Decorative lighting: options for beautiful lighting, lighting fixtures, ideas for different rooms


decorative lighting

Decorative lighting – a design method of lighting interior design. This is a great opportunity to emphasize accents, create a unique atmosphere, disguise the shortcomings of the situation. In this article we will discuss the goals and ways of creative lighting.

The tasks of decorative light

Decorative lighting does not replace the main – it becomes a stunning addition. The main goal of designers is to make the design of rooms more expressive. 

It is important not to overdo it when implementing ideas. It should immediately determine what is better to highlight the light: the walls, decorative elements or furniture. 

You can combine different lighting effects in the same room. Dynamics, color, flickering – winning solutions to create a unique interior.

Backlighting in the interior: tools for implementing ideas

If the idea of decoration has already matured, it’s time to choose ways of implementation. Let’s talk about lighting devices that will help to achieve the goal.

Decorative lighting fixtures.

This category includes open sconces and miniature spotlights. The former are suitable for highlighting the walls, the latter – for furniture. Mini-fixtures can be built into the facades of kitchen sets, cabinets, closet systems.

Sconces for decorative lighting

Mini-light fixtures for decorative lighting

Garlands

With the help of garlands you can decorate interior items, furniture, walls, windows. Multicolored lights will enliven the familiar surroundings and create a romantic atmosphere.

From long garlands you can create original wall compositions. Another interesting idea is to put the bulbs in a transparent vessel. Soft shimmers of light in a glass bulb will give a sense of holiday and magic.

Edison bulbs

Vintage glass-cased lamps look stunning in both classic and modern interiors. The products look equally organically both singly and in a “bouquet”. 

Edison lamps are suspended on special cords. The lower the decor is, the more interesting the effect. Due to the unique design of the product, even when switched off, they create a special entourage.

Neon signs

Neon signs are also often used as colorful lighting for the room. Compositions of thin tubes filled with gas look original on the walls. This decoration is a great option for modern interiors. 

Neon figures are ideal for the decor of the bedroom, kitchen, children’s room. They look especially beautiful against the background of dark walls and interior items. You can pick up decor in the form of a thematic inscription that will lift your spirits.

LED tapes

LED strips – the most popular option for creating illumination. A huge advantage of products – the ability to mount any surface and object. Designers actively implement such devices in different interior styles. With their help, it is easy to implement even the most unexpected ideas.

LED Strip: a description, types, benefits

LED Strip – a board with LEDs connected in series with each other. The device works by passing an electric current through the elements of the system. Voltage control is carried out with special transformers. 

The brightness of the light depends on the number of LEDs per meter of substrate. Possible options: boards with 30,60, 90, 120, 240 elements. The more parts, the brighter and richer the glow.

Types of LED strips:

  • Monochrome (SMD): ribbons that glow in only one color. For example: blue (B), red (R), green (G), white (W). 
  • Multicolored (RGB): Ribbons that are capable of changing colors. The effects can be easily controlled by controllers. Some models are equipped with a system of algorithms that allow you to set a specific program of work. Multicolor ribbons most often glow green, red and blue, but sometimes white is added to this palette. Cool or warm shades are possible. The former will be referred to as RGBW, the latter as RGBWW.
  • Side glow tapes: products with LEDs located on the end part. The only difference from the standard models is the emission of light at an angle of 120 degrees.
  • Tape “running light”: ribbon with addressable chips to change the lighting scenarios. The main advantage of the products is the ability to change the brightness and color of individual LEDs.

Some types of tapes are available in a waterproof sealed housing. Such products are suitable for installation in rooms with high humidity or on outdoor constructions. Devices of the open type are more often used for highlighting furniture and decorative elements in dry rooms, because LEDs are not protected from mechanical influences and moisture ingress. 

The main advantages of LED strips: economical power consumption, safety, ease of installation. With these lights you can organize a spectacular decorative design in a few minutes.

Interior with backlighting: the methods and trends of decorative lighting

Decorative lighting is always in fashion – only trends change. Let’s discuss the most popular trends.

Lighting photos, frames, pictures, mirrors

It is possible to use LED-tape for illumination. To create the effect, it is enough to mount it around the perimeter of the object. Decor elements look best in the rays of a warm white color. 

For the light design of paintings and mirrors, there are special diode fixtures with convenient mounting. They produce streams of light directed upwards or downwards.

Lighted curtain rails

If there is a hidden cornice in the room, you can highlight this area with light. Ideal colors for backlighting: blue, yellow, purple, pink. Warm white tone is also a great option, but bright decoration will look more interesting. Backdrop design ideas will help inspire interior feats. 

Backlighting of staircase steps

The easiest and fastest way to make a decorative staircase illumination – to decorate the steps with LED tape. For this purpose it is ideal to use self-adhesive copies of the plastic plastic material. You can fix the tape under each step or along the passage.

For creative step illumination, miniature diode lights can be used. It is important not to miscalculate with the number of elements, so that the glow was not too bright. The choice should be made taking into account the length of the step.

Baseboard lighting

Decorative lighting near the floor – not only an original accent, but also a safety measure. In this case, you do not have to turn on the overhead light, moving around the room at night.

For the organization of lighting is suitable colored LED strip. It can be mounted directly in the baseboards or above them. The first option is appropriate if the strips are made of light, thin plastic.

Backlighting niches

Niches in the walls can be highlighted with LED-tape or wireless sconces. When installing products, it is important to remember – the larger the recess, the brighter the illumination should be. Miniature niches are best decorated with LED strip, placing it around the perimeter.

Colorful illumination of two-level ceilings

Two-level ceiling – a godsend for lighting designers. The shaped surface can be decorated with miniature built-in lighting fixtures or LED strips.

Concealed lighting is ideal for double height ceilings. The lamps are “hidden” in the plasterboard construction, so the streams of light seem muted and mysterious.

decorative lighting

Backlit walls in the interior: ideas for decorating different rooms

With the help of decorative lighting can change the visual perception of space and emphasize the finish of the walls. Surfaces can be decorated with garlands, neon compositions, LED strips. 

There is a worthy alternative to these methods – lights with built-in LED-lamps. They produce a warm, diffused light, which softly “spreads” on the wall. 

It is very important to find a favorable zone for design. Let’s discuss the nuances of placing lighting elements in different rooms.

Kitchen

In the kitchen, you can highlight the working area with decorative lighting. The easiest way to do this is with the help of miniature lights. Neon decor and compositions from diode threads are better placed above the dining table.

Living room

All options of light design are suitable for the living room. Here neon figures and inscriptions, lamps, sconces, LED strips are appropriate. If there are decorative elements on the walls, you can highlight them.

Bedroom

The optimal area to place light compositions – the wall above the headboard of the bed. The space can be decorated with a colored neon inscription. To enhance the effect it is advisable to place beautiful sconces symmetrically.

Hallway

The hallway does not receive natural light, so it is worth taking care of good artificial lighting. Decorative LED lights and sconces are the best options. It is best to place them on a long wall equidistant from each other. In this case, the streams of light will penetrate into every corner of the room.

If there is a mirror on the wall, it should be highlighted by lighting and it. Special lamps are perfect for this purpose.

Do not hold back your imagination – sometimes daring ideas turn out to be a winning interior design option. A little creativity, and beautiful lighting will delight you and your guests at home.