Tips to help you properly light your bedroom

I receive a lot of questions about bedroom lighting, so I thought I would answer them all in one go with a post! 

Many ask, "why is having the correct bedroom lighting so important?" The answer; light around the home affects your mental and psychological state. Living in a dark and gloomy environment will dampen your mood.

Whether you retire to a small alcove or grand master suite, you probably use your bedroom for more than simply sleeping. Bedroom lighting ranges from basic to bold; dimmed to dramatic.

Help are some tips to help you properly light your bedroom:
Size MattersBefore buying bedroom lighting, first determine the size of room. Take your room measurements, along with outlet locations and furniture placement to a lighting showroom or speak to an interior designer. It is important to have an even spread of light throughout the space.

Height RightThe scale of the bedroom in relation to the light source is crucial to consider prior to purchasing. If your bedroom ceiling is low, avoid fixtures with longer bodies. It would be wiser to purchase a light with shorter or flush wall - mounted fixtures.

Room to GlowYour bedroom might serve more than one purpose; do you have a sewing machine, a small office, or a reading nook? All these spaces require direct lighting, but a sitting area begs for softer, shaded fixtures, so it is best to have varying light sources.

The Lighter SideAvoid shades on lamps or lights that are too opaque, otherwise your bedroom will be too dark. The fixtures may look nice, but the light will not be as functional. When buying a table lamp, opt for one with a softly diffused shade. Spend a moment to see how you turn it on and off to make sure it is not going to be too difficult to manage when you are in bed. My design aesthetic MUST combine aesthetics with functionality, hence the name "design, form & FUNCTION" ;)

Location, Location, LocationDon't install lights directly over the bed. You will tend to look up at them while you are laying in bed and direct light from overhead is less comfortable than soft light at face level.

Get in the MoodA strong dose of ambience is also important in the bedroom. I suggest installing dimmers on lights to allow you to change the desired effect. Softer or colored light bulbs can also change a room's mood.

Closet ConditionsFew things are more frustrating that dark closets. Closets need good light, but be careful not to put a hot light bulb too near delicate clothes.

If all else fails, make sure you have ample natural light!

Elle x

Follow me at www.facebook.com/designformfunction 

or email me at elle@luluolive.com.au for design questions or assistance!

via Lighting Association

Space + Colour

The interior design colour you choose for your space will influence the effect the room has on clients, yourself and your work and those around you. By understanding how this works, you can then deliberately select the colour to get your desired effect and feel. 

It is common knowledge now that a colour affects everyone's mood. Recently on the blog someone asked for advice with decorating a white office with a little hint of colour.

In fact, the key to using white successfully in your interior design scheme is to add interest in ways other than colour. The overall effect you can get will depend very much upon the styles of furniture, fabrics, furnishings, floorings and accessories, which you choose.

Have a look at how these white spaces were totally changed by adding a delicate touch of colour. 

Colour can be introduced in many ways;

adding a feature piece of furniture to a space. Introducing colour through a chair is an interesting and easy to change way to liven up a space.

A similar effect can be achieved by bringing in small items spotted around the space.

A coloured rug not only add... colour, but also brings warmth and texture into the equation.

Colour does not always have to be drastic. Here colour has been used in the form of wooden panels, the wooden legs of the chair, coloured glass vases, and the light blue in the painting.

Wood is an easy and clever way to use existing furniture to bring colour and tone into your surrounding.

A pin board is a very useful tool in an office but there is no need to buy a cork board. Think about using a fabric covering and using a colour or even a print.

Colour can also be established in a space by using different types of fabrics. This space has incorporated a woollen rug, and 4 leather chairs in different tones.

Adding black and wooden detailing to a space brings a sense of drama. Try not to overlook black when hunting for something interesting.

And finally, you know I love texture so I will remind you... Introducing different types of textures into  a space is a clever way to allow colours and tones to sparkle. 

Artwork is a fun way to add colour to a space and the best part is, you can change it at any time!

Ok, just one more, don't over look lighting. A copper or chrome pendant light or an interesting lamp shade can lighten up a space in more than one way.

Working with colour is not easy. 

My number one rule when it comes to colour;

If you aren't 100% sure don't spend too much on colourful items. Rather spend less and change them more often. This makes the decision process easier while also allowing you to change your mind and space to suit your mood.

