How to Decide on the Best Lighting for Each Room

Although the calendar is there to remind us, we seem to be taken off guard when the dead of winter arrives. Every year, it’s the same story: one day we wake up and realize we need to put on cardigans, scarves and hats to combat the frigid temperatures. But what’s even more noticeable is the brown blurring of nature’s palette. And, as the days get shorter, we involuntarily find ourselves enjoying natural light that much more.

There’s something very comforting and relaxing about light-bathed rooms, especially in the middle of winter, which is why houses with generous and unique windows top the preferences of many. Consequently, architects pay special attention to the positioning, ideal number, shape and location of windows when a new house plan is drafted. Every room in the house has a specific purpose and each can and should benefit from a touch of style, in addition to its concrete functionality.

Whether you start from the ground up or refurbish already existing interiors, it makes aesthetic and financial sense to have a plan for the whole process and an overall vision to follow. If you need extra inspiration to channel your own home décor or redecorating ideas, then please keep reading.

The Dining Room

Though the dining room is not typically prioritized when it comes to ensuring natural lighting, there’s no rule to prevent you from supplementing sources of electrical light. A posh architectural window could showcase a beautiful landscape or eye-catching sunset during all of your meals. If you want to install new windows in your dining room to enjoy a picturesque view, research replacement windows providers in Toronto. 

The Living Room

One of the most important rooms in the house, the living room is where family members spend a lot of time – which is why you should carefully consider both natural and artificial light sources. Bay and bow windows are popular for living rooms as they offer not only great lighting, but they create the illusion of more space. You will see them in many house plans, whether they be for windows where the winters are fierce or for homes in Toronto or Mississauga.

Once windows have been decided upon, you can add floor lamps to complete the layout and make great use of warm ambient lighting.

The Bedroom

You can get away with as little as a few matching table lamps for the bedroom. This is the room with the smallest lighting requirement since you’ll want low lighting to help you unwind so do not hesitate to go as dim as you want.

The Kitchen

By contrast, all sources of light are welcome in the kitchen. In fact, they are highly recommended. Large windows, which also double as additional ventilators, and track lighting are popular options since you need to see exactly what you’re doing during food preparation.

The Bathroom

Single or double-hung tilt windows are common for bathrooms and for good reason too. They are extremely practical, budget-friendly, can be fitted with screens to protect against insects, dirt and dust and support natural ventilation as well. 

While choosing the best lighting for your home can be time-consuming and sometimes challenging, having an abundance of light in your home in the dark winter months will be worth it.