Green Light

Add romance to your home with a few eco-friendly lighting tips.

By Glen Peloso

When you begin to consider how a space will be lit, it's vital to take into account the activities that will occur in that space and then provide the appropriate lighting. Any task that's undertaken with inadequate lighting becomes a strain on the eyes, as well as a strain on one's concentration and enjoyment of the task. This principle is especially true for home offices and kitchens, where tasks specific to these rooms can be important and taxing, or even potentially dangerous (for example, writing a report for work or even chopping vegetables with a sharp knife). Concentrating on a project in one of these rooms can be either pleasurable or arduous, depending on the quantity and quality of available light.

In nature, the light of the sun bathes us and during daytime hours specifically, the sun's light is above us. Pot lighting affords us the same overhead bath of light in an interior space. In the winter months when days are short, using table lamps during daytime hours can create an atmosphere that is somber and uninviting as the light source is apparent, and emanates from an obvious and unnatural direction, effectively creating the impression that it's even later and darker.

A general overhead lighting plan is a great addition to any room, and is most effective when it originates from several sources like pot lighting, though some people take issue with the amount of energy that this particular type of lighting consumes. With the development of LED (light emitting diode) pot lighting, the consumption of energy has been drastically reduced and the quality of light has been greatly improved. The cost of installing LED fixtures is greater than halogen pot lighting or florescent bulbs. However, in the long-term you'll greatly reduce energy consumption, the light source can be dimmed and the fixtures last for approximately 10 years before they need to be replaced. A room of pot lights burns approximately the equivalent amount of energy as one incandescent nightlight.

Moreover, pot lighting, which can be made directional, adds focus and dimension to a room, as well as allowing key elements in the space to be featured. The eye is naturally attracted to the brightest items in its visual field. Vibrancy can be created either by colour (for instance, using a feature wall colour or a very bright painting) or by splashing light over the area or piece that you would like accentuated.

We also want to be able to create mood in our spaces, and lighting is a wonderful way to achieve this. Everyone would likely agree that a candle-lit dinner is the archetypal romantic environment. Dim lighting, particularly at night, can also give us a feeling of calm and relaxation. Dimmers permit light to fade gradually and naturally, like the setting sun. Obviously, the most ideal form of light is sunlight, and creating ways to have natural light come into the house is most desirable. Overall, lighting up your life by creating healthy and inspirational spaces in which to live in is definitely a significant step toward happiness, fulfillment and letting your inner light shine forth.

References:
Michael Graham Richard, “Big LED breakthrough at Purdue University could change the world,”
July 22, 2008.
Global Stewards, “Environmental Tips for Individuals: All Ecotips.”
Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, “Some bright ideas for lighting your home more
efficiently,” 2008.