Lighting, space and how they affect your flooring

Lighting can have an immense effect on how your flooring appears and can be a cheap and easy way to change up your flooring and really make it pop. It can also mean that the flooring may not look the same in the showroom as it does in your home. This article will cover some of the points to keep in mind when you choose a flooring type or lighting for your home.

How does lighting change flooring colour?

With all flooring types especially hardwood and synthetic wood floorings. Lighting can do one of three things:

• Warm it Up:

  Warmer lighting will give your flooring a warmer tone making your flooring cosier and richer in colour. This lighting can be used to warm up a space, making it a calmer and more relaxing environment perfect for colder winter mornings and nights or relaxing on a Sunday afternoon. Warmer lighting is perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, hallways or other spaces that don't require crisp analytical lighting.

  

• Keep it natural:

  Natural lighting provides a perfect midpoint between warm and cool lighting giving some warmth to flooring but also providing a far more analytical whiter light. Natural lighting is perfect for during the day or in rooms where you need a little more analytical light such as the kitchen and bathrooms.

• Cool it Down:

  Cool lighting or white lights will add a grey tinge to your flooring and room. This can turn rich browns into a more mellow light greyish-brown colour. White cool lights are perfect for kitchens, Bathrooms and home offices.

  

Matching your lighting to your floors

By using different tones of light you can change up the mood of a room and really make your flooring pop. However, working out what lighting works best for your floor can be a bit hit-and-miss. A good way to test different shades is to use smart LED lights. These lights let you change the colour from your phone letting you test a wide variety of tones without having to pay for multiple light bulbs. Another way is to go to a flooring showroom and speak to the team there as they will be able to point you in the right direction and suggest a lighting type to suit your flooring. If you are still unsure or want a starting point here are a few tips:

• Warm for Warm & Cool for Cool:

  If you have warm-coloured floors such as rich wood floors and red, and brown carpets go for a warmer lighting choice as it will accentuate the warmth and richness of these floors. If you have lighter floors such as white tiles, white-washed wood, and light carpets a cool white lighting choice will let these floors shine and keep the room feeling light and airy.

• Mix it Up:

  If you want to mix it up you can invert the above point and run a warmer but not too warm light with lighter flooring colours to bring a little more richness to them or to bring a bit more warmth to a room that might be a little too bright with white cool lighting. Or if your home is naturally dark due to higher amounts of wood or darker paints and cabinetry a cooler lighting choice will brighten up the space.

If you are still unsure as to what flooring and lighting combination is best for you contact your local flooring team or visit their showroom. If you are on the Sunshine Coast, Impact Floors is your go-to flooring team we can help you choose a flooring type and lighting choice to make your home or business pop. Contact our team today for all your flooring needs.