Lighting should never be an afterthought. It is a fundamental part of any major business renovation or commercial new build, illuminating workspaces, showcasing key design features and contributing to the achievement of environmental standards. The way in which you light your space impacts how the people within it feel and has been shown to have a direct impact on their efficiency and productivity.
For business owners, architects and designers wanting to preserve the history of their building while creating a healthier working environment, mixing modern and restoration lighting could be the perfect solution.
How to mix lighting styles
Using restored lighting fixtures is a great way to preserve the authenticity of a historical building, while installing modern lighting aids the longevity of the space.
Those wishing to create a timeless aesthetic by mixing vintage and modern lighting styles must consider the period of the building they occupy. By blending styles, vintage and modern, the end result is fresh, authentic and functional, delivering a timeless appeal that transcends passing fashions. Using modern LED spotlighting and sculptural pieces fitted with smart controls, timers, or sensors introduces a future-ready element to the project.
Top tips for merging modern and restoration lighting styles
- Choose your focal points with care. You cannot have both lighting styles vying for attention in the same space – one must lead while the other supports. For example, where the primary lighting source in a room is a vintage chandelier, subtle modern spotlights can be used to highlight interesting architectural features.
- Consider the scale and proportion of your lighting features. Your lighting choices should complement rather than overwhelm the space, so choose your fixtures with care.
- Use restored lighting as focal points. Restored lighting fixtures often make incredible focal points, delivering bold authenticity, particularly when their presence is enhanced by the modern pieces that surround them.
- Embrace technological integrations. Retrofitting vintage fixtures with modern LED bulbs or smart controls is a popular way of constraining costs while enhancing the environmental credentials of major refits.
Conclusion
Mixing modern and restoration lighting is a powerful way of enhancing your design vision, creating impactful interiors that are both grounded and future-ready. These timeless spaces are both elegant and efficient.
For help designing a bespoke lighting solution for your next project, please speak to our experts today.