HOME BY SARAH SUYDAM
LIGHT IT UP! How Lighting Can Elevate Your Mood and Transform Your Space
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Have you ever been in a space and the vibe is just … off ? Often,
lighting is the culprit. Research indicates that warmer lighting is most associated with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere perfect for being creative and socializing, while cooler lighting is more suited for when you need to be most alert and ready to focus on the task at hand. And while preferences vary, more and more folks are recognizing how inf luential lighting can be in a space, especially within your home, where you’re meant to feel the most at ease.
WHAT MAKES LIGHTING “GOOD?” According to Julie Chesla, Lighting Consultant for Grand Rapids Lighting Center, lighting sets the general tone of a room’s environment, as it inf luences the appearance of wall colors, the shadow patterns cast by objects within your space and can make a room appear larger or smaller. “Good lighting can brighten up a space and make it feel open, larger and inviting, while bad lighting can make it feel dark, dreary and smaller,” Chesla explained. “Good lighting, without glare, also reduces eye fatigue and headaches.” Chesla notes that lighting can also affect your mood, as it can stimulate the production (or lack thereof ) of serotonin and melatonin. “Keep in mind, blue light suppresses levels of melatonin helping us stay awake and alert while red light increases levels
“Just be sure to install dimmable bulbs and with the compatible
of melatonin helping our bodies get ready for bed,” Chesla said.
dimmer so the fixtures work correctly,” she said, noting that
“The higher the kelvin temperature in your bulb or light fixture,
adding table and f loor lamps or wall sconces to any space is also
the bluer the color of the light emitted. Bedroom lighting should
effective. “These items add an extra layer of lighting and come in
have a lower kelvin temperature to make it easier to sleep, while
so many different designs that also can double as a home décor
kitchens and bathrooms need brighter lighting, making a higher
piece.”
kelvin temperature more suitable.”
A bonus? Table and f loor lamps are portable, meaning they can be placed anywhere an extra hint of light is needed and adjusted
WHAT YOU CAN DO A great way to up the cozy factor in a room, Chesla says, is to
accordingly if you ever decide to switch the room’s layout around. Wall sconces can also simply be plugged in for a quick installation
replace any existing switches with dimmers, as they allow you the
wherever you need a dash of light. You’d be surprised just how
f lexibility to match your mood in any given moment.
much these little touches can entirely reinvigorate your space!
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