Danish lighting brand Nuura, meaning ‘light and honour,’ shares expert guidance this Spring for intentionally illuminating the home to align with natural light cycles and enhance wellbeing. Guiding homeowners in creating the optimal balance of light, Nuura narrates a room-by-room approach to creating balanced, mood-enhancing environments for the mind, body and soul. Experts in light optimisation, Nuura’s portfolio offers solutions that transition seamlessly from energising daylight to cozy evening ambiance.
THE KITCHEN. The heart of the home is where purpose meets style. A multifunctional space where lighting can make all the difference by introducing thoughtful layers of light to ensure every corner is well-lit. Consider details such as the finishes, the fixtures and bulbs to enhance beauty and create a culinary space for every occasion. Primary lighting in a kitchen, such as ceiling fixtures or flush mounts, provide overall illumination for atmosphere and a great all-around light. Directional task lighting is essential for preparation areas, such as wall lights or hanging pendant lights to support clear and safe precision tasks, while dimmable mood lighting highlights architectural features, decor, and cabinetry, enhancing the atmosphere and making the kitchen inviting yet practical.
Kitchen Top Tip: hang lights 70-80cm above kitchen island countertop to provide excellent task lighting a pleasant ambiance without obstructing the view across the room.
THE DINING ROOM: A room for conversations, light transforms a dining room into a welcoming, memorable room for any occasion. Introduce a chandelier or pendant as the ‘star of the show’, setting the tone and lighting the table. Balance the room with layering light for well-lit warmth and versatility for both dining and conversations. Use decorative lights for warmth and to highlight architectural details, art or furniture, and strategically place wall lights to add ambient light and bring coziness and sophistication – dimmable options enable you to adjust mood from festive gatherings to intimate dinners.
Dining Room Top Tips: Choose a chandelier or pendant proportional to your table ( ie.one-half to two-thirds the width of the table) and evenly space multiple pendant lights apart (typically 60 to 76 centimetres).
THE LIVING ROOM. Use layered lighting in this core room to enhance the ambience, functionality and aesthetic appeal. A mix of primary, task, and decorative lighting ensures that your living room is not only functional but also comfortable and inviting. For primary illumination introduce ceiling fixtures offering soft and evenly distributed light. Add task lighting for focused light when reading or working, either in the form of a floor lamp next to a favourite reading chair or a table lamp for pockets of coziness and focus. For decorative and indirect light introduce wall lamps to add depth, highlight artwork, and set the tone for relaxation or socialising.
Living Room Top Tips: Light placement is critical. Centre chandeliers or ceiling lights for even illumination and position floor and table lamps where light is needed most. Ensure lamps are the right size in relation to furniture (the bottom of the lampshade should be at eye level when seated).
THE BATHROOM: A personal sanctuary where our days begin and end. Thoughtful lighting is crucial for balancing the bathroom, be it for a long indulgent bath or practical task-lighting prepping for the busy day ahead. Primary lighting offers the main lighting source, which combined with natural light elevates overall mood and well-being. Select ceiling fixtures such as chandeliers, flush mounts and recessed lighting with opal glass shades, for the most optimal primary lighting. Task lighting at the mirror and sink area plays a vital role for shaving or applying makeup, and the addition of wall-mounted lamps or vertical fixtures with opal glass shades placed either side of the mirror provides a glare-free illumination for the face.
Bathroom Top Tips: Add mood lighting with dimmable fixtures plus decorative wall lamps to showcase your bathroom’s unique elements and to set the vibe according to your mood and needs.
‘With thoughtful choices, lighting can elevate every room, enhancing both style and well-being throughout your home’ says designer Sofie Refer, ‘consider layering for moods and purpose, consider proportions and positioning of lighting alongside furniture and art, and remember the magical impact of dimmable lighting’.
