Decortating Tips - Lighting

Natural and Artificial Lighting

What Natural Light Does to Our Perception of Color

Light can subtly and sometimes dramatically affect the tone and colors of a room. It can wash out some shades, while overemphasizing others. We’ve all experienced the frustration of putting on what we thought were two black socks, only to find in the light of day that we mistakenly put on one black and one navy blue sock. Why was it so difficult to distinguish between the two in your bedroom? It’s because natural light or sunlight distributes the spectrum of colors evenly. On the other hand, the incandescent light from household bulbs has an uneven distribution of colors that is heavy on reds, oranges and yellows, with little blue or violet.

Therefore, it is important to keep in mind the location and window exposure of different rooms when choosing flooring. The type of light in each room will change the appearance and perception of color in ways that may play havoc with your interior design.

In general, keep the following in mind when choosing color schemes. North-facing rooms receive less direct sunlight, and the light they do get tends to be cooler, so choosing warmer colors will help balance this light. Conversely, south-facing rooms receive much warmer, more intense light. Cool colors are your best choice to balance this light.

The morning sun will cast a yellow glow into your east-facing rooms. So any rooms with too much orange or yellow color may be stifling in this light. On the other hand, the orange-red glow of the sun setting in your western-facing windows will overwhelm any rooms with orange or red color schemes.

The Effects of Different Types of Artificial Lighting

Because the majority of lighting in the home is artificial, it is important to understand how different types of light bulbs and light fixtures affect colors. Bear in mind that the room’s exposure to natural light will influence the degree to which these artificial sources affect coloration.

• Incandescent Bulbs: These generate a familiar yellow light that intensifies yellows and reds, but tends to dull cooler colors.

• Fluorescent Bulbs: Just the opposite, these bulbs generate a cool, blue light that amplifies blues and greens, but muddies warmer yellows and reds.

• "Soft White" Fluorescent Bulbs: These lights mimic the warmth of incandescent bulbs, but all colors can appear faded.

• Halogen Bulbs: This is a newer incandescent bulb that produces a brighter, white light that is more like sunlight.

• Full-Spectrum Fluorescents: Although expensive, the light from these bulbs most closely resembles natural sunlight.

Light Fixtures and Other Design Elements

The type of light fixture often affects the coloration in a room, because the fixture typically determines how the light from any of the above bulbs is disbursed.

• Sconces: These fixtures tend to throw off indirect lighting by aiming the light toward ceilings or walls.

• Shades: Lampshades will change the coloration and strength of the bulb inside them. If the lampshade is of a warm hue, it will cast this glow onto the other colors in the room. Strongly colored shades will mute any surrounding colors, but white or ivory shades will throw off the brightest light.

Other materials in the room will also change the diffusion of light and subsequent coloration. Shiny surfaces from glass tabletops and mirrors will reflect more light. On the other hand, light tends to be muted when reflected off textured or upholstered surfaces.

Always keep in mind the effect of lighting on your design scheme. Every room in your home should be inviting, and lighting can have both intended and unintended consequences toward that end.