4 Ways to Get Your Ambient Lighting Right

1. Exploit natural lighting

For rooms used primarily during the daytime, natural light can be adequate and inviting. Consider passive light sources first.

2. Expose your rooms.

In the northern hemisphere, east-, west- and south-facing rooms are great candidates for increasing natural light. Each exposure offers unique lighting. North-facing rooms draw on natural light as well but typically need assistance from an artificial light source.

Tip: Add windows to the southern face of your home to get the maximum benefit from natural light.

3. Reflect natural light

This room has lots of natural light, drawing on a less-obvious strategy. Anytime you introduce mirrors, like the ones on the wall behind the sectional here, you reflect and amplify the light.

Tip: Place a mirror opposite any available window if you have a dark basement or family room. No matter how small the window, it will bounce more light around.

4.Up the energy level

Some rooms are hubs for your household’s comings and goings. In these rooms you want ambient light to boost energy.

Tip: Do not skimp on lighting in high-activity-level areas. These may include the family room, breakfast and homework area in your kitchen, or anywhere you want to ramp up the energy level. When you calculate a range for required wattage, err on the side of more rather than less.