Lighting plays an important role in adjusting the Feng Shui ambiance of any interior space, so it’s important to check to see if the lighting in your home and office comes from the three sources that are recommended in Feng Shui for every room and building – natural light, direct light, and ambient light.And if you are considering redecorating, remodeling, or building, be sure to consider ample lighting from all three of these sources.

1. Natural light enters through the windows and all the other glass areas of your home, including skylights, sliding glass doors, sidelights next to your front door, or glass bricks. It’s important to make sure you have enough natural light during the day so you can walk through every room and feel comfortable. If you have rooms or areas of your home without enough natural light, consider hanging a mirror across from the windows to pull in more sunlight, or if you are remodeling, adding additional windows or replacing a wall with glass brick.

2. Direct light comes from overhead lighting and desk and floor lamps, and helps create a brighter space when you don’t have enough natural light. In areas where you read, paint, do crafts projects, or are involved in other creative activities, be sure to add enough task lighting so you can direct the light you need to your reading material or project.

In your bathroom, it’s useful to have lighting coming from the sides of your mirror, as well as from above, similar to theatrical makeup mirrors that have bulbs along the side and upper edge to get the best light for faces. And consider using full-spectrum light bulbs, which simulate natural daylight and make the lighting less harsh – which is especially helpful when you are applying makeup.

In your bedroom, make sure you place a lamp on the night table, or install lighting on the wall near the side of the bed for reading. And be sure you have lighting on both sides of a bed that is shared by two people. If the lighting near your bed is the only source of lighting in the room, consider having it wired so you can turn it on from a switch near the door when you enter the room, so you never have to enter a completely dark bedroom.

3. Ambient light is mood lighting that includes such things as under-counter lights in the kitchen; up-lights or floor lamps in family rooms, living rooms, and gathering spaces; or ceiling spots directed to paintings or decorations in a room.

In Feng Shui, lighting choices can also be determined by where you live. For example, in sunny and tropical areas, a large roof can diffuse the abundance of natural light and reduce indoor glare. However, in more northern climates where people need as much light as possible during the winter, an overhanging roof would be counterproductive since it would block some of the natural light from entering.

In Feng Shui, it’s important to be aware of the sources of lighting in your interior space, and how you can improve the lighting to enhance how you live and work in that space.

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