All it takes is a flick of the switch to change a dull, drab room into a warm, inviting one. Lighting is important for our sense of well-being and safety during the cold, dark months of winter.
"The No. 1 thing most homeowners would like to change about their present environment is the lighting," says Gary Gordon, a technical expert with Philips. "A new sofa or draperies are wasted if the lighting is not there."
Designer Candice Olson agrees.
Olson's weekly show, Divine Design on the W Network, showcases dramatic makeovers that often include overhauling the lighting.
"Each room should have layers of light," says Olson. "There is ambient lighting, usually a ceiling fixture, which is the bread and butter of lighting, there must be task lighting to perform specific functions, such as table lamps for reading, as well as decorative lighting.
Toronto homeowner Robert Pelletier put a lot of thought into lighting with layers before renovating the family bathroom by sourcing ideas from magazines.
"I installed a shower light designed specifically for the task, added two wall sconces alongside the mirror, as well as two pendants from the ceiling for ambient lighting," says Pelletier, a do-it-yourself renovator and father of two.
Olson even suggests adding a small chandelier to a bathroom for a splash of sophistication.
Experts use decorative accents, such as chandeliers, to add drama and say consumers don't use enough of these accents to highlight the unique features of a room.
"Wall washers, for instance, will throw the spotlight on artwork or enchance the texture and colour of draperies, even making cotton look richer, says Olson. "Uplighting, on the other hand, is used to frame a plant or sculpture and adds sparkle and pizazz."
"It's easy to accentuate a home's features with uplighting," adds designer Ellie Cholette. "It brightens dark corners and draws attention to a high ceiling."
The right lighting also makes a small space seem bigger.
