The Importance of Good Lighting

Fratantoni Design • October 11, 2023

The Importance of Good Lighting

Here at Fratantoni Design, we understand the importance of good lighting and the role lighting plays in creating an aesthetic experience for your new custom home. From table and floor lamps to wall sconces and chandeliers, lighting fixtures serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. As Arizona custom luxury home architects, we see multiple different variations of lighting from the interior of the home to the exterior. 

Functionality:

While you are designing your custom home, as mentioned in “Step Four of Designing a Custom Luxury Home” , planning lighting fixtures and outlets is one of the most crucial steps. Lighting is used to enhance or soften the look of a room depending on the color temperature. It is important to note, the temperature is the lightbulb itself and not the fixture! 

Color temperature is important to understand! Functionality goes hand in hand with color temperature. One common practice is for spaces such as a kitchen, office, bathrooms, hallway, etc. to have cool lighting. Cool lighting promotes energy and awareness and is high in blue light. Most often, cool lighting is used for spaces with high activity and productivity such as the spaces above. For example, a kitchen with cool lighting will mimic natural light and brighten the space to make visibility easier. Or in an office, cool lighting will keep you awake and aware of the tasks you are working on!

Below is The Royal Chateau primary suite. Often, for vanities where you will be applying makeup, it is common to have cool lighting that mimics natural light!

 

A bathroom with a vanity , stool , mirror and fireplace.

 

Furthermore, warm lighting is usually used for bedrooms, living rooms, and outdoor living spaces. Warm lighting is soft and inviting and enhances comfort. For an outdoor living space, warm light ensures you have a gentle glow without heavy light pollution and brightness from a cool light.

Below this gorgeous great room has warm lighting, promoting calm and comfort, and a relaxing place to unwind after a long day.

A living room with a fireplace and a flat screen tv

 

Aesthetic:

In all cases, the aesthetic of the room depends on the color of the room or the materials that are in use. There are circumstances where the color temperature of a room may not be following common practices as we describe in the functionality section. After all, one great thing about your custom home is; that it is yours to design! You can adjust lighting to any style of home. 

Lastly, depending on the fixture, you are adding more design elements to your home. With intricate decorative lighting, you have both a light source and a focal piece! Below is the Royal Chateau formal living room. When you walk into a room, one of the first things you do is look up. Here, detailed millwork and a large glowing chandelier meet your eye. The design elements and gold color of the chandelier, complement the gold accents of the furniture. Overall, lighting can assist you in your design goals, and the next time you want to spruce up a room, think about your lighting first!

 

The Royal Chateau Lighting

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