The hearth room we built for a client in Town and Country takes advantage of tons of natural light and recessed overhead lighting to create an airy yet comfortable space for the family to enjoy.

Lighting is an often forgotten but one of the most important aspects to consider when designing a room. The feel and comfort of a room is greatly impacted by the type and quality of light used within the space. From natural to lamp to overhead lighting, a great room is made complete by great lighting design.

When creating a lighting scheme for a room we recommend you first consider the location you are placing the light in and consider any shadows that might be caused by it. Just like a photograph, stark shadows cast by a lamp or light can disrupt the feel of a room.

Second we recommend looking at your natural light sources and the window coverings you select. Make sure you aren’t blocking a key window by a furniture, and consider hanging a mirror across from a window that emits low levels of natural light to amplify the effect.

A our third tip is to pay attention to the bulbs you are using. In the past CFL’s have gotten a bad reputation for the quality of light they cast in a room. Now that the industry has evolved you can select lights that have a coated orb around them to diffuse the light, and they come in a range of light intensities to better suit the mood and room.

A new lighting scheme can completely change a room and makeover a space in a way that is comfortable for your family and budget.

The owners of this Chesterfield home had amassed quite a collection of wine. To showcase their collection a room was built off of the study with a large window and adjustable lighting for viewing. The homeowner then used his iron working skills to build a custom, floor to ceiling wine rack that they placed in front of the window.

For more inspiration and ideas, check out the rest of our photos from this Chesterfield basement and deck finishing project on Flickr.