function more effectively with the right lighting. Interior lighting can be divided into three basic categories, related to the different visual requirements you may have.
General: overall or background lighting, which provides illumination after dark; this can be achieved in two ways, either by using one central light source, or by using a variety of individual lights. Example: spotlights in the ceiling, wall sconces, or a floor lamp.
Task: concentrated lighting used to illuminate one area brightly, such as a work surface, desk or reading chair. Task lighting can also be used to highlight particular objects or features in a room such as paintings or plants.
Atmospheric: light used for effect, to provide shadow and subtle illumination. Lights placed low in the room that wash the wall or an object with light will create different moods; try using Can lights on the floor below a plant to create exotic shadows. Finally, the addition of dimmers will allow you flexibility to change the intensity of the light in any room, but even more subtle are candles placed around the room in safe areas to add flickers of light to create the ultimate atmosphere to enjoy on a quiet night.