7 lighting mistakes that we are all guilty of making

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Lighting is one of those aspects of design that can completely make or break a decor, and yet we rarely give it the thorough consideration it deserves. When a room is too dark it feels cold and damp, it shrinks our perception of the size of the space, and it prevents the decor from looking its best. On the other hand if a room is too bright it can feel sterile and overwhelming, looking more like a shopping mall than a house.

That's why today we're going to take a look at some common lighting mistakes we all make, and discuss how to avoid them by showing you the spectacular work of our homify professionals. The key is to find a balance between keeping your home well illuminated but still cosy and intimate, while treating lighting as a design feature rather than a practicality. How you go about this depends entirely on the space you're working with, but with these tips you'll become a master of lighting, sure to never make these mistakes again!

1. The dining room is too bright

The dining room is a place of relaxation, where you can share a meal and a drink with friends and family to unwind after a long day. Bright glaring lights are going to ruin the mood, and make your dining room feel like a food court. Combat this with intimate ambient lighting that will cast romantic shadows across the room, and make your dining table feel cosy and personal.

2. Forgetting about the garden

If you've put as much effort into your garden or patio as they have here, then you want to be able to enjoy it even after the sun has gone down. 

Lighting up your garden will give it a sense of magic, and there's a ton of fantastic ways to do it, but our favourite has to be lanterns. These traditional lanterns cast a warm ethereal glow that really complements the asian influence on the garden, while lights above the patio mean you can enjoy your garden deep into the night.

3. Lights that are bland and boring

Most people don't think of much more than a bulb hanging from the ceiling when it's time to sort out the lights for a room, completely ignoring the possibility for really artistic light fixtures that will complement the decor. 

With an elevated platform for the bed, the decorators of this room have used recessed lighting below the step, both for safety, and decoration, while on the ceiling we find yet more recessed lighting, and some really unique light shades that look like modernist artworks!

4. A dark hallway

Because hallways are generally small spaces, and rarely have windows to let natural light in, they can feel incredibly dark and claustrophobic. 

Counter this by adequately lighting your hallway with plenty of lights and lamps. If you can use beautiful light shades like they have here it's an added bonus that will make a huge impact on the decor, just check out all the fantastic options available!

5. Uniniviting kitchens

The kitchen is perhaps the most important room in the house as far as getting the lighting right. Because kitchens can become so grimy it's really important that it is well illuminated so that you don't forget about spills or messes that can quickly grow bacteria and mould. On top of that between the sharp knives and hot surfaces the kitchen can be a dangerous place, so ensure you can always see exactly what you're doing by ensuring there is adequate lighting.

6. Lighting doesn't match the decor

Lighting is often an afterthought when it comes to design, but it should be as integral to the process as choosing a theme or colour palette. Choose lights that complement the decor, such as these gorgeous hanging light shades that when illuminated take on the hue of the timber that defines this dining area, while their interesting texture looks great with the rustic theme.

7. The wrong balance in the bathroom

Like the kitchen, there's a lot of practical reasons why you want to get the lighting in the bathroom just right. It's important for keeping on top of the cleaning, and because we do a lot of our grooming and getting ready in the bathroom, you need to be able to clearly see what you're doing. 

On the other hand, the bathroom is a personal space, and if the lights are too much it can leave people feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable. This bathroom has solved that with recessed lighting by the sink that ensures you can trust the image in the mirror, without overwhelming the room with sterile light.

We've all made this mistakes, and now it's time to make them right! For more great home tips check out this article on the best ways to display artwork in your home.

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