1. EXAMINE THE NATURAL LIGHT – AND THE EFFECTS YOU WANT TO CREATE
'When you are working on the living room's layout, you always have to think about the impact of the light. It’s part of the storytelling that we do as designers: what is the sensation when you arrive?
There aren’t hard fixed rules on how you tackle a room and its light source because it depends where you are, which country, or even if you’re in the city or the countryside – the light is different even between Paris and London.
2. CONSIDER FLUCTUATIONS IN LIGHTING LEVELS
'There can even be two different feelings in a room, that you can create with different treatments of the light.
'We’re working on a project in Lake Como, Italy, where the part of living room that is practically on the lake feels like you’re living on a boat; it’s very bright and light with very large windows. But at the other end, there is almost no light.
3. USE MIRRORS
'When you don’t have a lot of space, mirrors can help you play with reflections of light,' says Patrick. But living room mirrors are not the only way to make a living room lighter. 'Materials can play their part. Marble gives off different reflections depending on whether it is matte or polished.'
4. CREATE REFLECTIONS WITH GLOSS FINISHES
'I’m not usually a fan of shiny, painted surfaces, but in my own room I have a chest of drawers that is glossy, standing in front of matte walls. 'Even though the color palette is very simple, the reflections provide the interest – my own reflection and the sky behind me. It’s like a constantly changing painting.'
5. CONSIDER PALE, CLEAR COLORS
Light living rooms of all colors will make a living room brighter, but which colors to choose? 'How you decorate a room does a lot to the light. We often favor light, clear colors – not necessarily white, but light pinks and beige.' Living room color ideas we love for their brightening yet warm properties include beige living rooms (for lovers of neutrals) and the softer, earthier tones of yellow living rooms.
6. PLAY WITH MATTE FINISHES, TOO
This is where living room floors and walls can be influential. 'Playing around with texture is interesting, too. We are working on a project in the countryside in France in the middle of a forest. The house is super modernist with very high ceilings and big windows, but the walls and floor are matte black. That matte surface does lots of interesting things with the light.'
7. CONSIDER HOW WINDOW TREATMENTS AFFECT LIGHT QUALITY
Again, Patrick emphasizes the effect of different materials in lightening, or darkening, a room. Of course, sheer living room curtains will allow more light into a living room than heavier drapes, but you can consider other options to create different effects.
8. INCORPORATE ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING SUBTLY
Living room lighting needs to feel welcoming, though there may be some need for task lighting within the space. As Patrick indicates, subtlety is important, as is balance.
9. USE DIMMER SWITCHES AND LAMPS
'I think pendants in dining rooms or kitchens are nice to give a general atmosphere, but you must dim them right down; I find people over-light their homes.
10. USE CANDLES FOR ATMOSPHERE
'Candles are gorgeous for the atmosphere they give off; it makes a room feel more mysterious. Even if you have a small apartment, just put a candle on the little table; it provides a beautiful focus point.'