All too often, lighting is seen as a finishing touch to a room. And whilst it undoubtedly is the element that enlivens and brightens a room, it’s often one of the last things to be added to the space. This means thinking about it in detail is differed till the end of the project. This is a mistake that many make which leaves the room poorly illuminated.
Lighting should be considered at the same time as other fixtures and fittings even if the lamps are the last thing to be fixed in place at least you can get the cables in place in preparation for the big switch on at the conclusion of a project.
Of course you know that now! You are looking for solutions, finding some ways of increasing the light level without adding more cable. Worry not, there is a way of brightening your home with minimal disruption to the freshly decorated room.
Some of the reasons your room may appear darker than you’d anticipated can be to do with colours and materials used in the space. This all impacts on the perceptible level of light. Gloss surfaces reflect light whist dense matte materials do little to maximise the reflection of light.
Colours that are dark absorb light whilst lighter ones refract it. You’d be surprised at the difference a single light bulb can make when lighter, more reflective furnishings and wall covering at chosen.
Take a look at the image of the below kitchen where darker walls have been selected, the room is not dark and dismal instead it’s dramatic and interesting largely this is due to the abundance of light fitting used. This is a clever design that works well as the light effects had been considered along side the colour choices.
This tells us that dark colours work well but the number of light fittings needs to be increased. Not so simple to add a row of wall lights after the job is complete, however you could add plug in lamps or spotlights that clip on.
Top 10 ways to increase the brightness in a dimly lit room.
Swapping your light bulbs to brighter versions
Swapping your light bulbs to brighter versions
If you can upgrade to brighter bulbs this is the best thing to try first. It’s the most practical solutions however you’ll first need to establish if the light bulbs are replaceable. Not all are with the increase in integrated LED lights some are built in. Also not all lights can have a brighter bulb as the size and wattage is sometimes restricted for safety or practical reasons.
12 volt lights sometimes called low voltage have transformers (a component that converts 230v dow to 12volts) this can only power certain power light bulbs.
Some lights have halogen and switching to the LED versions of these don’t at this stage provide as bright a light.
If however you do have standard screw in bulbs E27 or bayonet bulbs B22 you have a good chance of obtaining brighter bulbs.
What bulbs are in the fittings you have? What size and shape are they. You’ll need to judge that the replacement is roughly the same size or it won’t fit.
If you are replacing an old style incandescent bulb be prepared to start learning all about new style light bulbs. More effective and economic to run, but you’ll need to understand that you may be taking out a 60 watt light bulb and replacing it with a 6 watt that is equally as bright just less watts to run.
Light is now measured in lumens 600 lumens is as bright as an old style 60 watt.
We’ve designed a helpful guide to help you choose a suitable replacement.
Plug in an Extra Table Lamp
Plug in an Extra Table Lamp
This is surely one of the best and easiest forms of adding extra light to a space. With a plentiful array of choice available there’s sure to be a style to enhance the overall ambience in your home. If you can’t accommodate enough to boost the lightness of the room consider adding task lighting for extra light where it’s needed most. For example next to a chair to bump up the light needed to read.
Table lamps styles to choose from by trend may help you to narrow down the choice and select one that sits your decorative style.
Investing in a floor lamp
Investing in a floor lamp
Floor lamps that uplight a room are superb for increasing the overall lighting effect especially if the ceiling is white. As we’ve mentioned previously a white colour reflects light. brightening the space beautifully. Some versions also have an extra task light too making it a bright choice.
Hide Plug in lamps in corners
Hide Plug in lamps in corners
Small can lights work in a similar fashion to floor uplighter but are smaller and a little more unobtrusive. Placing these in corners of rooms gives a lovely wash of light up the walls. It’s a charming effect that brings some much needed ambience to any room. It also makes a space feel a little bigger which is another reason to consider doing this no matter how well you room is lit. It’s said often that you require lighting at different levels in the room to get maximum interest, floor level up lighting makes use of an under utilised level. You’ll adore this look it’s stunning.
Hang Mirrors
Hang Mirrors
If you really can’t fit another freestanding lamp or table lamp ensure the ones you have work hard for you. Position the infant of a mirror to amplify the light level. If reflective surfaces are next to any source of light it will reflect that light. This makes it a good idea to have mirrors next to lamps and indeed windows.
