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Achieving the right look is often all about the lighting
L ighting matters. When it comes to realizing your de- sign goals, how you light your space can make every bit of differ- ence in a room’s function and visu- al appeal. Here, interior designer Shaleesa Mize with Pacific Design Co. in Spokane helps us navigate the challenge of lighting. >> Scale and rhythm: When con- sidering new fixtures for a space, one of the most important factors to deter- mine is the scale of the fixture in the room. Unfortunately, this is common- ly overlooked and can be a difficult process for many. The complexity of this task increases with features such as high ceilings, large open rooms or oversized islands — all common trends in today’s design world. The size, quantity and spacing be- tween fixtures are important details, and if one of these is done improp- erly, the result will feel wrong. Too many recessed cans out of fear of “not
enough light” can alternatively end up looking like an airstrip. Too small of island pendants can accidentally date your kitchen back to the mini- pendant fad. And finally, the hang height of fixtures also needs to be considered so the fixture feels like it’s part of the room without causing glare from an exposed bulb in a di- rect sight line. Tip: An easy rule to remember is 4-inch cans, consider 4 feet spacing and 6-inch cans, consider 6 feet of space. Pendant lights between 14-18 inches in diameter usually call for a set of three, while oversized pendants in the range of 20-24 inches can usu- ally drop to just two fixtures. >> Balance: In addition to scale, balance is another important consid- eration for fixture placement. Balance does not mean symmetrical! In fact, asymmetrical placement can also cre- ate balance in a space, depending on other factors of the design. Perfect
symmetry can feel formal and tradi- tional, while asymmetry can lean a bit more casual or modern. Tip: Get playful! Consider an asym- metrical chandelier in an otherwise symmetrical space to bring in an un- expected feature. Too much symmetry can feel boring and predictable. >> Color temperature: One of the biggest mistakes made in light- ing is using the wrong color tempera- ture. Thankfully, it’s also the easiest to fix by switching the bulbs. Many homeowners make the mistake of purchasing bulbs with cooler tem- peratures, including the “daylight” option, thinking it will feel more nat- ural. Also, don’t be fooled by lan- guage such as “bright white,” which sounds appealing to those who want to ensure a space is well lit. Howev- er, bright white is a cool color tem- perature that will lead to the space feeling sterile and harsh. Adequate lighting comes from the layout, spac-
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