If you live in an old house or are about to purchase one, there are aesthetic aspects that may not be functional anymore. Specific features such as the flooring, the fireplace, and your period home’s beautiful bay windows are irreplaceable and add to the charm, but when it comes to home maintenance, components such as lights or plumbing may need to be replaced.
The right lights can affect a room tremendously. Having that old world look to the exterior of your home is one thing, but having an out-of-date interior is a little unfashionable.
Let’s look at how you can update dated lighting in your period home.
Go for ambient and task lighting
Ambient lighting should be the base light of your home. When it comes to home maintenance, it is as easy as replacing globes after the initial installation. Nothing too bright, but enough to illuminate your main living spaces comfortably. Ambient lights create a welcoming atmosphere for the kitchen, dining room, lounge, and even bathrooms.
If you want additional light, this is where task lights come in handy. There are so many designs to choose from, but what we love about them is that they act as a functional ornament or feature in any room. For instance, use modern lamps to brighten up certain areas like next to the lounge suite to create extra light for reading, or on the wall in the bathroom for when you’re applying makeup.
Recessed spotlights with dimmers look great and modern. The light produced by recessed lights can also be manipulated through dimmers according to your preference.
In the kitchen, install lights under the wall units or shelves with separate switches to those on the ceiling so you can control the ambiance and mood of the room.
Understand the purpose of your lighting
Home maintenance isn’t just about ensuring your plumbing and electrics are working efficiently or applying a fresh lick of paint every five years. Fixtures such as lights and doors can deteriorate too.
Before updating the lighting in your house, you need to consider the purpose of the room. Which spaces are you trying to illuminate, and for what reason?
If your living space is going to be used for relaxing and socializing, then installing lights that can be dimmed is essential. You don’t want to be having a few glasses of wine in the evening with friends with these bright lights shining down on everyone – that will take away from the mood.
Being able to change the lighting options increases the versatility of the space. If this means purchasing some lamps or having adjustable downlights installed into the ceiling, then do so.
Having more control over the way your room is lit means you can adjust the lighting throughout the day for whatever needs you may have.
You may also want to consider the color temperature of your lights. If you install lights that can change in color temperature, then you can adjust according to your mood. Warm lighting to create a cozy feel and cool lighting for a bright and fresh look.
Make use of natural light
You’ve got those gorgeous bay windows, so use them to your advantage during the day. This is not as simple as merely drawing the curtains and letting the sunshine in.
Our advice is to strategically hang decorative mirrors to enhance the feeling of space and natural light in your main living spaces.
Work with a renovation company
If you’ve just moved into a period home, chances are you did so intending to renovate. Buying and installing lights yourself can be challenging. Unless you’re a DIY enthusiast, including a revamp of lighting in your bathroom renovation plans, for instance, will be beneficial, as a good renovation company will work fast, effectively and neatly.
You may also find that the more you ask of a renovation company, the more discounts you will reap. We suggest using a renovation app to ensure the job runs smoothly, though.
Home is where the heart is, so home maintenance and improvement should be a priority.