Set the MOOD

Hasmita Amtha looks at how you can enhance your home with mood lighting

- Hasmita Amtha

With natural light in abundance in South Africa, we often forget the importance of efficient lighting for when the sun goes down. Gone are the days when a simple central light and a dimmer switch did the trick. Now effective lighting requires a comprehensive plan, with functional/task, mood and accent lighting all playing a vital role.

Guy van der Walt of Hoi P’loy sheds light on the subject: “It’s best to begin by differentiating between functional and atmospheric lighting. While functional lighting plays an invaluable role in practical illumination, it can often appear cold and without ‘soul’. This is where mood lighting offers an alternative objective. It’s there to set the atmospheric tone of a space so that it evokes a particular emotional experience.”

Looking at mood lighting, we share all you need to know on getting the right balance for your home with expert insight from lighting specialists:

WHERE AND WHY

According to Van der Walt, the most common places you would focus on mood lighting would be areas of relaxation and entertainment. “Typically, these are rooms where bright light is not required, and so by leading with softer lights of warm hues you can transform the space into an inviting sanctuary. This would create, for example, a romantic ambience in a master bedroom, or a restaurant-like atmosphere over a dining table.”