Mastering Your Home's Lighting

There are so many things that we are sticklers for in design and lighting is one of them. It has the power to suck the life out of a room or add to it. Choose wisely, friends. Unfortunately, it’s also incredibly technical. How do you select lighting that works both technically and artistically for your home? Interior designer Krista Hermanson sat down with Craig Volkerink from LightForm to discuss everything from LEDs to bespoke trends that will have your home shining with all the personality you bring.

This full discussion is live on YouTube. If you’d prefer to watch or listen. Scroll to the bottom of this page and click the links below.

Understanding Temperature and Colour

Lighting temperature is measured in Kelvin (K), and it plays a significant role in how a space feels. Warmer temperatures are lower on the Kelvin scale and higher temperatures are colder or blue.

Warmer temperatures (2700K-3000K) create a cozy, intimate atmosphere—ideal for living rooms and bedrooms. Cooler temperatures (4000K-5000K) mimic daylight and are better suited for kitchens, offices, and task-oriented areas.

Anything over 5000K should only be used for laboratories or hospitals.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH LED?

If you love European lighting, you’ll notice that most fixtures include hardwired LED bulbs. In North America, we’re still using a mix of halogen and LED bulbs. Craig says that he finds Calgarians are still a bit hesitant to make the switch to LED bulbs. Here are some quick reasons that LED might be a good option for you.

LED is no longer always blue. There is a wide range of colour temperatures.
LEDs have warm dimming to take an LED from a colder colour to a warmer colour.
LEDs are more efficient than halogen bulbs. Typically, hardwired LED fixtures will last anywhere from 20 to 30 years.
LED drivers will need to be replaced before the light. LED drivers regulate the electricity coming into the fixture. You may need to replace LED drivers every decade or so depending on the driver rating (design, heat sink efficiency, capacitor quality and build quality). At the time of this blog, LED drivers can cost anywhere from $40 to $100 each.
LED don’t heat up like halogen. This is why we’re seeing so many interesting materials being used in designer lighting. The only time this isn’t ideal might be when you’d like a warmth to melt snow and ice in Calgary’s cold winters.

LAYERING FOR FUNCTION AND AMBIANCE

Layering lighting is just as important as layering cozy textures. Lamps are a good start, but don’t stop there. A combination of lighting on flooring, millwork, walls, and ceilings envelopes you in a warm hug of light.

A well-lit home incorporates three main types of lighting:

Ambient: The overall illumination of a space, typically provided by ceiling fixtures, recessed lights, and chandeliers.
Task: Focused for specific activities, such as under-cabinet, bedside reading lamps, or vanity lights.
Accent: Used to highlight architectural features, artwork, or statement pieces, like sconces or directional spots.

Don’t forget decorative! Not all light must make a space as bright as the sun – and they really shouldn’t. Sometimes lighting should be an art piece. As in design, the negative space, a shadow can tell an equally intriguing story.

WHY BEAM SPREAD MATTERS

Beam spread refers to how wide or narrow a light disperses. A narrow beam (10-25 degrees) is great for accent, while a wider beam (40+ degrees) provides general illumination. Understanding beam spread is crucial for spaces like kitchens, where you need both ambient and task lighting to prepare a delectable meal for your guests.

ONE-INCH POT LIGHTS: SLEEK, BUT USE IN MODERATION

Minimalist one-inch pot lights have become popular for their discreet look, but don’t overdo them. Don’t create an airstrip. The technology has advanced so much that some are as bright as a four-inch pot. This is why layered lighting is critical. No aircrafts need land on your ceiling.

LIGHTING AND THE BODY

AGING IN PLACE

As we age, our vision changes, making proper lighting even more important. Warmer light tones reduce glare, and adjustable task lighting ensures functionality in key areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

HOW LIGHT AFFECTS CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS

Light has a direct impact on our sleep-wake cycle. Warmer hues in the evening signals to the body that it’s time to wind down, while cooler beams in the morning helps wake us up. Bathrooms should have layered lighting with colder, brighter fixtures to wake us up in the morning in addition to warm ones for a relaxing bubble bath or steam shower.

LIGHTING CERTIFICATIONS & EUROPEAN FIXTURES: CAN YOU USE THEM IN CANADA?

Though we have some incredible Canadian lighting designers (Bocci, for example), designer fixtures are often imported from Europe. Sometimes the fixture you fall in love with isn’t local. Imported light fixtures can add unique character to a space, but they must be properly certified for Canadian use.

Before purchasing your fixtures, check for UL certification (Underwriters Laboratories/ Underwriters Solutions – Canadian Safety Standard) or ETL certification (Electrical Testing Laboratories – North American Safety Standard) to ensure the fixture meets safety standards.

European designers and manufacturers must pay a large fee for each fixture design to be certified in North America. Some brands opt not to do this.

If they don’t have a UL or ETL sticker, don’t worry. Most European fixtures can be certified for a small fee. LightForm, for one, will have their European fixtures inspected and altered, if necessary, for use in Canada. After the changes, the fixture will pass inspection, receive its stickers, and be fit for use in your home.

How Much Should Your Fixtures Match?

You might want to match your shoes to your belt, but you wouldn’t want to match all the shapes and colours of your outfit from your head to your toes. It would look strange. Lighting is the same.

As we always say, there should be a through thread that strings the design story together. Lighting in the same sight line should have something that ties it together. Do they both have glazing? Do they have circles or wispy strings? Something should be similar, but they shouldn’t be identical. Be free to play with colour, texture and shape.

LIGHTING TRENDS FOR 2025

We asked Craig what he was seeing for lighting trends in 2025. Here’s what he said:

Natural materials or the appearance of natural materials such as ceramics and wood.
Playing with shadows and indirect lighting fixtures.
Organic shapes.
Blown and coloured glass.
Sculptural pieces.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

Functional lighting doesn’t mean you flood your home with the brightest fixture you can find. Functionality considers the activities of each room, the science behind how lighting affects the human body, and how you wish to live in your home. It’s about creating a mood and infusing your home with your personality. A successful lighting plan considers colour temperature, layering, and how light interacts with materials and textures.

This blog was just a taste, want to hear more from the experts? Watch our full conversation with Craig Volkerink from LightForm.

We hope this blog added value to your lighting search. If you’re looking for some help, we’re here to assist you.