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Spaces with clean aesthetics and simple lines will benefit from incorporating equally as minimalist interior design lighting. By working a complementary lighting scheme into your modern home, you can give every inch of it that style you love. In this article, we’ll explore modern interior LED lighting for minimalist homes and how to incorporate them.
What Is Minimalist Interior Design?
Minimalist design is one of many different types of design aesthetics you can choose. As opposed to maximalist design that favors busy patterns and vivid colours, minimalism strips elements down to their most basic.
This approach puts emphasis on simplicity and reducing clutter. A “less is more” philosophy creates the foundation for this design style, leaving the space looking crisp and immaculate. Oftentimes, architecture becomes the main focus of such a space, using the actual room itself as a part of the design.
Using LED Recessed and Downlights for Clean Aesthetics
Since this style focuses on reducing visual clutter, recessed LED lighting in minimalist design is quite popular. Recessed lights sit flush, or mostly flush, with the ceiling. With no protruding lights sticking out, the lines in the room become even cleaner.
Recessed fixtures are a versatile choice in your space. You can use it as ambient light, or the main layer of light, as well as you can use them for task lighting. No matter how you incorporate them, they stay out of the way while providing you with the light you need.
How to Layer Lighting in Simple Interiors
Layering lights in your room can be achieved with more than just recessed LED lighting. Minimalism can shine through in all layers of lighting: ambient, task and accent lights.
Layering LED lighting minimalist style can be accomplished in the following ways:
Ambient Light
Ambient light provides the foundational light layer in the space. Oftentimes, it comes in the form of ceiling lights, especially for larger rooms. Smaller spaces can sometimes get away with having wall lights serving as the main light layer. Recessed, surface mounted and even pendant lights can work well in clean aesthetics if done well.
Task Light
LED task lighting in minimalism-focused spaces might seem hard to achieve, but that isn’t the case. Since task lights provide dedicated lighting for activities, you just have to work contemporary fixtures into activity-heavy locations.
When clean, clutter-free design is a priority, many people prefer recessed ceiling lights for the job. Otherwise, a contemporary pendant light without a lot of bulk is a good choice. Position them over desks, work spaces, reading nooks and other such areas.
Accent Light
With accent lights, you can draw attention to the architecture or other details in the home. Accent lighting not only enhances the appearance of the room, but it can provide soft, indirect lighting as well. This makes it a good choice if you want to cultivate a certain atmosphere or mood in a space.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Minimalist Design
When people think of clean aesthetics, they tend to think of other modern elements of design as well–such as energy-efficient lighting. Minimalist design prioritises that less-is-more mindset, and using less energy is certainly a part of that.
By choosing functional LED lighting design above traditional alternatives, you’ll be using 80 percent less energy than you might otherwise use. This furthers any sustainability goals you may have by reducing your carbon footprint.
Beyond that, an energy efficient LED light can also save you money. Lower energy consumption means less electricity used. This will translate to a more budget-friendly electricity bill.
Furthermore, LED lights last exponentially longer than incandescent or halogen bulbs. You won’t need to replace LED fixtures as often, which can save you on costs of replacement and installation.
Best LED Fixtures for Minimalist Homes
When you’re aiming to improve a clean design scheme with light fixtures, there are some key elements you should look out for:
- Above all, make sure the fixture you choose fits with the vibe of the rest of your home. Focus on sharp angles, clean lines and minimally decorated fixtures. Geometric lights, for instance, are an exceptionally modern choice to consider. Oftentimes, slim, low profile lights are preferred to bulkier designs as well.
- The finish can be just as important as the shape. Choosing lights that have neutral hues of black, white or chrome keeps things simple and clean.
Conversely, you might choose a light that has a vibrant coloured finish to bring a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral space. While it is ultimately up to you, many design professionals favor matte finishes over high gloss ones in modern homes.
- MATERIAL. Certain materials work better in modern homes than others. It is generally recommended to choose metal and glass fixtures as opposed to plastic or rattan. The latter two materials are better suited for traditional spaces and don’t offer the same sort of “cleanliness” as the former.
- COLOUR TEMPERATURE. It is important to take into account colour temperature for minimalist lighting. Ultimately, it comes down to your preference.
Ask yourself: do you want warmer lights that create a cosier, welcoming feel? Or would you prefer bright, invigorating lighting instead? Whichever you like, be sure you are only choosing one or the other. Otherwise, you may cause abrasive clashing by incorporating both.
