Mood lighting control: a beginner’s guide
What is mood lighting?
Mood lighting is all about using your lights to give a room or space the right atmospheric feel. Traditionally we’ve done it by playing with the layout of our lights and lamps, and the colour, brightness and tone of our bulbs. However, mood lighting is in the spotlight now because smart lights are making it so much easier. There are more and more bulbs on the market (including Hive Lights of course) whose colour and tone you can control through your smartphone. You can even do clever things like set them up to sync with the sun. And things get pretty interesting when you start delving into the effects that different colours – and therefore different coloured bulbs – have on people’s moods. Let’s take a look.
The benefits of red lighting?
The obvious one. But bear this in mind too: red light has been shown to stimulate conversation and boost your appetite. So it’s great for places where people gather like the living room. It works nicely in a dining room or kitchen too (just make sure it’s bright enough for the chef to see what they’re doing).
The benefits of blue lighting?
A cool blue takes away stress and gives out a really ambient light. So try it in a bedroom or living room. Or how about a bit of bathroom mood lighting? If you like to relax in the tub at the end of a long day, a cool blue can help you drift even further away.
The benefits of green lighting?
Another calming colour. Plus it can even reduce pain. How? Enkephalins. These are pain-killing chemicals the body produces, and exposure to green light stimulates more than normal. With a green light there’s also less stress on the eyes, meaning you can concentrate longer on things. So use it in the office to turn your desk lamp into a mood lamp.
The benefits of purple lighting?
Purple lights get the creative juices flowing. So if you need to impress the in-laws with your cuisine you could put a purple light in the kitchen. Working on a novel? It’s one for the study. And if you’re up to something secret with screwdrivers, saws and stuff, give one a go in the garden shed.
The benefits of orange lighting?
Orange gives you an energy boost – as does a yellow light. See it as a battery charger when you need to take on the world (or just the day). And if you have an exercise room it could be all you need to take you that extra mile.
The benefits of white lighting?
Finally, bright white is the other colour traditionally associated with energy. You can also now get really good lights like the Hive Light Cool to Warm White that change brightness but also tone. It means you can stay energised with a bright white light during the day – and then dial it down to a more relaxed warm white into the evening.
In the mood for more?
Amazing what a bit of colour can do, isn’t it? We’re not suggesting it’s a cure-all but it can certainly have a positive effect. And as well as setting the mood, there are lots of other benefits to modern lighting. Like being able to control them from your phone, with your voice or turn them on just by walking through the front door. And much more besides. Welcome to a whole new way of illuminating your home.
