DEAR GAIL: We’ve just moved into our new house and have a basement that we’re going to use as a family room. We’re going to make it multi-purpose with a separate TV area, game table and quiet sitting. The only natural light that we have coming in, is from a couple small windows at ground level. We know that lighting can make all the difference in a room, so we would like some guidance on how much and what we should buy. Dick & Mary T.
DEAR DICK & MARY: A properly lit room is a powerful decorating tool. Lighting creates a mood, enhances the atmosphere and insures that you are able to use each area for the function that you desire. So your first step is to develop a lighting plan.
You’ve already mentioned that you will have three separate areas each with very different functions. That is your first step in a plan, identifying the activities in the room and where they will be done. Also at this step, determine if there will be any decorative elements that you’ll want to spotlight.
Step two is to define the type of lighting that you’ll need for each area or activity zone. In each room there needs to be three types of lighting: general, task and accent. General lighting provides overall illumination in a room. It allows for safe movement in, out and around a room. Task lighting is assigned for a special task or activity, such as reading, games or desktop work. Accent lighting is strictly decorative and adds drama to a room. It accents a focal piece of artwork, sculpture or plants, emphasizes the aesthetics of a room and enhances the atmosphere.
Now onto the type of lighting you’ll be looking for. For your general lighting needs, ceiling fixtures will give you overall illumination. You can attach a light kit to a ceiling fan, install recessed can lights, track lightning or wall sconces.
Another fixture that you can use for general lighting is to have a table or floor lamp attached to a light switch that you can turn on as you enter the room. Now you don’t want to be walking across the room to turn this on and off as it will defeat the purpose of getting you safely in and out of the room.
In your TV and sitting area you’re going to need task lighting. Task lighting is considered portable free-standing plug-in lamps, such as table and floor lamps. Now everyone has different TV watching habits, but I always find it most comfortable if there is task lighting around the seating, since sometimes you may also use the area for reading. The recessed cans in your ceiling are not used as task lighting, as they are located too far away from the task.
In the area where you’ll be reading, it is best if the shade of the table lamp falls about 40-42 inches off the floor. With a floor lamp, it should be about 10 inches behind your shoulder.
One lighting secret that you can use as a double check to make sure that you don’t have any dark areas and have properly placed you furniture and lighting, is to have the task lighting placed at least on a diagonal across the area. It is best if the lighting pattern is in a triangular pattern so that no one is sitting or reading in the dark.
For your game table, you’ll want to hang a pendant light 36 inches above the tabletop. A good rule of thumb for size is to choose a fixture that is equal to half the width of the table. So for a 36 inch round table, select a fixture that has a diameter of approximately 18 inches.
The final lighting that you’ll want to add is your accent lighting. For this type of lighting, you’ll use spots, floor cans, rope and picture lights. To really accent the focal point, there should be three times as much light focused on the item as the rooms lighting provides, otherwise it will just blend in.
One of my favorites is an adjustable halogen can light. Place it behind a plant and it will create fabulous shadows on the wall. Can lights can also be placed on the floor directed upward and they will visually open up the room. Use them in dark corners to create a soft glow.
For your artwork, play with the lighting and placement for what brings out the best in the picture. Along with over the top, picture lights can also hang from the bottom with the light directly upward on the piece. Maybe your art needs to have higher overhead lighting, so you’ll want to use track or spot lighting aimed at a 30-degree angle from the piece.
Lighting a room doesn’t need to be a mystery. Just like with any other decorating project, start with a plan and you’ll be pleased with the results.