How to Achieve Balance Between Natural and LED Lighting
Natural light can be a major player in modern homes. With its even diffusion and ability to make rooms look larger, it’s good to maximise use of it when possible.
During the day, fall back on as much natural light as you can. Use sheer curtains or pull back the blinds to let it in. This will improve upon the airy, modern appeal of your contemporary room.
As it gets darker, you can turn to your sleek LED lighting options for minimalism-focused spaces. Using dimmable LED lights in minimalism-driven rooms can help you adjust the lights slowly over the course of the day for a more comfortable transition.
The Role of LED Strip Lighting in Minimalist Design
Strip lights are one of the most low-profile ways to enhance modern design styles. An LED strip light consists of a long, rope-like material embedded with small LED lights. Their slim style makes them easy to incorporate in just about any location.
For this reason, they are exceptionally good for use as task and accent lighting in minimalist interiors. A few of the most popular ways to use strip lights include:
- lining bookshelves and storage cabinets
- in alcoves and other recessed areas
- along ceiling perimeters
- under cabinet lips
- shelving units
- task lights in drawers
Due to the versatility of these lights, you can really get creative and make them your own.
LED Lighting Ideas for Small Minimalist Spaces
In a small room where saving space is already a huge priority, you may be concerned about how to properly incorporate lights. Below are a few tips to help you make the most economical choices when lighting small rooms.
Use Recessed Lights
By choosing recessed lights, you eliminate the bulk from fixtures jutting out. When every inch of space counts, recessed ceiling or interior wall lights can make a huge difference.
Skip the Floor Lamps
While it may be tempting to add a quirky floor lamp as an accent piece, avoid them when possible. Lamps can take up unnecessary space in smaller rooms that you could be using for something else.
Incorporate Reflective Materials
Whether you choose metallic finishes on your lights or just opt to install some mirrors, reflective surfaces are highly recommended. They bounce light around the space, making the most out of every particle of light. To this effect, it may also make the small room feel larger.
Take Advantage of Natural Lighting
When possible, let as much natural light into the space as you can. Natural lighting makes rooms feel more open and airy. Not only can this contribute to the contemporary appeal, but it can also make the room feel larger.
Conclusion
LED lighting in minimalist design is a critical element of your overall aesthetic. Modern homes that prioritise clean, clutter-free vibes work at their best when they have a lighting design scheme that enhances it.
In this article, we’ve explored some of the reasons why so many interior designers choose LED light fixtures for minimalism. We’ve also offered tips on choosing and incorporating such lights into your home. Keep this article nearby as you set out on your own lighting scheme design project.
Minimalist Style Lighting Ideas
Perfect for modern bedrooms, the Elegante Square Recessed LED Bedside Reading Light is a sleek fixture with a modern square shape. It features a movable head that sits flush with the fixture when turned off, and tilts out to turn it on. The head can also tilt and twist to angle the illumination right where you want it. This bedside light generates 206 lumens of 3000K warm white light, making it ideal as soft task lighting. It measures 110 millimeters by 110 millimeters and recesses neatly into the wall.
Prioritising modern design and eye-comfort alike, the LDC724 8 Watt Dimmable Recessed Anti Glare LED Downlight is the perfect addition to any contemporary home. This square shaped light features four bulbs that sit deeply within the fixture. In doing so, it eliminates any glare while pooling light beautifully on the surfaces beneath it. This anti-glare light generates a total of 800 lumens of 3000K warm white light at a 24 degree beam angle. It is fashioned out of durable aluminium that comes a white finish with a black internal reflector. Overall, it measures 76 millimeters by 76 millimeters in size.
Enjoy low level recessed lights with the LSL707 3 Watt Recessed LED Wall Light With Movement Sensor. Ideal for hallways and entryways, this fixture features motion activation with a range of three metres. It will turn on in 30 second increments when movement is detected in the area before automatically shutting off again. The light generates 170 lumens of 3000K warm white light, making it soft and gentle on the eyes. It is durably built from aluminium and available in your choice of black or white. Overall, the fixture measures 100 millimeters by 100 millimeters in size.
Perfect for rooms with lots of vertical space, the DPL287 5 Watt Dimmable LED Pendant Light is a sleek and slim pendant light that will enhance your aesthetics. This pendant light generates 430 lumens of 3000K warm white light at a 10 degree beam angle. With a CRI of >80, it accurately reflects the colours it shines upon. These qualities make it ideal as both task and accent lighting. It is built to last from premium aluminium that comes finished in your choice of black or white. The light measures 65 millimeters in diameter and features an adjustable two metre drop cable.
