Illumination
Contrary to popular belief, oversized lights can make a greater impact than those that are proportionate to a room’s size. Here’s a quick look at how to go about lighting large
Use oversized lighting to create an impact proportionate to its size
Ever walked into a room and felt an inexplicable sense of comfort and ease that had nothing to do with the room’s ambient temperature or flattering lighting? Well, there’s a high chance that the room was designed according to golden ratio proportions. This ratio – 1:1.618 – is a mathematical sequence found in nature, and is said to have influenced art, music and architecture, including iconic structures like the Parthenon in Athens, Borobudur in Java, and the Taj Mahal in India. In interior design, the golden ratio is applied to the proportions of different elements that make up a room – windows, doors, furnishings and accessories – such that it creates an aesthetically pleasing overall look and feel. However, when decorating your space, the golden ratio should be treated as a general guideline and not a hard and fast rule. Depending on your layout and personal style, it could in fact be more interesting to break the rules. This creates a sense of the unexpected, and therefore, interest. For example, it’s commonly believed that tight or narrow spaces should not accommodate oversized objects. But it’s actually far more engaging to put an oversized item, such as a large-format painting, sculpture or pendant light, to dramatise the space. If it’s just a single statement piece you’re after, then our advice is to go for a large chandelier or lamp. The artistic or poetic nature of some of these pieces, as well as their ability to set the ambient mood with luminescence, means they perform double-duty. Here are some of our favourite options that do just that.