Hanging lamps and chandeliers: the importance of color in your interior
The color of a room has a notable impact on brightness. In fact, it's not enough to choose a bulb with the right wattage or color to get a well-lit house or apartment. You also need to bank on the color of the room, especially that of the walls and ceiling.
The choice of wall color should take several criteria into consideration. This includes above all the volume of the room, whether or not there are one or more openings, as well as the size of these openings.
Ideally, natural light remains the best way to illuminate any room. However, not every room in the house can benefit from natural light. That's why you need to find other possibilities and install the right light fittings to optimize the brightness of your interior. If you're opting for hanging lights or chandeliers, here's a guide to help you choose the perfect color for your walls and ceilings. But before we get into the details, it makes sense to understand the benefits of opting for pendant lights and chandeliers.
Why opt for pendant lights and chandeliers?
Lamps and pendants are increasingly making their way into interior design. The lights thus perform a dual role: lighting the home and optimizing its interior. It's true that chandeliers and suspension lights have certain similarities, so much so that they're often confused. Nevertheless, it's important to remember that they are 2 very distinct types of luminaire.
Lighting your home with pendant lamps
Why give preference to pendant lights?
Hanging lights are available in different colors. This is the case for the Bala rope lights and the Hang pendant lights. Their electric cords come in a range of colors, making them particularly designer.
This type of luminaire is height-adjustable. It thus performs a dual function. On the one hand, it has the ability to bring general lighting to the room, and on the other, it serves as accent lighting for a well-defined area.
Good to know: to achieve optimum rendering, simply adjust the height of the suspension to suit your needs.
There are several varieties of hanging lamps depending on their style, shape and material. They can adopt the shape of a ball, a cluster, a bell, a tube... Some models highlight the design of the bulb, which can also take on different shapes. So, a floating globe bulb like the one offered by Hoopzi is perfectly suited to a room with a contemporary design. And a suspension light in the shape of a star or plane will bring originality to the decoration of your little one's room.
Suspension lighting: 3 unavoidable rules
The pendant light can be used as both main and accent lighting. Nevertheless, for best results, certain rules must be observed.
- Fixing suspension at the right height
Hanging height varies according to the fixture's use and ceiling height.
For main lighting, the suspension must be 1.80 meters from the floor if the ceiling height is less than 2.50 meters. However, if the ceiling height is equal to or greater than 2.50 meters, the luminaire must be between 2 and 2.15 meters from the floor. The pendant effectively illuminates the dining table or sofa if it descends to 1.60 m from the floor.
No matter what, the luminaire must in no way impede circulation in the room.
Used as a bedside lamp, the pendant should sit between 30 and 50 cm above the bedside table.
- Choose a pendant in proportion to the size of the room
The size of the luminaire must take into account the size of the room. For example, a hanging light with a diameter of 30 to 40 cm is very suitable for a room with a surface area of less than 10 m². If you have a room between 15 and 20 m², a hanging light with a diameter of 45 to 50 cm will be ideal.
Good to know: these measurements remain indicative. It is quite possible to depart from this rule if you know how to play with the shape of the room and the fixture as well as the style of the latter.
- For every room, there's a hanging fixture
Bet on a hanging lamp that can bring balance to room decor.
You can, for example, illuminate the kitchen worktop with pendant lights to make up for the lack of light in the room. If you choose light fittings with lampshades, these should be made from materials that don't quickly become dirty and are easy to maintain. This rules out fabric shades. However, the CAGE lampshade for Bala and Hang is a very good choice.
Visible without being bulky, the light fixture for the bathroom should match the dining table perfectly. For example, you can opt for a round-shaped pendant to light an oval or round table. For a rectangular table, opt for multiple suspensions such as Hang suspensions or Bala cords.
With a living room featuring high ceilings, play with a monumental designer pendant. This breaks up the room's height and brings a little balance to the interior design.
In the bedroom, soft, uncluttered models are recommended. They underline the room's cocooning ambience and blend perfectly with the soft, subdued ambience you're so keen to achieve in your bedroom.
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Light up your home with chandeliers
Since the Middle Ages, the chandelier has been lighting up the interior of your buildings (castle, reception room, home...). To this day, this luxurious fixture continues to offer an incomparable decorative touch in your interior.
The benefits of installing chandeliers in your home
- A decoration in its own right
The chandelier is a decorative light fixture fitted with several branches with candleholders. Full of charm, it comes in several models and styles. Sometimes it features crystal pendants, adding a very majestic touch to this designer light fixture.
On its own, the chandelier manages to add a noble, elegant touch to interior design. What's more, this type of fixture adapts to all styles. Whether you have a vintage, modern or other interior, it's entirely possible to find a chandelier to match the style of your home.
- Stately decor at affordable prices
Lustres are renowned for their majestic, luxurious appearance. Indeed, antique models are generally dressed in chic, elegant materials such as crystal or opaline. Nevertheless, you can find wrought-iron chandeliers that retain this particularly majestic style.
Nowadays, chandeliers come in different materials such as epoxy resin, aluminum and stainless steel, making them more affordable in terms of price. But whatever the material used to make it, the chandelier retains that majestic, luxurious look that sets it apart from other lighting fixtures.
- Joining luxury to the right luminosity
Used as general lighting, the chandelier emits even light throughout the room thanks to its circular structure and central ceiling placement. And all you have to do is adapt it to the style of your interior to achieve a perfectly majestic rendering.
The chandelier thus remains the ideal light fixture for illuminating the living room. As it can be very imposing, the choice of model deserves no neglect. Nevertheless, you can install it in the bedroom, kitchen and dining room if the characteristics of the room allow.
