With the right lighting, you can create an inviting atmosphere which casts your home – and your guests – in the best possible light. When entertaining, you should avoid overly bright, direct lighting and include plenty of warm, low level light from a range of sources, including wall lights, floor lamps and table lamps.
By using multiple light sources, and layering your light, you can provide the perfect mood and ambience, while also creating that all-important wow factor.
Flatter your guests with soft, indirect lighting
If you’ve ever found the fluorescent striplights in the shop changing rooms a tad unforgiving, you’re not alone. The first rule of lighting when you’re entertaining is to avoid using overly harsh or direct lighting.
A bright light shining straight down from above will create glare and cast shadows which are less than flattering to your guests facial features! Aim instead for layers of warm, low level light which emphasise the horizontal space and offer a more natural angle of illumination. Encourage your guests to relax and enjoy themselves.
Use portable table lamps to create accents and atmosphere
When it comes to entertaining, table lamps are an essential part of your lighting scheme. They’re great for creating accents and atmosphere and setting the mood – and they’re also gorgeous things in their own right, adding a beautiful decorative element to any space.
For a magical, intimate feel, try placing a set of decorative table lamps around the room at eye level on cupboards or shelves, or in alcoves. Or set a pair of matching designer table lamps on the dining table to provide a beautiful, flattering ambient glow.
Creating a warmly welcoming environment
Thinking a little more long-term, you can design your home lighting to make a generally warm, welcoming environment for visitors.
Wall lights and sconces are a lovely way of introducing a layer of warm, diffused light. Used as an alternative to overhead lighting, they will create a beautiful wash of light across the wall and add a soft, welcoming glow to any dining room or living room.
Wall lights come in a wide range of different shapes, styles and materials, from traditional style sconces to striking contemporary designs, so you can find something that hits just the right note.
Make a wow lighting statement
As well as providing a warm welcome for your guests, your lighting is also an opportunity to make a statement. A striking pendant light or cluster light can add some real wow factor to your night: a statement pendant light suspended low over the dining table will create a beautiful focal point, around which you can then build the rest of your lighting scheme.
Meanwhile, chandeliers are surely the ultimate show-stoppers. These days they’re available in a huge range of different styles and materials, from traditional crystal dazzlers which will reflect the light beautifully, to state-of-the-art metal and industrial designs, so you can make exactly the kind of statement you want to.
You want to flatter and impress your guests – and there’s nothing wrong with creating a teeny bit of envy too, is there?…
Product links recommended above:
Wabi-Sabi Squiggle & Curvy Table Lamp, 4 Color
Minimalism 360° Wall Lamp Strip, Back LED
Christmas Antlers Shaped Vintage Branch Pendant Light, 4 Style
Leave a reply