Bright ideas

Whether it’s functional or mood lighting you are looking for, you can be sure that it plays a key role in room decoration. Original lighting effects can be obtained from just a few basic materials combined with a good idea or two — it’s easy to create the right atmosphere and ensure suitable lighting for your different activities. Here are some bright ideas for good lighting to help show off your rooms to their best advantage, by accenting the decor and highlighting their special features.

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Soft lighting, contemporary style
Cabinets on display
Mind the step!
Outdoor lamps come inside
Wheels go round again
Spotlight your works of art
Light up a corridor
Chinese shadows

Soft lighting, contemporary style

What could be better than enjoying a delicious meal in ultra-stylish surroundings and a romantic atmosphere? Strips of natural wood mounted across the angle between the beam and the slope of the ceiling give this contemporary dining room a unique point of interest and, at the same time, conceal the ceiling lamp, creating subdued lighting – ideal for evening conversations around the supper table. The pieces of wood are spaced at regular intervals, echoing the symmetry of the various elements of the room and the simple, neutral decor. This is a creative way to make an interesting architectural feature out of an unusual ceiling.

Cabinets on display

In this modern kitchen, we’ve made use of the see-through cabinet doors to create an effective lighting source for a large part of the room. The soft lighting comes from lights fitted into the back of the cabinets. As the light filters through the frosted-glass doors, its glow creates a warm atmosphere, accentuated by the choice of materials – wood cabinets and marble countertop. This great design cleverly disguises the light fixtures while providing all the light that’s needed.

Mind the step!

Lighting was added to these steps to make this doorway safe in the dark. Simply install lights behind the risers and cover them with Plexiglas panels which diffuse the light and enhance the look of the natural wood. Not only does this modern neon lighting improve safety in the stairway, but it is an effective contrast to the older wood of the stairs.

Outdoor lamps come inside

This dining room, reminiscent of those in ancestral homes, was creatively designed to highlight the country style as much as possible, right down to the lighting fixtures. Two outdoor lamps suspended on sturdy chains just over the dining table blend perfectly with the room’s decor and provide a convivial light source. Similar lamps were installed on either side of the fireplace to bring the various elements of the room together. A subtle detail that contributes to the overall coherence of this fabulous dining room.

Wheels go round again

With two antique metal wheels discovered at a flea market or garage sale, some soldering, a few small lampshades and a couple of strong chains, you’ll have a pair of spectacular chandeliers that blend perfectly with the style of this living room. When painted black, the lighting fixtures offer a stunning contrast with the dominant white of the room and ceiling. The exposed wood beams, rafters, panelling and moulding together create a magnificent, harmonious decor giving a quintessential country house look.

Spotlight your works of art

How can you highlight favourite pictures while creating soft lighting in a rustic-looking home? By inserting a spotlight directly in the floor below them. Simply plan where you want to put the light before finishing the floor; in this case, the ceramic tiles were cut to leave room for the light. This is an original idea which shows off the rich tones of the rustic wood panelling and the four attractive frames displaying black and white photos. Which just goes to show – one small light is all it takes to create a spectacular effect of light and shadow!

Light up a corridor

In this family room, nothing has been overlooked. An oval light installed at the foot of the far wall lights up the corridor leading into the room, creating interesting effects of light and shadow. To complement it, two lamps suspended above the bar diffuse soft light and emphasize the original counter. Recessed ceiling lights placed at strategic points ensure there is enough light at all times for the occupants of the room. Simple, well designed, and very effective!

Chinese shadows

A touch of oriental charm to light up the television area: here’s something completely different, inspired by this year’s Zen trends. We used plasterboard to box in the areas on each side of the television screen. Rectangles were cut in the front of each and then covered with Plexiglas panels decorated with a black bamboo design. Simple neon lighting was installed to backlight the panels, creating a Chinese shadow effect. This modern, decorative lighting solution gives the room original character with an up-to-date feel. Ingenious!
A few well-chosen materials used inventively, a sharp eye and a dash of creativity are all you need to light your home in keeping with your needs and style of decor. By browsing your Rona store and imagining new ways to use items that are designed for quite different purposes, you’ll be surprised at the stunning effects you can achieve, worthy of even the classiest decorating magazines. Give rein to your imagination, and let the world be your oyster!
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