How to choose chandeliers for your interior?
Before buying a chandelier, ask yourself some questions:
- In what room will the fixture be placed?
The chandelier is perfect for providing the main lighting function. However, you need to choose a model perfectly suited to the room in which it will be installed.
For the kitchen, for example, avoid chandeliers that get dirty too quickly or are difficult to clean, such as fabric or feather-adorned models.
- What material to choose?
To ensure that the chandelier fits in perfectly with the interior design, don't neglect the choice of material. Indeed, a glass or crystal chandelier makes the interior as chic as it is elegant. A fabric or paper chandelier adds a cosy, cozy touch to interior design. Metal chandeliers are perfect for contemporary, loft or industrial interiors. As for the wooden chandelier, it accentuates the rustic look of the interior.
- What about size?
Pay attention to proportions. The size of the chandelier must be in harmony with that of the room. Indeed, a model that's too imposing risks impeding circulation in the living room or bedroom.
For a 20 m² living room, for example, opt for a chandelier between 50 and 70 cm in diameter. And a minimalist model is best suited to a small room. However, invest in a large chandelier to light up a large living room, especially if it has a very high ceiling height.
Choose the right wall color for perfect lighting
The best color for a room is the one that allows it to have good luminosity, that is, lighting suited to the desired mood.
Which colors reflect the most light?
While white is reputed to reflect ¾ of the light that reaches it, you should know that there are other shades that possess almost the same ability. Such is the case for yellow and beige, which diffuse ambient light and promise an ambience that's both friendly and dynamic. The same is true of pastel and bold colors, which enhance the light. Mauve, water green and light grey are among them.
Which colors absorb the most light?
Dark colors absorb light, that's a fact!" This applies to both natural and artificial light. So, to achieve optimum lighting and soften shadowy areas, bet on a fixture that's powerful enough without being too glaring.
Good to know: certainly, these colors absorb light. But that doesn't mean you have to expel them completely from your interior color palette. In fact, all you have to do is play with colors and materials to achieve an exceptional look. Combined with warm colors such as red or orange, black adds a chic touch to interior design.
Understand the color reflection coefficient and light reflectance value of painting
With light-colored walls, the room gains in brightness. This is because light colors have a high reflection coefficient. This coefficient represents the amount of light reflected by the surface as a function of its color. The darker the wall color, the less luminous the room.
A white wall reflects, for example, ¾ of the light it receives. The colors white and yellow have almost the same reflection coefficients. On the other hand, if the wall is painted blue, the brightness of the room decreases, as this color reflects about half the light it receives. Black reflects no more than 1/20e of the light it receives.
However, it's worth remembering that some colored shades reflect more light than white. Indeed, the paint's light reflectance value also has a noticeable impact on its brightness. In this sense, a white color with a 65% LRV remains less luminous than one with a 75% LRV. The same applies to pastel colors (green, blue or yellow), which have a higher LRV than ordinary white. They therefore remain brighter than the latter.
Good to know: these data are usually written on the paint can. It is therefore necessary to consult them before choosing any color to obtain an optimal rendering.
Lighting the interior according to wall color
Whether you opt for a pendant light or a chandelier, you need to choose lighting according to wall color to achieve a flawless rendering.
The right lighting for white walls
As white colors reflect light very well, bet on warm lighting so the interior doesn't look too glaring. For a living room, you could, for example, opt for 6.5 Watt G95 bulbs from Hoopzi. They're perfect for Hang and Bala pendant lights, which feature colorful electric cords. These lights let you add a colorful and original touch to your interior design.
The right lighting for yellow walls
You've painted your walls yellow to create a tonic, dynamic atmosphere? For optimum results, the choice of lighting should take into account the intensity of the yellow.
With this in mind, go for a pendant or chandelier emitting a warm white light to illuminate a pale yellow room. On the other hand, favor cool white lighting if you have dark yellow walls.
The right lighting for beige walls
Beige is a great color for creating a soft, serene ambience indoors. Ideal for the bedroom, it's equally at home in the entrance hall, kitchen or living room. Simply play with accessories, especially lighting fixtures, to optimize interior decoration.
For general lighting, you can install a chandelier, pendant light or floor lamp with halogen eco bulbs. As for accent lighting, opt for a low-wattage LED bulb like those supplied by Hoopzi.
The right lighting for green walls
Very popular for dressing up bedroomwalls, green is a bright, natural color. That doesn't stop you from using this color to paint the walls of the kitchen, living room or bathroom.
Generally speaking, yellow light doesn't enhance green walls. It compromises the fresh, serene look of green.
Idéalement, privilégiez les éclairages qui diffusent une lumière proche de la lumière naturelle. Mais, tâchez de ne pas éblouger trop la pièce.
The right lighting for grey walls
Very elegant, gray is a timeless color. It's very easy to use and comes in many shades, so it can be combined with both warm and cool colors.
As for lighting, indirect lights are highly recommended for illuminating a room with gray walls. And to compensate for the cold character of gray, opt for warm-to-natural colored lights.
Don't forget to vary the light points to enjoy optimal lighting. In addition, if the size of the room allows, install a fairly imposing pendant or chandelier for clearly visible general lighting. As for accent lighting, you can opt for Bala cords or Hang pendants, which are very stylish with their colored electrical cords.
The right lighting for orange walls
Orange walls create a dynamic atmosphere in your interior.
You need to rely on bright, invigorating general lighting to keep the warmth emitted by the color orange. You can therefore opt for a suspension, chandelier or floor lamp that diffuses a light close to daylight. For accent lighting, the Suspensions Hang 3 black are a great choice. They'll add a designer and original touch to your interior decor.
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