Limit the heavy drapes, curtains block daylight
Limit the heavy drapes, curtains block daylight
It goes without saying that you’ll want to keep your curtains if you are overlooked but possibly windows that are not overlooked could be left uncovered in the daytime. Curtains in north facing rooms don’t get much natural daylight so for these rooms maybe opting for a different window treatment can help. Window films, lighter voiles may work. Having said that by night time it’s dark and it doesn’t matter if the curtains are opened or closed it’s still dark. So this suggestion will only enhance light in the daylight hours.
Replace single light fixtures with multiple branched versions
Replace single light fixtures with multiple branched versions
Fully understand that if you have a perfectly fine light you may not want to replace it, however if it’s simply not bright enough it’s not good enough. Maybe it could work well in a bedroom? If you have a 3 bulb light maybe upgrade to a 5 bulb light fitting. This makes sense and yes you’ll need an electrician to replace it but it’s cheaper that getting an additional light point installed and a whole heap this disruptive to the decor. Do consider the ceiling rose size, I’m not talking about the plasterwork style of rose, it’s the cup or canopy part that fixes the light to the ceiling and hides all the electrical connections. Go for the same size or bigger that the one you take down, otherwise you’ll have to make good the decor around it if the ceiling rose is smaller that the original.
Consider Redecorating
Consider Redecorating
While dark colours may be en-vogue at the moment, you don’t have to darken the entire room to achieve the look. Using a paint with a soft sheen rather than a matte will help, but a paler shade or contrasting shade on the wall opposite the window will help to bounce natural light around. Or you could add a mirror or reflective piece of wall art to this wall. It will also bounce the light from your chosen lamps around the room when daylight fades.
Consider spidering a light across the ceiling.
Consider spidering a light across the ceiling.
Whilst this sound a teeny bit odd (and apologies to the arachnophobes who shuddered when spiders were mentioned!) however, it’s not exactly as yuck as it sounds. It’s the opposite. Spidering is a burgeoning new trend where cluster of pendant lights are powered from one single electrical point and then the pendants are hooked across the ceiling and light distributed where needed. It’s a highly fashionable look for homes. You can either choose bare bulb effects or select an array of pendants shades to dress the the pendants to suit your tastes. It can look exquisite with all the same style or quirk it up by doing random related or unrelated styles.
Add a semi permanent lamps
Add a semi permanent lamp
There are clip on lamps which work much as table lamps do but better still there’s a whole new concept to consider: wall lamps that can be fixed to a wall and simply plugged in. Perfect lamps to make use of vertical surfaces if or your horizontal spaces are being used. We love this look, it stylish and so practical as it saves you having to hardwire and get an electrician to install the lights. The most impressive of them all is the Finnley lamp.
This exclusive design, which is wholly British made and designed features an elegant riser effect enabling you to raise and lower the position of the lamp. The lamp part can be used without a shade to show off iconic vintage light bulbs or shades can be purchased separately if you want to switch things up a bit. Suitable for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Fix it to the wall, plug it in and turn it on easy! It’s switched on the cable for extra convenience.
Designed by Lynne Hickin-Browne.
The Finnley is my first design, it was as we say “That Light Bulb Moment” It was so perfect I named it Finnley after my first Grandson, also perfect!
I’m pleased that my concept worked so well, largely because I insisted it was made in the UK the quality needed to be just right and my design should not be compromised due to my appalling language skills. The integrity of the piece shines through. For me I enjoy creating and felt that many of our interior design partners would enjoy that element of the lamp too. Purposely I have left the options open, as to how the lamp can be used but I fancy I may have a pair as bedside lamps and maybe one by a reading chair. Biased I know; but it’s great the same lamp can look so different dependant on bulbs or shades chosen. Creatively it’s been very exciting working on an exclusive lamp. We offer something so delightfully different. I couldn’t be more thrilled with it. It’s a rarity; utterly unique and I’m proud as punch that we’ve kept the price affordable – I’d hate to be a designer so pompous that the price point becomes unobtainable for our customers pockets.