Lighting doesn’t just brighten a room; it adds character and warmth, creating a mood that invites potential buyers or guests to linger. For holiday cottages, especially, lighting makes spaces feel cosy and inviting, translating beautifully to photographs that boost online appeal.
Layering Light for Depth and Atmosphere Layered lighting combines ambient, task, and accent lighting, letting you create dynamic mood – bright and energising during the day and soft and restful at night. By layering floor lamps, table lamps, and ceiling fixtures, you can design a lighting scheme that highlights each room’s best features and elevates its overall ambiance.
• Ambient Lighting: Known as general lighting, ambient light provides the primary illumination in a room, creating a base layer that allows visibility and comfort. Ceiling lights, like pendant or recessed spots are common choices.
• Task Lighting: Task lighting targets specific areas for functionality, reducing shadows and glare – ideal for under-cabinet lights in the kitchen, reading lamps by a sofa, or bedside lamps in the bedroom.
• Accent Lighting: Accent lighting is your “wow” factor. It highlights architectural features or decor, drawing attention to details that set your property apart. Wall sconces over artwork, uplights in alcoves, or backlighting behind a picture work wonders to showcase unique features.
Room-by-Room Lighting Tips
• Living Room: Use warm-toned floor and table lamps to create a cosy, inviting atmosphere. Vintage style light bulbs give off a golden light that create a gorgeous restful light in the evening.
• Bedroom: Choose soft, diffused bedside lights for a serene and restful ambiance.
• Kitchen: Bright task lighting, like pendant lights over counters and under-cabinet lights, adds both function and style.
• Bathroom: Using dimmer switches allow for clear, bright lighting for morning routines, and softer options for a spa-like experience in the evening. Maximising Natural Light Natural light is a gift—make the most of it! Use sheer curtains or place mirrors to bounce light around the room, creating a sense of openness and airiness.
Setting the Mood with Lighting
Thoughtful lighting is transformative, shaping the mood and ambiance of each room. Whether you want to make a space feel expansive or intimate, layered lighting creates an unforgettable experience for guests and leaves a lasting impression on potential buyers.
