This week in the Cure we're talking about Lighting and how much it affects how our homes feel. You can have the coolest furniture, the greatest layout, the best bones and nicest art, but if your lighting doesn't do it justice then it won't feel half as good as it ought to. It also affects how people feel when they enter your home. So if you're planing on having guests over here are 5 things you can do to create a warm, welcoming space:
Dim the Lights
If you don't have dimmers then switch out your regular bulbs for a lower wattage bulb (or a pink bulb) just for your soiree. It might seem dark at first but you'll get used to it and your guests will feel cozier.
Candlelight
There's a reason restaurants use candles on the table. The light is flattering so people look good and because it's darker you have to sit closer to people which makes the evening fee warm and fuzzy. Check out our post on our favorite tealight votives, including some DIY versions.
Light from 3 Sources
Ever been in a restaurant and felt like you had a spotlight on your face? You knew it was actually happening because you looked around the table and everyone had ghastly shadows contorting their faces? Avoid this in your home by having at least 3 sources of light in each room and avoiding harsh overhead light. Remember Ron from the Smallest Coolest Contest a coupe of years ago? He had 11 lamps in a 300 square foot studio. And it looked KILLER. Now you probably don't need that many, but start with 3 and see how it goes.
Use Soft Light and Avoid Overhead Light
Can lighting is fine normally, but during your party you want everything soft and flattering and often overhead lights are too much. Dim them way down or avoid them altogether. Instead go for a soft glowy light like a paper lantern that throws light evenly in all directions. Check out how to properly light a living room
Add a Tablelamp to the Bathroom
Often the Bathroom gets overlooked, so make sure the light is flattering and keeps the ambience you've created in the rest of the house. You can either try to try a tablelamp or add enough candles (and far away from the towels) so that your guests don't need to reach for the overhead light switch.
What tricks do you have for party lighting?
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
A string of *warm white twinkle lights* on outside balcony railing (all year round) is wonderful to look at through the sliding glass window, and creates an extended space that is soft, enchanting and inviting ☼
view ilovebc's profile
For my end of Spring Cure party, I followed the lighting suggestions in the AT book, and from an old AT post (and the comments on the post):
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/121505/guest-posts/party-architecture-3-lighting-005546
Few of the lighting things from my party:
1. Replaced 100W bulb in main floor lamp with a 60W bulb for the party.
2. Placed table lamps with low watt bulbs where possible. I relocated some of my bedside lamps just for the party, but only the ones that also fit with the living room furnishings.
3. Kept overhead lights off, including kitchen overhead light. Instead, turned on task lighting over stove and sink in kitchen (since I was still finishing some of the food, doh.)
4. I have a ledge along one wall in my living room - for parties, I line it with votives and flowers. But, keep in mind that too many votives or candles can really warm a place up. I have no AC, so in the summer, this can be a concern. I removed some of the votives and spaced them out to balance the light vs. heat. This is a picture of my ledge/votives/flowers:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2589271046_8ec5847f0c_o.jpg
5. Left a candle burning on the bathroom counter, so the bathroom light didn't need to be on when not occupied. (The bathroom opens directly into the living room.)
The lighting really made a difference. My apt looked so amazing that night, and so many of the people who came to my party commented on it. People who had never been to my apt before were really impressed. (More frequent visitors were more impressed by the change from their previous visits.)
I'd be careful (i.e I wouldn't do it) putting a table lamp in the bathroom. They aren't rated for wet environments like bathrooms and can be an electrocution hazard. I'd worry about any water splashes/spills.
view SanDiegoAT's profile
FYI - CNN article about bathroom lighting.
"Even with a GFCI, freestanding plug-in lamps should never be placed near a sink or tub"
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/homestyle/01/21/bathroom.lighting/index.html
view SanDiegoAT's profile
Part of the reason that people look so great in candle light is that our eyes naturally dilate when we are attracted to someone. And when we see that on someone else, we are drawn to it. It's entirely subconscious and most of why people like dim lighting so much. Besides the fact that it's easy on the eyes.
view idiotdogbrain's profile
for flame concerns, get the little votives or tea lights that are flameless. I love these for added lighting in nooks.
Also, don't forget the home stagers "up lighting" behind shelving, in dark corners, etc.
view stellamystar's profile
Where is that top photo from? The room is absolutely gorgeous.
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
@lisa
it's from ron's house tour. if you click his name earlier in the post you'll be led to the full house tour. it's pretty great.
view kiwi's profile