Not long ago a standard light bulb in the majority of homes, was either a 100 watt, 60 watt or 40 watt incandescent bulb. The only function of these light bulbs was to provide us with adequate light to enable us to go about our daily lives. They were relatively cheap to buy and at that stage in our lives, environmentally friendly was not a well-used phrase.

 All that has changed now as due to global warming and the environment becoming a major issue, an EU directive in 2009 lead to a Government ban on the import of incandescent bulbs to the European Union by 2012. The main reason for the ban was that around 90 per cent of the energy that goes into an incandescent bulb gets turned into heat not light which is now treated as environmentally unfriendly.

As a result of this we have had compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and halogen bulbs to choose from, but more recently we have been introduced to LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs and lights of other formats. Bright fluorescent lighting sets the tone for working efficiently in an office or providing adequate lighting in supermarket aisles. When we move to leisure activities in cinemas, restaurants, bars and night clubs, once again the mood of the evening is set by the use of lighting. Low intensity, dim, often coloured lighting is used to relax us 

One of the results of the ban on incandescent bulbs is that with increased production levels of LEDs has brought the price of what had been an expensive item to a more affordable level as production and sales increased dramatically. This has encouraged the use of them in the home as they are seen as being both reasonably priced and efficient to run. Being solid state, they are also much longer lasting and therefore much more cost effective in the longer term.

LEDs offer much more than a 60 watt bulb, they can be used to set the mood in different rooms or areas in the home, accentuate features in either the décor or for that matter furnishings or appliances. It is also said that good use of lighting can draw people’s eyes to or away from specific features of a room. If you want to show off some artwork or a feature mirror, use lighting to highlight it. It you have a less attractive feature in your room then keep it in the shade. Good lighting can also make a room appear bigger and the correct choice of colour, such as a hint of orange can also make a large work-space like a warehouse appear warmer

Staring at a bright screen in a darker room causes eye strain, so consider adding bias lighting behind your television or computer monitor. Our eyes would normally adjust their brightness across their entire field of view, but a harsh contrast in brightness leaves our eyes feeling strained. By adding bias lighting, either white or coloured, behind a television screen or computer monitor, it raises the ambient light in the room and specifically behind the screen which causes less strain on your eyes, without killing the mood with bright overhead lights.

Lighting for any room is best done in layers, ambient light works in the same way as natural sunlight, it bathes your entire room in light and is provided by ceiling lights, either pendants or recessed spotlights. Accent lighting, works as a feature enhancer to highlight a painting, an alcove or a feature wall, basically, to add light to whatever you want people to look at when they walk into the room. Task lightening is more of a focused type of lighting that helps you if you are reading, writing and working. An effective lighting plan will incorporate all three types of lighting fixtures in the room. 

While creating the layers of light in a room it is very important to keep in mind what that space will be used for. You should look at the light bulb’s Kelvin rating or colour temperature to determine what kind of light you want that room to have. Soft white light is probably best suited for a living area or bedroom as they are places to relax or rest, so lights should be peaceful and smooth. Bright white bulbs are best for areas of activity such as kitchens or a study. Once you have settled on the right ambient light, add the other layers into the mix to create the best overall lighting effect.

LED lights do not have to be plug-in bulbs, people are now increasingly making use of LED strip lights. These are lengths of tape with LED diodes placed along the length of the tape an even distance from one another. LED strip lights are a novel and creative way to light up your home or garden. They can be used above kitchen units or as under cabinet lighting in the kitchen, skirting board level lighting in hallways and on stairways or to illuminate wardrobes and cupboards. 

LED strip lights are not limited to indoor projects. The waterproof LED strip lights are IP65 rated with a silicone resin material that protects the strip components from dust and moisture. The waterproof LED lights are a little more expensive but are a must for any project that is outdoors or close to water. In the garden they can be used to illuminate paths or driveways. 

You can be as creative as you like with their usage as they are flexible, can be cut to length as required and you can buy them in different colours. As an added bonus, LED strip lights use around 90% less electricity than standard bulbs, making strip lights an energy efficient alternative for creatively lighting up your home. 

LED strip lights are easy to install, simply measure the length you need, mark it off and cut the tape to length. The tape is self-adhesive and will adhere to most clean, even, dry surfaces. They can be connected to mains power via a 12V power supply.

Add to all of this the fact that LED lights of any type can be controlled by downloading the appropriate App to your phone. Not only can you be creative with your lighting designs, you can have the added advantage of switching them on or off remotely or on a timer and can change the brightness and colour of the light with the press of a button on your phone or remote controller.

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