You may be in the process of furnishing your new den, maybe creating a bar, or perhaps, a low-fi library where you want to put your feet up with a whisky and a book. All these spaces have low, brooding light in common. And creating that perfect combination of lights takes some skill.
To create a brooding, dark, moody atmosphere at home, we tell you how to focus on using lights that offer a blend of warmth and shadow.
Mood matters
When the goal is to evoke a sense of drama and intimacy, often with a touch of mystery, you need to focus on low-light levels and strategic placement of light sources to create deep shadows and contrasts. “The key to this atmosphere is directing light towards architectural elements, artwork, or textured surfaces, creating pockets of light amidst areas of darkness, thus enhancing the depth and dimension of the space,” says Aryaman Jain, CEO, Innovative Design Studio.
At the outset, even the material of the light matters. Kumpal Vaid, Founder and Principal Designer, PB Home, adds, “Use materials like ceramic-finished aluminium or earthenware that naturally diffuse light, creating soft shadows.”
Lighting profoundly influences a space’s ambience. Rather than relying on harsh overhead illumination, emphasise the use of lower, indirect lighting to craft a multi-dimensional effect. “To effectively achieve a sophisticated, moody ambience, incorporate layered lighting by combining various sources, such as table lamps, wall lights, and pitcher lights. This method enables precise control over light intensity and distribution, fostering a more nuanced and immersive atmosphere,” opines Kuntal Vyas Aggarwal, Founder and Design Head, Resaiki Interiors.
Creating harmony
While designing the lighting plan for an interior, the focus is on balancing light and shade for a harmoniously illuminated environment, while also highlighting certain key areas. Mr. Vaid concurs, “Position the lights at varying heights to play with shadows and highlight specific areas, enhancing the moody ambience.”
Saba Kapoor, Co-founder of Nivasa, highlights the importance of dimmable lights. “Ideally, you need to have the overall palette also in deep colours, with lots of dark surfaces. But if your walls are of light colour, then use the lights to take the focus away from the walls. By tweaking the intensity of general lighting, that is ambient lighting, which includes ceiling lights, wall sconces and floor lamps, you can evoke a darker environment…A sconce will create shadows on the wall, while downlights and spotlights cast shadows around, adding to the darkness,” she explains.
The lumens of the bulbs, or the light output of the bulbs, decide how bright the space turns out. Higher the lumen, brighter the light will be. So, for a moody atmosphere, you need weaker lumens, which stands between 220 and 360. “CFL light bulbs emit a warmer tone, while LED bulbs come with the option of toning down the colour. Dimmer switches enable you to regulate the intensity of illumination. In simple terms, keep the ceiling lights glinting, and use lower lumens for hanging lights, floor lamps and table lamps to evoke low intensity illumination. You can also add a layer of candles to create a warm glow,” adds Ms. Kapoor.
When creating a dark mood in a space, opt for a palette that is deep and muted with lots of textures. While you may not be able to change the colour of the walls, you can always add soft furnishings that are rich and dark in colour. Mr. Jain recommends adding spotlights to enhance the appeal. “Employing narrow beam spotlights is effective for accentuation, directing focused beams of light that highlight features or objects, adding depth and drama to the space. Utilizing bounce back lighting as an ambient source softens the overall illumination, providing a subtle, indirect glow that enriches the moody ambiance. Smaller Aperture Downlights are ideal for task lighting, providing precision and control,” he says.
Shadow play
The role of lighting in creating a moody atmosphere is not just in where it should be placed. It’s also about where it should not be placed. Avoid placing lights where they can eliminate all shadows, as shadows are essential in creating depth and a brooding feel. Wall sconces like PB Home’s Sublime work exceptionally well. Its modern minimalistic design creates a soft, diffused light that complements a moody atmosphere.
“Ideally for this effect the ceiling should not have any or very minimal task lights. It should only have one uplighter chandelier as a light source. Your furniture should also complement the lighting scheme, you cannot have bright floral upholstery with a moody dark theme. Accessories make or break this look, a good crystal decanter/cigar cutter, champagne buckets, distressed faded leather, all suit this look,” explains Chiraag Kapoor, Founder and Principal Architect – Chiraag Kapoor Architects.
Natural materials like clay and ceramic finishes add warmth, while the strategic use of shadows enhances the overall effect. The balance between light and dark, tradition and modernity, can transform a room into a serene, introspective environment.
Tips
- Use dimmable lights to control the intensity.
- Focus on indirect lighting to avoid harsh brightness.
- Integrate natural materials for a warm, organic feel.
- Avoid using overly bright or white lights.
- Don’t overcrowd the space with too many light sources.
- Steer clear of placing lights too close to reflective surfaces.
