Lighting makes the room. Take a look at the tips below for museum-quality lighting for your precious art works. 

1. Versatile layers of light to set the ambiance:

Avoid regular downlights on the ceiling. You can emphasize key furnitures or design objects by placing ceiling lights specifically for them. If the room is a stage, the light should be on locations where there is action. On the wall level, use picture lights to create a cosy atmosphere and bring out the colours in your artworks. And to highlight the focus areas, you can add table lights and floor lamps around the room

2. Set the location of artworks carefully.

Avoid hanging paintings in direct natural light. And keep in mind that it would be harder to see the art positioned between large windows.

3. Use LED lights -good quality ones-.

LED light bulbs do not give out infrared or ultraviolet rays, and most importantly the heat, which can damage your treasured artwork. They also save energy, lower costs and distribute the light better. However, chose the right quality, like a colour temperature of 2,700K and a colour rendering index (CRI) of 95 or above, from a good manufacturer.

4. Light fixtures from up or down?

If your painting has a big decorative frame, opt for downlighting (light fixture above the artwork) so that the painting doesn’t have a shadow above. However, if the subject and layout of the painting is suitable, lighting it from the bottom can enhance the impact.

5. Don’t overdo it.

You don’t have to put light fixtures for every piece. Try to emphasize highlights of your collection while integration supporting pieces into the whole. Also, don’t use bright lighting for day time to avoid making the art piece look like it’s on sale in a “white cube” gallery.

 

 

Featured image above courtesy of Blomqvist