LIGHTING FOR ALL SPACES

A pool of warm, ambient light emanates from a bedside lamp, the conical shade creating an arc to illuminate the room in a softer glow. The wider brim of the shade allows the rays to spread from the top and bottom of the lamp, resulting in a pattern of light and shadow. Choosing certain designs will disperse the light differently. For instance, a bell lampshade made from an elegant skirt-shaped cone, with a curved brim, allows the light to pool downwards, whereas a square lampshade creates more angular patterns of light. Specific rooms in the home also require different types of lighting; the bedroom often benefits from a softer light, with lamps to brighten dark corners, which is useful for reading without disturbing others. More utilitarian rooms, such as the kitchen or dining area, require brighter lighting to illuminate the whole space, which is ideal for food preparation or to converse at mealtimes. For these rooms, floor lamps or ceiling lights are preferable.