How to Fill Your Home with Light and Personality

In a past issue I talked about the importance of properly lighting your rooms. No matter what the style or the purpose of a room, one of the most important elements of its design is the lighting. This month I'd like to talk about how designers use lamps to add drama and style. I like to think of lamps as the jewelry of your room. In addition to light, they can character, beauty, personality, and drama.

When selecting lamps, keep in mind the amount of light you will need in the room. Select several lamps to be placed strategically around the room to allow for the light to be balanced. Table, floor, and buffet lamps cast a warm, inviting glow, allowing for conversation and adding great atmosphere. Buffet lamps are usually tall and slender, and particularly attractive in pairs, often used together on a console table, dresser, or buffet.

Torchieres are a more dramatic source of light, with a shade that directs light upward, throwing light up to bounce off the ceiling and wall. Torchieres create a glow of fairly even illumination, and are great for adding drama to a room.

Each of these types of lamps are available in a wide range of styles to fit in any environment or room in a home, whether contemporary, transitional, traditional, rustic, tuscan, whimsical, or any exciting mix that expands and enhances the personal feel of the home.

When selecting lamps for a room, choose styles that work well together, but that don't necessarily match. For example, it's tempting to use identical lamps on either side of a sofa, but this is something that I never do. It's much more interesting to use different lamps that are similar in scale, but unique in their own personality. In addition to scale, the lamps should relate to each other through design, color, or materials. For example, think about using several unique lamps that have the same or similar colored shades. Or unique lamps that have the same colors in them.

Your home will feel much warmer and more inviting with the inclusion of lamps that complement each other. Lamps can become the determining factor in how much a room is enjoyed, how functional it is, and in many cases, how beautiful it can be.

You can now find designer lamps just like the ones that I use with my own clients. Please visit Innovations Designer Home Decor and browse through our large selection of unique and beautiful lamps. I've even recommended lamps that work well together to make it easier for you to choose. I've personally selected each lamp, and I've written a designer note with my comments about each one. I hope you enjoy our online boutique and that you're able to find just the right lamps to fill your home with light and warmth.