Courtney Lake is a highly respected interior designer whose work has appeared in print and television including Life & Style, Dabble Magazine, House of Fifty, and the Nate Berkus Show. Here, Courtney offers our readers a guest blog post designed to offer tips on using light with design. One of the key factors I take into consideration when designing a space is light. Where is it coming from, how much of it a room has, and during what times is the space best lit – all of these factors are calculated into my overall design. Yet when all is said and done, natural light is only half the equation. Selecting the proper fixtures for a space is equally important in helping to create the right atmosphere. I tend to divide my lighting needs into three general buckets: ambient, task and spotlight. Each of these types of lighting is needed to create a mood that elevates a space merely from good to great.

Ambient Lighting

The selection of ambient lighting sets the framework for a lighting plan, and when working with builders and contractors, ambient lighting is a significant portion of our overall design plan. And remember, establishing the ambient lighting plan at the beginning of the design process, as with so many elements of design, will reduces costs. During the planning phase, we plot out overhead lights, chandeliers, sconces and other hardwired elements. Standard recessed lights/pot lights have a lighting arc of 9 feet and, to avoid lighting “hot spots,” I like to have the arcs overlap; so plan on laying out your pots every 5-6 feet based on a standard 8-9 foot ceiling. In addition to recessed lighting, I would include chandeliers into this general category. Many times, the addition of a chandelier into a space is more decorative than functional. They provide wonderful ambient lighting and help create a mood, regardless of if the lighting is in the dining room (traditional) or in a bathroom (fun!). Remember, a chandelier that is not in scale to the room can completely throw off a room’s dynamic. To figure out the proper size for a light fixture, measure the length and width of the room. Then add those two measurements together and convert the sum to inches. This new number is the diameter of the appropriate sized light fixture for the space.

Task Lighting

Specific lighting, or task lighting, not only serves the function of allowing particular activities to occur, like cooking or reading, it also serves as an opportunity to put in “functional sculpture,” which is how I look at lamps and sconces. When hanging pendants in a kitchen, I like the pendant to be 36” to 40” above the work surface. It allows for adequate lighting with head clearance for people less than 6 feet – there’s nothing worse than banging your head when you lean across your kitchen island! When placing lamps in a room, I like to use dark shades, which allows me to direct the light downward where it is needed. The size of the lamp will depend upon how the lamp’s intended use, but I tend to like lamps around 30” – visually they are substantive but they still cast enough light downward to illuminate. Sconces should be at eye level or 3” lower, otherwise they are too high and their illumination is lost.

Task lighting in bathrooms presents unique challenges, but following one simple rule can alleviate a majority of issues: first, avoid overhead lighting when possible. Light fixtures above mirrors create exaggerated shadows. When possible, always place fixtures on either side of a bathroom mirror for more even lighting. A final note on bathroom fixtures is that if they are being mirror mounted, pay special attention to the back of them as that will be reflected.

Spotlights

Highlighting specific pieces of art, objects or drawing the eye towards a particular view are all characteristics of “spotlights”. The main rule in choosing spotlights is to avoid creating harsh shadows, so avoid lights with lower wattages. I personally like 40-watt bulbs and lower for this type of lighting. While halogens and LED lights have become industry standards, look for options that are frosted or have a “soft glow” feature. These options temper the blue-white light that can distort color perception. Choosing the proper lighting for a room doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Choose wisely using the tips above and it can be a truly transformative experience for your space. Courtney Lake is a Bay Area based interior designer and blogger behind the popular lifestyle blog, Courtney Out Loud. His work has appeared in print and television including Life & Style, Dabble Magazine, House of Fifty and the Nate Berkus Show.