Why is Lighting Important To a Room?

Many customers who visit our showroom often ask, why is lighting important to a room?

Lighting plays a role in every single room of your home. It’s functional in that makes it easy to get ready in the morning, provides the comfort we need at night and also creates a relaxing ambience. It's no wonder lighting is so essential to our lifestyle.

When it comes to contemporary lighting, there is no one way that fits every room and situation. There are a variety of different options for you to choose from. Let’s take a look at why lighting is vital to a room.

Lighting can make or break the look of a room

Lighting can completely change the feel of a room. We're so used to seeing lighting in our homes and workplaces that we take it for granted.

But have you ever noticed how different a room can look depending on what kind of light is featured?

It's easy to get caught up in our furniture and decor when trying to create the perfect interior, but lighting is what makes all of those details come alive.

Your chandelier isn't just a shiny object hanging above your dining table—it's an essential part of making sure your whole house feels cosy and lived-in. This is why more than half of our customers say they would rather live in a dark room than in one that doesn't have good lighting.

If you want your home to feel like home, don't underestimate the importance of choosing beautiful, flattering light fixtures throughout your house. The Apollo Pendant Lamp by Cattelan Italia is a great example of something that is both beautiful and practical.

Ambient light creates a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere

The right lighting can make you feel at home, whether it's a warm glow in the kitchen or a cosy flicker of candlelight on a dinner table. When you're trying to relax and unwind, let your lights do the work for you.

The reason for this is that the human brain associates a warm light colour with home—the place where we feel safe and comfortable. This association is so strong that it overrides other sensory information about space, like its size or temperature.

If you want to make your visitors feel at home, try adding some soft warm lighting to your space like the Sixties Pendant Light. If you are looking for some lighting design inspiration, check out our interior design project portfolio, specifically the Valley Road private residence which showcases some incredible lighting options.

Task lighting is perfect for reading and cooking

Sometimes we simply want to read a book, write an email or cook dinner. When we're doing these things, our eyes need the right amount of light to see clearly.

The type of light we need for this is called task lighting because it provides just enough light to illuminate your work area without being too bright in the rest of the room. It also helps reduce eyestrain and headaches that can come with staring at screens all day.

This kind of lighting can be found in many places around your home:

• Under cabinets
• On desks
• Above kitchen counters

Accent lighting can be used to highlight specific features

Space is transformed by good lighting. We utilise light and shade to create a room that is both cosy and stunning. Imagine we want to bring attention to a painting on a wall. To do this, we will use a downlight on the painting which then creates a darker zone around it, highlighting the piece alone.

It's also important to remember that not every room needs accent lighting. The key is determining what kind of mood you want the room to set and then choosing the appropriate type of lighting for that mood.

Natural light is the best kind of light

Natural light is, hands down, the best kind of light there is. You can't beat it for its warmth or the way it makes you feel connected to nature.

If you've ever tried taking photos indoors with only artificial lighting, you know that sometimes it you can’t get the right balance. Sometimes the natural light is the only type that will suffice, but how much you get depends on the structure of your house.

Adding skylights to a room with small windows can help, but this might not be a practical option. In this case, we can help you choose lighting that most closely resembles natural light and enhances your space in the best way possible.

Lighting need not be excessively expensive

Lighting is one of the most important parts of your home. It's what makes your space feel safe and welcoming while adding to your design aesthetic and creating different moods throughout your home.

At FCI, we have curated a collection of luxury lighting from some of the world’s most exclusive brands from Europe and beyond.

For nearly 40 years, we have been designing beautiful interiors and selecting high-quality lighting brands that we are proud to recommend. Here are a few of our favourites:

1. Terzani

Terzani is renowned for producing glistening glass and crystal products. Their fabled "fairy-tale" chandeliers are the epitome of opulence and elegance.

2. Flos Lighting

Modern lighting designs by Flos Lighting are influenced by geometric shapes. They prioritize environmental sustainability and are motivated by functionality.

3. Foscarini

Murano glass lighting is a speciality of Foscarini, who tries to combine their magnificent designs to turn spaces into real works of art.

In conclusion

Everyone knows that lighting plays a vital role in the look and feel of any room.

Rethinking your space with a new ambience in mind can really make a difference, but also be mindful of the practical element and ensure you have the task lighting you need to make things run smoothly in your home.

We have a wonderful selection of modern lighting for your home design needs. Browse our contemporary lighting collection or speak with our expert design team for advice and recommendations.