Indoor Design

Light up a small room: the rules for functional and comfortable light


Posted On 21 January 2022

To date, most of the architecture for modern homes has abandoned the idea of separating the various rooms in favor of one open space with a living room and kitchen.

This choice is often dictated by the desire of the designer and the clients to make the most of the available square footage and to fully experience every area of the house.

This, however, does not exclude that the part intended for the living room may remain small or not very bright, depending on its size.

Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to play with functional and comfortable lighting, which can make a small room seem bigger.

We will go into detail about:

 

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Cupido

How to make a room larger with the right lighting

In your projects, you will surely illuminate apartments, especially in the city, where large and spacious living areas are not always possible.

Therefore, it is necessary to resort to some expedients to make the room in question larger with the help of lighting.

A general indication that is always valid is to choose indirect but powerful lighting to avoid shadow areas.

However, it is important not to mix cold light with warm light: instead, opt for a dimmer to modulate the brightness.

In detail, the best way to light up a small room is to use diffused lights. These lights make the boundaries less clear and create a more dreamlike atmosphere.

First of all, you need to identify the points you want to enhance, and then point the lights towards them.

For example, you can put a beautiful floor lamp next to the sofa, bringing your attention to that part of the room.

 

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The advantages and disadvantages of suspension lamps

Suspension lamps can be excellent allies to enhance a strategic point of the room, especially when the dining area is integrated into the living room.

Aiming a suspension lamp, or even more than one, directly at the table will allow you to create a pleasant atmosphere that will encourage conviviality.

The spherical shape is used the most, and generally, the most suitable height at which a suspension lamp should hang is about 70 cm from the top of the table.

As a result, suspension lamps work well in rooms with a dining table.

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It should also be said, however, that in a small room, it is better to avoid inserting a classic ceiling lamp, as it offers a zenith light and doesn't provide light to the corners, running the risk of making the room even smaller.

To overcome this gap, you should opt for perimeter lighting with warm spotlights. They will embrace the walls with the light, opening up the whole room.

If, in any case, you do not want to give up the ornamental effect of a suspension lamp, you can install the one you prefer, as long as you integrate perimeter lighting into the edge of the ceiling and a lamp with a lampshade. In this way, you will ensure adequate lighting for a small space that does not affect the visual result.

 

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Cell

Wall lights and LEDs: the best solution to light up a small room

An excellent solution for illuminating a small room are wall lights since you can install them directly on the walls to give space to the whole room without creating clutter.

So far we have talked about warm light installations, since on a functional level the only cold light allowed is that of the LED strips and spotlights, which represent a design and economic idea, through which you can give free rein to your creativity.

For example, you can place these installations along the walls or around the furniture to illuminate a certain point of the room. As a result, you will get a particular visual perception of depth.

 

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Stant

Illuminating with the layering effect

To properly light up a small room, the best solution is layered lighting: these are different types of lamps that are used at the same time to give an optical effect of greater depth to the room and create different atmospheres.

To better understand what is meant by layered lighting, in a small living room you can, for example, install spotlights on the ceiling and also insert a floor lamp next to the sofa to recreate a more welcoming dim corner.

The floor lamp is another secret weapon that stratifies the room, giving an even wider visual perspective.

In addition, just turn off a lamp to immediately change the lighting, depending on the desired degree.

Furthermore, if the room you need to illuminate in your project has a study corner or an important shelving unit, the most suitable light will come from a table lamp with opaque lampshades and closed light beams that will highlight the furniture.

In short, when it comes to layered lighting, the keyword is: volume. This will ensure that the space acquires movement and, consequently, gives a visual perception of greater amplitude than its real size, which also has a positive effect on the emotional state of those who live in that environment.

 

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Ti . Vedo

Opening up a room with light: pay attention to details

The room will be more beautiful the more light points it has. You can insert the lighting fixtures in such a way as to cover the whole room evenly, without shadows and without blinding your guests.

But be careful: although a well-lit room will seem larger, if it is illuminated too much, the effect will be the opposite. Excess light compromises the feeling of depth, creating a suffocating effect.

Furthermore, you should avoid spotlights that are too powerful and direct. Alternatively, you can opt for others with an open beam and diffused light, which can be directed towards the walls or furniture.

Pointing the light beam towards the walls and the furniture is an excellent solution to avoid the risk of exaggerating with the light points. The light, bouncing off the walls and furniture, will delicately fill the whole environment, making the few light points functional to expand the visual effect and comfortable because there is no risk of blinding.

Finally, install light points in windows, bookcases, and shelves, or insert perimeter lighting on a piece of furniture, table, or in the TV area. These are the most effective methods for giving depth to spaces occupied by furniture, which can actually make them appear smaller.

For this solution, you just need to be careful not to illuminate large furniture elements, as they can saturate the available space.

Do you want to learn more about this topic? For more information, support, and assistance in choosing the right lamp models for your emotional lighting project, do not hesitate to contact us at this link. We are at your complete disposal.

 

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Camilla Rossi

AUTHOR

Camilla Rossi

WHO WE ARE

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Karman, an Italian company, was founded in 2005 in Fossombrone. The company's world moves itself with simplicity towards an original and personal decorative use of lighting in both private surroundings and public spaces.

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