The den is a special space in the home that is set aside for quality family time, close friends, and special events. Den lighting is very important because it sets a mood conducive to quality conversation and activity. Because dark rooms are typically less inviting and therefore unappealing to most, general lighting in the den should be bright enough to make the room feel comfortable and attractive. A well conceived home lighting design creates a feeling of openness and congeniality in any room, and makes a family visit or conversation with friends more upbeat. It also opens up the conversation to activities like board games or cards by making it easier for people to see and interact.
Dens are often multi-functional rooms, however, and need more than attractive general lighting to fulfill their highest potential. We almost always find a flat panel television or home theater system in almost every custom home we work in throughout the Houston area. People do more than simply talk and play games in their den. They often use it as a central entertainment room where movies and music can be enjoyed with important guests. These activities require accent and/or ambient lighting to create a supporting emotional tone. Lighting control system technology allows den lighting to be set to any level to support mood, occasion, and activity.
Wall box dimmer switches are a simple way to make den lighting more precisely match the occasion and atmosphere of an event. Typically, the larger the group of people in the room, the more light will be needed to make everyone feel comfortable. When guests begin to leave and the den starts to feel “too big,” dimming the lights creates a more intimate setting for the quiet conversation of the remaining few, and it also makes the room appear a bit smaller and more proportional to the remaining number of people.
Getting up to adjust a wall box dimmer is something few hosts want to do, however—especially if they have to do it more than once. Lowering den ceiling lighting can be done much more effectively with any number of advanced lighting controls and automation systems that can be professionally installed in the room. Wireless remotes rank among the most popular devices of this nature, allowing for one-touch control of overhead and accent lights. When linked to a home theater system or home automation system, these remotes can be used to control a number of functions linked to high-tech home entertainment.
For house parties, in the den can be sequenced with whole-house audio services to call up pre-programmed lighting themes that mimic the rhythm of tone of musical selections. This is very useful for house parties where guests may want to play games, surf the Internet, or watch TV with music in the background. If the den is home to a full-blown home theater system, lighting in the room can likewise be programmed to work with remote controls that close the window shades, adjust air conditioning levels, and dim the lights to theater-like illumination levels for the ultimate movie-watching experience.
As important as den lighting is to both personal time and home entertainment, the installation of lighting controls should be done by a professional experienced in integrating technology with interior design and resident lifestyle. For a free consultation to see what can done for the lighting in your den, consult with Houston’s leading source of lighting design and home automation and controls—Illuminations Lighting and Design.
For twenty-seven years, Illuminations Lighting and Design has helped clients throughout Houston’s most exclusive neighborhoods optimize their lighting experience with the world’s best experience and Texas’s most expert electrical and lighting design specialists. With the right combination of vision, equipment, and creative touch, every corner of the house can be lit to just the right degree, and every major lifestyle choice can be supported and enhanced with lighting themes. Call now at 713-863-1133 for a free consultation that will show you exactly how our audio video concepts coupled with home automation equipment can enhance your home today.
We are located in Houston Texas but provide lighting and design services in Austin TX, El Paso Texas, San Antonio TX, College Station Texas, Beaumont TX, Dallas Texas, Midland Tx and points beyond.
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