Lighting Tips for a Media Room
- by Chris - updated on 1/29/2016
Hit The Lights! It's Game Time
It's championship time again and you know what that means. Now is the time to start prepping your media room for the perfect party. You've planned out the dips, snacks, beverages and seating arrangements for optimal viewing pleasure, but have you thought about the lighting?
It's proven (by scientists!) that lighting directly affects your mood, and nothing is worse than getting a headache mid-game because the room is insufficiently lit or too bright to enjoy what's on the television. From kickoff to the final whistle, and all of those anticipated commercials in between, proper lighting is essential when millions of Americans are sure to be glued to their screens for the big game.
Luckily, there are a few hard and fast rules that will help you properly light your media room, living room, man cave or wherever you choose to enjoy the game — even if your team isn't playing.
Rule #1 Replace Fluorescent Bulbs with LED
Get rid of fluorescent lights. They are distracting and offer far too much illumination, which will likely bring more attention to the spilt dip on the floor or empty chips in the bowl than to what matters most—the game. Additionally, fluorescent ballasts can be noisy, giving off a subtle yet incessant buzzing in the background that can be maddening.
LEDs are a much better choice. Not only will they eliminate any distraction, they're much more efficient, which means you won't have to replace them as often.
Rule #2 Create a Lighting Scheme
Opt for table or floor lamps, which can provide plenty of brightness while making your room feel warm and inviting. Look to place lamps strategically, using color neutral bulbs, to prevent eyes from becoming tired and strained while watching a TV in a darkened room. It's important to pay special attention to placement around the room. Biased lighting, where you place the light source behind the TV and to either side can make for a more pleasant viewing experience. Additionally, keep lamps at eye-level so they don't spotlight your guests.
If you have overhead, ceiling lighting, it may be worthwhile to install dimmers, or use offset wall sconces to help minimize brightness. Bulbs that are too bright can easily be replaced with dimmable, energy efficient LED options that can be controlled to best light the room. Not all LED bulbs are dimmable – be sure to check that the dimmer and bulb are compatible. Many smart light bulbs are dimmable and even allow to cycle between different colors.
Rule #3 Use Natural Light
Don't fear natural light. Natural lighting creates a non-artificial feel, which is more welcoming for your friends. Not to mention, it lets you spend money where it matters most for the game — snacks and refreshments … and not on your electricity bill.
When utilizing natural lighting, use accent lighting to provide small bursts of light in areas that might be hidden from a window. Wall sconces and pendant lighting are excellent choices, but track lighting can also be used to highlight areas around the room that could use a little extra love. For something that requires less construction, consider strategically placed lamps as discussed above.
For more information and advice on the best lighting techniques to use for not only watching a big game, but improving your television viewing area overall, make sure to visit your local Batteries Plus Bulbs store. Our lighting experts can help answer any questions you may have and recommend the best products for your specific needs. While the proper lighting won't help your team, it'll certainly make the experience of watching the game a winning one.