Kentish Express Ashford & District
Those light-bulb moments
If you’re in need of a fresh fix, here’s how to light up your world in lockdown, says
Lighting in the home is really important, especially right now, when so many of us are spending twice as much time inside. While some of us will have switched on to the latest lighting trends and illuminated, enhanced and created the perfect ambience to unwind at the end of the day, chances are most of us won’t have thought about how a flicker of light, or sun streaming in during lockdown can affect our outlook, and mood.
Here are her top tips for lighting up your home from Ellie Coombs, a lighting designer – no electrician required...
“You can completely change your perception of a space depending on how you light it. Lots of diffused light on all the walls and ceiling will make the space feel spacious and open. Whereas lower levels of light in pools from lamps, just
Have fun and play with different lighting options – it’s a great way of making a space your own, can completely change the look and feel of a room at a flick of a switch, and without physically touching the property itself
where you need them, will make the space much more intimate and cosy. You may be spending all your time in just one space, but it doesn’t have to feel like the same space.”
“You can resolve the fact you don’t have any lighting control by purchasing a smart lighting kit. Add it to your home Wi-Fi, download an app and then connect smart lighting products to your phone. You can then set timers to wake you up and create lighting scenes and moods for your home, all from the touch of a button. No electrician needed.”
“A lot of us have open-plan living spaces, and we’re spending all our time in one
space during the lockdown. If you have under-cupboard lighting in the kitchen, try using it in the evening, to add some soft, ambient light.
Use the brighter, high-level lights only when you’re cooking. If you are thinking about re-doing your kitchen lighting in the future, think about positioning. It’s important to light the work surfaces and not create shadows, rather than having a grid of lighting across the entire space.”
“Experiment with a movable task light to highlight a piece of art or favourite sculpture. Grab a table lamp on an extension lead and play with it - move it to different places to see what works. Then contract an electrician to install something permanent when lockdown is over.”
“With all the new LED and energy-saving bulbs on offer, choosing the right one has never been so complicated but always buy light bulbs from reputable manufacturers... they may be more expensive, but they will last longer, give you a better quality of light and avoid any safety concerns.
“The more we can use natural daylight at home, the less we use electricity. Even if you can’t position your home desk near a window, try to have your lunch break outside or near a window. Think about where daylight comes from, at which time of the day, and learn its natural cycle. Maybe think about moving a comfy chair to a window that catches the sun at lunchtime. That way, you’re more likely to sit there.”