Planning your basement lighting plays a big role in your comfort and your ability to move around safely and comfortably in your home. From time to time, you may have looked at your living space and realized that you need to make a change. This can take on different forms, such as adding a room to your home, finishing the basement, or just opening up a room to create a better flow. Even on the smallest scale, this type of project requires attention to every detail. One of these is the way your basement lighting is set up, and whether it can be improved for better space planning or ambiance. Here are some lighting ideas that can work in any home renovation:

DIMMER SWITCHES

Your need for brightness will vary depending on what you are doing and the room you’re currently occupying. If you are at you work desk, or the kids are doing homework, then proper illumination is essential. However, dimming the lights can set the right ambiance for watching a movie or having a romantic dinner. Dimmer switches are an incredible addition to the basement family room.

DIRECTIONAL LIGHTING

These lights can add an ultra-modern touch to your living space and help highlight specific areas. Some types of directional lighting uses shrouds, similar to lamp shades, which come in various sizes depending on the product you choose. The important thing to remember is that they are not ideal for every setting. However, they can be used to emphasize certain characteristics of the interior such as artwork and photographs on a wall. They’re a wonderful way to illuminate otherwise dark corners in the basement. Paired with a rich, warm wall color, directional lighting creates an amazing effect.

LAMPS AND FOCUS LIGHTING

There will be times when you do not need the entire interior space to be lit. Whether you want to do some reading or balance your checkbook on the computer, the right lamp can provide plenty of lighting. If you choose lamps with shades, ensure that they suit the decor of your interior. Choose the right bulbs to create the ambiance you desire. Pay close attention to how lighting affects the paint colors you’ve already chosen.

Special Needs and Aging in Place

Not so much a basement lighting design, but this is an even bigger concern today as more focus is being placed on dealing with the needs of people with physical limitations in other areas of the home. People with mobility issues may have difficulty reaching for and using light switches. Motion sensor lights can be set to come on when someone enters a room. Some lights can also be configured to come on as the daylight fades.

The right type of lighting can boost the functionality of your basement, so don’t select the first products you come across. Planning is key to making the changes that you truly need. It will help if you can see a 3-dimensional representation of what the home will look like after the work is done. Talk to us at Matrix Basement Remodeling about your interior planning needs if you want to explore the possibilities.