When most people start the process of designing their new loft conversion - either mentally or in real life with the help of an architect - they envisage a perfect, practical space. But what most people don’t realise is that unless you get your lighting spot on, there will be no magical transformation! Adding a good source of natural light, perhaps through skylight windows or a dormer, as well as a well-thought out artificial lighting scheme, is one of the best ways you can create a warm and welcoming space within your loft.
How do I add natural light through skylight windows?
Natural light is important in any room. It makes a room feel bigger and will contribute to the overall ambience. Your new loft conversion also has the added advantage of being positioned at the top of the house, and therefore skylight windows are a great option for adding light to your new loft room.
Use your new loft conversion’s enviable position at the top of the house to add a loft skylight to your new room and let the natural light flood into the room. The good news is a loft conversion with skylight is one of the most budget friendly types of attic extension when built with just skylight windows, and loft skylights can also be added to more complex designs – such as those which include a dormer window or floor to ceiling windows with a Juliet balcony – to really fill the space with natural light.
How do a I light up my loft conversion with artificial light?
As well as adding natural light through skylight windows and / or other loft windows, it’s important to think about how your artificial lighting scheme will work for ambience when substituting daylight. Will it need to work as task lighting when there’s a need for practicality or if the room is to double as a workroom?
These are all aspects to think about when designing your new loft conversion’s artificial lighting scheme, as well as how you can create atmosphere through accent lighting.
Think carefully about how you want different areas of the room to look and feel. For example, you may wish to create a relaxing atmosphere in a bedroom space and adjoining ensuite bathroom, but if the room is to double as a study area during the day, you will also need good lighting under which to work. This could be achieved through both hard-wired lighting and floor and desk lamps.
What types of lighting should I consider?
There are different types of lighting to consider depending on what you need from your artificial lighting. These include:
- Low-Energy Lights: If you want to reduce both your energy bill and your carbon footprint, low energy lights are a good option in any room. Remember that some patience is required with this type of lighting, as they burn brighter the longer they are on and therefore may not be best for work areas where strong light is often required instantly.
- Halogen Spotlights: These lights are known for their brightness and are most commonly used to mimic daylight. If you aren’t able to add too many skylight windows and your room lacks natural light, these are a good choice as ceiling lights.
- Directional Spotlights: If you want to create a design statement and are lucky enough to have exposed beams within your new loft conversion, why not use directional spotlights to point the light exactly where you need it?
- Wall Sconces: Where you have a large expanse of wall space, such as a gable end, wall sconces are a great way of adding accent light to create atmosphere as they generally give off a softer light than ceiling lights.
- Free Standing Lamps: Free standing lamps are another excellent way of adding atmospheric accent light as they can be placed as and where you like to match your interior design scheme. Once you have been using your new room for a few months, you may wish to add free standing lamps in areas where you feel they are required.
Should I add dimmer switches to my lighting scheme?
Putting all lights on a dimmer switch is one of the best interior design moves you can make in your new room, as you can control how much light is given out at any point during the day or night. This will mean that you can enjoy your room at any time and set the mood as required, literally at the touch of a button!
Skylight windows or artificial lighting? Bespoke Lofts can help you light up your loft conversion in a variety of ways.
If you need help with any aspect of your new loft conversion, from loft skylight to creative lighting design, please feel free to ask for a quote from Bespoke Lofts.
At the design stage, we can help you to add skylight windows, as well as other types of windows such as floor to ceiling windows or a dormer, and can complement this with an artificial lighting scheme too. Get in touch today for a free, no obligation quote and let’s help you light up your loft conversion.