Selecting the right lighting is as important as choosing furniture, says Alex Henrich, CEO of IROCO Design. He has some tips:
Be Creative with Accent Lighting: It’s no secret one light source cannot meet the diverse requirements of a single space; a living area of around 20 square meters, for example, should have at least three to five light sources. Create a reading corner with a free-standing light (try our Pivot Lamp), place decorative table lamps on sideboards, shelves or occasional tables to spread accentuated light (the Tripod Table Lamp is very versatile), and emphasise paintings, sculptures, shelves and cabinets with wall lamps or carefully positioned ceiling spotlights. In bathrooms and kitchens, install brighter, task lighting for vanity units and work surfaces.
Diffuse Light: Diffusers spread soft light evenly within a room, creating immediate atmosphere. Our Box or Egg Table Lamps have the dual advantage of creating a warm glow, and being very much on-trend! With standard or floor lamps, using the right bulbs can also make a significant difference.
Size Matters: Consider size when choosing fixtures, as lights that are too small or overlarge can mess with a room’s proportions. A general rule of thumb is that a lamp should be no more than 1.5 times the height of the piece it is sitting on, and lampshade diameter should be no wider than the table top.
All Lampshades are not Created Equal: Darker lampshades create a more dramatic effect, localising light above and below the shade, while lighter shades allow more light into the room. The Bougie Black Lamp will light a space entirely differently to the Bougie Transparent, for example.
Utilise Height: When lighting a small floor space, use height: torchiere or tall floor lamps (try IROCO Design’s vast range of lighting, or the King Floor Lamp or Tripod Floor Lamp) provide plenty of light without taking up space on the floor or a table. Another way to avoid cluttering floor space is to use sconces on the walls; these can also work particularly well as bedside lighting.