Awaken the magic

Good lighting can add new dimensions to flat paces, says Dipika Ramachandran
Good lighting design can awaken the magic in spaces and change a mood or improve productivity. It can transform flat and unappealing spaces into an entirely new dimensional arena. Get an expert to help you - good lighting involves knowledge of contrast ratios, luminance, illuminance, photometrics of lighting fixtures, depth, use of colour, task lighting requirements, correct lamp colour temperature, low-voltage track or cable systems, fiber optics, effective cove lighting systems, correct lighting for art, lighting control systems and much more. Natural light is a fantastic asset of any home, but the quality of the light depends on the aspect of the room. A north facing room receives the harsh rays of the sun, an east-facing room receives bright sunlight in the morning followed by long shadows and no light later in the day. Using artificial lighting controls glare and maximises the available natural light in north and east-facing rooms. South facing rooms have warm light all day, although it changes throughout the day and year. South-facing rooms are mainly chosen for the kitchen, main living areas and other rooms that have maximum utilisation. Westfacing rooms receive the sunlight at the hottest part of the day, which can cause glare. To maximise the use of natural light mirrors, curtains, glass windows and doors, panels or partitions are most often utilised. Ambient or background lighting plays the part of daylight and is usually provided by a central pendant light, a hangover from the days of gas lamps. It can be the source of most lighting problems as it creates a bland, flat effect. However, if you supplement general lighting with some or all of the other types, you'll end up with a great, flexible scheme. Staples include ceiling-mounted bowls, wall lights and standard lamps. Accent lighting gives texture, focus and shape to general lighting, adding depth and shade, with shadows in some corners and pools of light in others. It's formed by a mixture of halogen spotlights, downlighters, uplighters, tracks and table lamps. With the latter, opaque shades that direct light down and prevent it spilling out are used. Tracks are great for lighting different areas of a room. Task Lighting is what you need in order to do a specific job, whether it's reading, working at a computer, cooking, drawing or sewing. It needs to be focused on the area of use. If light seeps out, then that area is likely to get glare from other surfaces, especially computer screens. Lighting is of the utmost importance for creating the right ambience. By experimenting with different types of lighting, the mood of a room can change from calm and romantic to energising and vibrant. Create a bright, warm glow with a combination of subtle light sources with an emphasis on accent lighting. Reflective surfaces such as mirrors can be used to bounce candlelight around the room and crystals, mirror balls and reflective baubles are ideal for adding that extra sparkle. Depending on the occasion, use different-coloured lights and bulbs and adjust the flicker speed on lights for a party feel. Make a large room with high ceilings appear cosier, by adding several types of small lamps, singularly or in clusters to create low pools of light. Also, consider shadows when arranging your lights and add piercedlanterns or light shades to create unusual patterns on the walls and ceilings.
TNN, 10 Mar 07