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Lighting makes a significant impact on how your home feels – from the mood induced to the functionality one can expect.
However, you can make your family home warmer by using the right lighting cues to create a warm atmosphere for spending time with the family inside.
Here are a few things to consider:
Select Fixtures with Cozy Finishes
Lighting fixtures themselves can make a room cozy. The next thing you might do is search for materials and styles that include warmth, like wooden and metal finishes or shades fabricated from material and glass. Vintage or rustic sconces bring charm and character to living rooms and hallways.
For your outdoor spaces, choose warm-colored exterior sconces by the front door or on the porch for the welcoming glow in the evening. You can try out several options to get the best fit for your home.
Install Dimmers to be Flexible
Dimmers let you keep brightness at levels adjusted by time of day or activity. One of the benefits of fitting with different lumens is that you benefit from lower lighting levels in the evening, promoting a calm atmosphere for winding down, and may require brighter settings to facilitate gatherings or cleaning.
As for the most common high usage rooms like living room, dining area and bedrooms, dimmers come in handy by putting in place to adjust ambience and function without too much extra effort. Generally, there are dimmable bulbs available, and they work well with most lighting types, including overhead fixtures and table lamps.
Increase the Appreciation of Key Spaces by Adding Accent Lighting.
To get around lighting some areas that are special to you, you can add in some accent lighting, like small spotlights or LED strip lights. You could light it up a family photo wall or bookshelf or paint it with some artwork.
This layer of light is lit in the same way the entire room is lit, and it can make a room feel curated and personal, while the focused, warm light adds depth and coziness.
Opt for Warm-Toned Bulbs
Warm-toned bulbs come in the form of warm warm lights, anywhere from 2700k to 3000k, and look like candlelight. The soothing and cozy color from this color temperature has been priced into the family space, like the living room and bedrooms.
Go for bulbs that aren’t overly bright or harsh, as white bulbs can make a space feel clinical and cold, taking the homey vibe you’re hoping for away.
Give Some Seasonal Lighting a Fresh Touch
You might change lighting elements per the changes of the seasons, adding a bit of fun and coziness to the look of your home.
For example, string lights work great indoors or outdoors during the fall and winter months, giving them a magical feel. If you have fires in your living spaces, which you likely do, you can easily swap out battery-powered lanterns for a warm glow.
Window Treatments and Mind Natural Light
And while artificial lighting is necessary, natural lighting is just as essential to ensure a cozy atmosphere. You can use sheer or light-filtering curtains to keep a lot of daylight in while keeping some privacy.
If your rooms get lots of sunlight, arrange your seating areas so that the natural warmth can be used as much as possible while soft artificial lighting rounds out the space.
Endnote
If used correctly, these lighting techniques can help you turn your family home into a comfortable place, cozy and warm at the same time, while staying functional.
The right choices in lighting can create the perfect atmosphere for you when you’re unwinding after a long day or gathering with family.
