You may have noticed before that certain lighting environments can cause you to feel more relaxed whilst others can feel jarring or leave you on edge. This is because light can play a very important role in our mental and emotional wellbeing. Light levels affect our circadian rhythm (the body’s natural clock) which in turn has a direct impact on our energy levels and sleep patterns.
Just as natural daylight can stimulate our brains to produce serotonin, which makes us feel alert, artificial lighting can also play a part in the way our minds and bodies feel. To this end, there are ways you can ensure your home lighting is working to improve your mood and wellbeing – one of which is through lampshade colours.
Neutrals to create layered lighting
Multifunctional spaces such as living rooms which can be used for working or relaxing, and kitchens which may be used to both cook and dine in, will sometimes call for layered lighting. Layered lighting provides for both ambience and direct lighting which helps you carry out tasks such as reading or cooking. To achieve this effect, you can use a combination of different types of lighting by mixing and matching lampshades in neutral tones to allow light to be diffused easily but also remove ultra bright light tones. Introducing neutral-coloured lamp shades will tick both boxes and can help you maintain a controlled amount of light that is neither too harsh nor too low so you can complete daily tasks and relax simultaneously.
Whites and pastels to allow for plenty of light
In high-traffic and functional rooms such as those where you work from home or get ready to go out, you will need the option of plentiful light. In these areas it is important to maximise on your light sources, including not hindering the flow of light by using dark lampshades.
These types of rooms call for lamp shades in whites, creams and off-whites or soft, pastel tones to allow for the most light possible to be emitted from the bulb.
Yellow tones to create cosiness
When it is time to rest, either for your nightly sleep or just a relaxing afternoon, warm yellow tones are ideal to help you to achieve a calm and cosy environment. Warming colour schemes also work well for entertainers who might like to dim the overhead lights and create a sense of atmosphere and intimacy in the dining or living space. Your bedside lamps should also emit a soft, warm glow, which will help you get ready to drift off to sleep.
Various coloured lampshades for different times of the day
It is often recommend that simulated natural light levels should be used as much as possible. So, in the day time you should try to create an environment with stronger and brighter lighting, which will help you to concentrate on your tasks, whereas at night you should lower the level of lighting to help you wind down for a good night’s sleep. Where lamps are concerned, this may mean having a lighter lamp shade (white or light blue) in your working space to help the lamp emit as much light as possible while you work, but darker coloured or yellow-toned lamp shades in the room where you sleep.