Lighting and Color
Where Lighting Meets Color
Without the light color does not exist. A major consideration in planning the color scheme for a home is the study of quantity and quality of light and the methods of lighting.
The quality and quantity of home lighting affects the apparent size, shape, and character of an object. One concern for the designers is how various qualities of natural and artificial lighting can change the visual perception of a surface, the phenomenon known as mesmerism. For example, two fabrics that match in color during daylight may not match under artificial home lighting at night. All types of lighting (natural lighting, artificial lighting) produce unique effects.
The quality of natural lighting depends on the direction from which it comes and time of day. The color of artificial lighting is determined by the type of light and fixture used. Therefore, it is important when selecting colors for backgrounds and furnishings to view each surface under all types of lighting conditions to ensure that the colors will matched or be harmonious.