Whether you want to bathe a wall in light, angle on a particular painting or wash objects in a warm, golden glow, you can choose from a vast array of contemporary lighting to dramatically enhance your interior.
Lighting is one of the most exciting elements of interior design, and one of the easiest Feng Shui tools to use in enhancing space. Contemporary lighting systems today do more than just banish darkness. They can bathe a room in a soft, emotive glow, send a shimmer across a table set with crystal or shed localised light for close work.
Modern technology has moved the concept of lighting a long way from being treated as a mere object that must perform a specific function. These days contemporary lighting can brighten, soften, dramatize and minimise, the possibilities are endless.
The use and moderation of light, be it natural or artificial, is important in Feng Shui, as it influences and defines a homes atmosphere. It also has a powerful effect on our personalities and can depress, stimulate or relax us. Rooms that are poorly lit are depressing and can strain the eyes. Create a more restful environment with lights, and rooms become soothing and comfortable, helping us to unwind from outside stresses in a calming and nurturing environment.
Light, which is Yang, symbolises the Fire element and is extremely useful for activating certain sectors of the home, in particular the South, which is attributed to Fire. Good lighting also helps stimulate the flow of Chi generally and is a great tool for promoting balance and harmony within the home.
When selecting lights try to avoid any angular or hostile shapes with sharp angles. Sharp angles direct “killing” chi and pointed shapes are best avoided. Select lights which have shape that is particularly suited to certain areas of your home. There are so many to choose from, spherical, round, tall, rectangular, vertical, wavy, and the unusual irregular shapes.
There are a number of basic kinds of lighting; ambient, task, accent and decorative. The most successful lighting schemes are a combination of all these. Task lighting provides focused light, which illuminates particular areas of activity. This form of lighting is essential for reading and cooking amongst other things. Care should be taken to ensure that the light falls correctly on the work, so that the glaring bulb within is never visible beneath the shade. Spotlights, table and floor lamps are ideal for task lighting.
The most successful lighting schemes combine all other roles. Use ambient light to fill in the dark spots, task light where it is required, accent light to highlight that wonder piece of art or Feng Shui feature such as crystals or a pair of lovers, mandarin ducks which are positioned in the South West area otherwise known as the Romance and Relationship Sector. Vary the brightness by mixing the bulbs, not only will it affect the level of illumination, it will also dapple the room in light.
Lighting is an easy way of introducing colour into a scheme, whether it’s the base of the light, the colour of the shade or the bulb. In the dining room a cluster of blue pendants hung low over the table can greatly enhance the tranquillity of the space and provide lighting for that special dinner party.
Artificial light should work in combination with natural light in order to establish the emotional tone of a room. Only when artificial and natural light are working together do they enhance architectural detail and other decorative features, accentuate colour and reveal texture, and add mood and atmosphere to a space.
Originally for fengshui-ci.co.uk. Photo by Arnold C – Own work, Attribution