By Flora Nicole. Light. Friday, January 19th 2018, 23:30:25 PM.
Have a beautiful or shapely ceiling? Uplights will bring attention to it and indirectly bounce light back down. Plus they are often combined with a wall washer so the architecture is fully on display. Uplights can also act as wall washers when installed in the floor especially in contemporary homes. The effect of many wall washers and pot lights can be a bit modernist and even a little cold so use this effect only if you enjoy a minimalist gallery-inspired look. Ultimately when implemented correctly a great lighting scheme won’t necessarily be the first thing you notice. But layers of light coming together to bring out the best in your space will make sure that wherever your eyes do fall all they will see is a perfect photo-ready finish.
Track lighting got a bit of a bad reputation in the 1990s but when used properly it is still functional and beautiful especially for the kitchen. Pot lights aimed straight down will add general illumination but not necessarily hit the counter. An angled ceiling light on a track can put task lighting exactly where you need it. Undercabinet lighting can also achieve a similar effect. Combining both will make task lighting in the kitchen look effortless.
In a renovation on the other hand we have to consider what effect a new skylight will have on the efficiency of the existing building. In some cases the additional sunlight (and therefore heat) can help reduce the amount of energy needed to heat the house. It depends greatly on the local climate but also on the design of the building envelope of the house.