Elle x

All images via Pinterest and LivingTec

Looking for a make a wall just a little more beautiful?

Is there a wall at you home or office that is flat, lifeless & not terribly beautiful?

How warm, interesting & creative does this wall feel?

Adding a natural creeper to a wall does take time but is an easy way to bring colour, interest & texture to a space. Besides, there's enough brick in this world, so why not make it a little prettier. (Think of it as a little make up for your wall!)

Elle x

Bedroom on a budget

As requested by one of our first readers, this post is directed towards students who are attempting to design on a budget.

 

What’s the most expensive thing in a bedroom? Right, it’s bed and any furniture you are willing to have there. While you can’t really do it without bed, you sure can without any additional furniture. So let’s start with the essential part of the bedroom, which is bed. It doesn’t have to be expensive or big if you are living alone. Go with smaller modest beds like the one in the picture below. It will save you a bit money for the rest of your decor.



As for other furniture in the room, think about what you really need and what you really don’t need, if you plan to buy some chairs just for the bedroom but do not plan to use them, then what’s the point? A minimalist approach doesn’t take away from the bedroom’s decor if it is done right. Having said that, having a single chair in the corner of a room is a cheap and effective feature for the space.

Use bold colours to brighten up the rooms and artwork with similar colours to create unison. Do not under estimate the power of paint. Repainting your space white will invite more natural light while also providing a blank canvas. 

If your are, however, more into neutral and calm colour schemes go with floral patterned wallpaper in neutral tones. It will not only enrich your bedroom but will also give it a warmer look. Of course, wallpaper is more expensive than certain paints both in terms of price and installation but in the long-run quality wallpaper can serve you for a long period of time.



The pops of colour in this space all work well as they are within the same yellow tones but don't go out a purchase anything that catches your eye. Your space should be built up over time by items you enjoy and have meaning.

Even if you want a calm bedroom be sure to add accents in deeper shades here and there in order to make it look stylish and finished. Get everything out except the most essential parts of the room like bed and a night table or lamp. Thus you can make the smallest room in the house a stylish minimalist room for rest and lounge where nothing will distract you from sleep.



Don't be afraid to try a little DIY. It is cheap, easy and enjoyable to rummage through garage sales and turn old mirrors, frame or wooden pieces into something spectacular.


 

The bed linen you chose should represent who you are as a person. You might think this sounds a little strange but you should not be purchasing something that you don't love. If you aren't quite sure at to what that is at this stage stick with neutral colours. Don't under estimate white linen for starters. But it can always be brought to life with fantastic cushions. See my post on cushions here.

 

Lighting is what finishes a space off, it is a mood changer. Don't be afraid of doing something a little different. See my post on industrial lighting. 

 

Elle x

 

 

 

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Images via Interholic

Who am I?

Here I am...

After sharing a room with my sister for many years, the excitement of moving into my own space was almost too much to handle. I remember lying on my bed with my hair hanging over the edge staring endlessly out of the ceiling to floor window. I vividly remember waking up in the middle of the night to rearrange my room. These days nothing has changed, except I now re-design my friends' rooms too.

After aspiring all throughout high school to be a physiotherapist, a last minute decision by my sister landed me in a design degree. (Thank you!) Four years later and now a qualified designer I am still staring out of the same window and still constantly re-designing my room. During my 4 year university degree I directed most of my attention towards textile and graphic design, finding great meaning from both. 
I am currently studying Interior Design while practising design across the board and loving every moment of what I do. 

The passion for my interior design work lies in taking a house and turning it into a home and establishing a space people can call their own. Consulting on projects whether it be a medical suite or the privacy of a couples bedroom brings equal reward.

You have to be comfortable enough in your space to make a mess!

My graphic design skills have progressed over the years with my strength in print design. Creating wedding invitations is a rewarding team effort. Together with the bride and groom I enjoy working to capture both their personalities and bringing together their style and the start of their new lives. 

Establishing a new business is no easy task but finding the perfect logo, slogan and all round business identity should be. I thrive on the task of creating logos, business cards and website layouts for clients ranging from edibles to IT professionals. 

In my down time you can find me with my loved ones or near the water.

When working on projects my clients notice I 'rarely talk without a smile on my face'. I enjoy what I do, and I hope you enjoy it too.

Feel free to contact me for a chat via the Facebook page
www.facebook.com/designformfunction

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Elle x