Design Fundamentals, Accessories, and Home Lamps

Posted on 01 August 2009

Home Lamps and Interior Design:    Whether starting from scratch or working with existing furnishings, the layering of furniture, rugs, pictures,  home lamps, and other accessories are important in designing an inviting space.  When assembling all the various layers of a space, fundamental concerns to keep in mind are the  style, scale, hierarchy, color, and details.

Style: In broad terms, style is generally described in terms of Modern, Contemporary, Transitional, Traditional, or Eclectic. Yet, more descriptive definitions include the choice of a theme such as Traditional Georgian, Modern 60’s Retro, Contemporary Coastal, and so on.  Keeping a consistent style in a room can make a strong statement about that particular style. On the other hand, mixing styles can add an interesting complexity to a room. Decide on a Style and Theme early in the design process so that you have a strong direction.

Scale: Whether furnishings are large and massive or small and petite, the entire ensemble should appear balanced and harmonious.  If a space is small, very large furnishings can make a room look smaller. However, a few larger pieces are almost always better than numerous smaller pieces. Conversely, small furnishings can become lost in a large room, especially one with high ceilings. If ceilings are low, stick with furniture that is lower in height to avoid making the ceiling look lower or the room look crowded.

If buying new furniture, it is a good idea to draw a floor plan to scale and add the furniture to the plan. This helps not only in understanding the scale, but also in whether the space will function properly. Is there sufficient space to move around, sit, and walk?

Hierarchy: Establishing hierarchy provides organization and focus to a room. When dealing with a living or family room, positioning of the couch and chairs is of most importance. Identify the focal point of the room. This might be a beautiful view to the outside, a feature wall with a group of pictures, or a fireplace. Use the larger pieces of furniture to reinforce the focal point. Then follow with other smaller pieces.

Use area rugs to identify and organize spaces. Rugs are good at visually tying a grouping of furniture together such as couch and chairs. If your living and dining areas are in the same room, a floor rug located in the living room will help delineate the two spaces. Also, a free standing screen is another good option.

Color: Of course, color has a dramatic impact on the character of a room. Identify an inspirational piece such as a rug, fabric, or picture to determine your color palette. If your theme is coastal, you may want to incorporate shades of blue or neutrals. If your theme is traditional, strong reds, blues, or greens may be most suitable. Pale creams and beige color walls will give the impression of a more space. Warm colors such as reds and yellow can make a space appear smaller. Pale colors are typically more calming whereas strong colors are more stimulating. When choosing a color from a swatch, go at least one shade lighter than you think you want. When the color is put in the wall it will appear more intense than when it was on the swatch.

For rooms in which you spend a lot of time, it is generally better to keep the colors neutral. Limit the use of strong colors to small areas. Stronger colors work better for rooms or areas such as a bathroom, hallway staircase, or bedroom which are in use for a limited time.

Details: Take the time to make sure the accessories blend well with the overall style or theme. The accessories, such as pictures,  lighting fixtures, pillows, rugs, and sculptural objects, are the elements that really give a space warmth and personality. The accessories can be a different style than the furniture, but they should blend in terms of scale and color. For example,  contemporary table lamps may be an excellent way to update a room with a traditional style couch and other furnishings. However, it may be desirable to bring in some other contemporary accents to balance the overall look.

Place pictures at eye level to avoid making the ceiling look lower. Also, lower hanging pictures helps to visually unify the pictures with furniture located below – if there is any. Limit the use of family pictures in the living room. It is better to locate family pictures, trophies, diplomas in a bedroom, den, or office. If using several pictures to create a focal point, group them together as though there were an imaginary frame around them. Don’t spread them out.

Home Lamps:  Table lamps lighting, bedside table lamps, and buffet table lamps are important accessories because they are sculptural and functional. Make sure the size, color, and shape are appropriate for the location. In general, drum shades look more modern or contemporary and conical ones look more traditional. Lighting can have a dramatic impact on the ambiance of a room. It is best to use several types of lighting sources to get the most dramatic effect.

Interior designers will typically recommend using incandescent light bulbs because the light emitted is considered more conducive to creating an attractive setting. However, if you want to reduce energy consumption, the compact florescent bulb is an affordable option. The lighting quality has improved over the years and some studies have shown them to be preferable.

If you are unsure of the look you want to achieve or just need some inspiration, look at magazines, watch home design shows on TV, visit the showrooms of new homes, or hire an interior designer.  The way in which style, scale, hierarchy, color, and details are integrated will have a significant impact on whether a space is considered appealing.  Keep in mind that the way in which lighting and home lamps are used  can have a dramatic effect on its appearance also.  A room that is well-designed and well-lit has an almost magical quality and can be inspirational. Most importantly, make sure the room reflects your style and personality.

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