Creating Ambience

It’s important to think about how your lighting scheme will work for ambience when substituting daylight, or as task lighting when there’s a need for practicality or if the room is to double as a workroom. You also need to think about how you can create atmosphere through accent lighting.   Think carefully about how you want different areas of the room to look and feel. For example, you may wish to create a relaxing atmosphere in a bedroom space and adjoining en suite bathroom, but if the room is to double as a study area during the day, you will also need good lighting under which to work.   

Types of Lighting

Different types of lighting to consider include:   

· Low-Energy Lights: If you want to reduce both your energy bill and your carbon footprint, low energy lights are a good option in any room. Remember that some patience is required with this type of lighting, as they burn brighter the longer they are on and therefore may not be best for work areas where strong light is often required instantly.   

· Halogen Spotlights: These lights are known for their brightness and are most commonly used to mimic daylight. If your room lacks natural light, these are a good choice as ceiling lights.   

· Directional Spotlights: If you want to create a design statement and are lucky enough to have exposed beams within your new loft conversion, why not use directional spotlights to point the light exactly where you need it?   

· Wall Sconces: Where you have a large expanse of wall space, such as a gable end, wall sconces are a great way of adding accent light to create atmosphere as they generally give off a softer light than ceiling lights.   

· Free Standing Lamps: Free standing lamps are another excellent way of adding atmospheric accent light as they can be placed as and where you like to match your interior design scheme. Once you have been using your new room for a few months, you may wish to add free standing lamps in areas where you feel they are required.   

Dimmer is not Dumber!

And finally, putting all lights on a dimmer switch is one of the best interior design moves you can make in your new room, as you can control how much light is given out at any point during the day or night.   George Clarke of Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces says: “Get the artificial lighting right in lofts. They can only become beautiful and romantic spaces if the lighting is right at night. Make sure you put all lights on dimmer switches to give you maximum flexibility.”[1]   And we couldn't agree more! So get planning those lighting schemes, and if you need help with any aspect of your new loft conversion, feel free to ask for a quote from Bespoke Lofts.   

[1] GeorgeClarke.com: http://georgeclarke.com/top-tips/lofts-not-finished/. Last viewed 4th January 2015.