Football season is upon us, and the MLB playoffs are around the corner. It is now that you need to make sure your entertainment area is ready for guests and family. It doesn’t matter if your TV is in the family room or the media room; you need more than a large screen to enjoy your viewing experience.
According to American Lighting Association (ALA), lighting is important for movies and sports viewing. However, poor lighting can cause distractions to family relaxation time.
The ALA has these simple tips to ensure your media room has adequate lighting.
* Consider reflection. If your TV is large, it acts as a reflector. With overhead light sources, a bigger screen means more bounce.
* Focus on ambient light more than direct light. An overhead source with a lot of light will create more glare. This is why ambient light, or task lights — sidelights, sconces, etc. — should be your main focus. Dim the light more on the walls than the ceiling.
* Dim it. When watching a movie, most people turn off the lights. To create balance, you need lighting. The TV should not be the only source of light. It also needs to illuminate steps and obstacles.
* Light the room in layers. Three layers of light should be used to properly illuminate a room: ambient, task and overhead. This allows you the ability to choose the right light for your space, based on what time of day it is.
* Reduce glare when you can. Reduce the natural light as much as possible by using window treatments. Artificial light sources can be used to supplement it if necessary.
Most importantly, whatever your style, there are beautiful decorative lights that can complement the décor and, in the long run, are as important to comfort as a cushy sectional sofa.
Visit your local ALA-member retail showroomFor the most up-to-date products, and to speak with an expert about choosing media room lighting that is appropriate and efficient for your space, visit the ALA member showroom. Find your nearest ALA-member lighting showroom by visiting www.americanlightingassoc.com.
