Some studies have shown that brighter light can intensify emotions, while low light doesn’t remove emotions, but keeps them steady. Brightness is the amount of light given off by a light source, usually expressed in lumens or lux. These are the three main qualities of light in relation to color. In other words, something that draws one’s attention within the scene should turn out to be an important object or boundary…If what draws one’s attention and what is worth looking at turn out to be different properties, then the scene lacks coherence.” – Kaplan and Kaplan, 1988 Brightness, Saturation and Hue
“It is also important that a change in texture or brightness in the visual array is associated with something important going on in the scene. Highlighting areas of an environment to help draw people’s attention can help them find familiar objects, spaces and structures. A brick wall that resembles one in a café a person frequently visits, or a painting that makes you think of the one in your mother’s house. It can be used to highlight building elements, spaces, paintings, textures, etc. Whether it’s a building that reminds us of a toy we had as a child or a space that resembles something we just saw a few weeks ago – finding familiarity in the unknown helps us adapt. This helps us interpret and understand a new environment, and might make it seem less daunting or intimidating. Kaplan and Kaplan found that when we are exposed to a new environment, we tend to cognitively try to find a match in our memory that fits the new environment. For this particular subject of lighting and psychology, a study they published titled “The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective” includes some interesting findings that can help us better understand the way light can affect us. Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, both former professors of psychology at the University of Michigan, have conducted numerous studies on the way humans react to their environments. Kaplan and Kaplan: Environmental Cognition Psychologically, light can decrease depression scores and even increase cognitive performance such as reaction time and activation. It can improve mood and stabilize our circadian rhythms, helping us get a better and deeper nights sleep. When light biologically impacts us, it can improve or disrupt our sleep, cognition and overall wellbeing. Think lower color temperature, dim lights, soft transitions, and a few focal points for reflections of light.Light creates more than just visual effects (image, shape, intensity, perception, contrast, etc.) it also has biological and psychological effects that can impact the health and wellbeing of humans.
Keeping some concepts in mind can help overcome a lack of romance in the decor or location. Setting a romantic mood with light does not need to be difficult, and your strategy will depend on the room and environment.
Of course, don't go crazy with the reflective objects and surfaces of your romantic atmosphere might start feeling like a brightly lit hall of mirrors. With the dimmer lights, these objects will become focal points of the light that remains in the room. Focal Pointsįinally, use objects that reflect light to create some highlight effects. For a dining room, that would be just under and around the table. If most of the room is kept in the shadows, the focal point should be where the people are located. There should be no harsh transitions from light and dark. ContrastĬontrast can also be used to set a romantic mood. For an even more sophisticated use of light, consider warm dimming LEDs that dim from a whiter to a redder color temperature. Think of a cozy fireplace or a dining table lit with only candles. For a more romantic feel, use dimmers to turn down the lights. BrightnessĪnother factor related to color temperature is the brightness of the light. Avoid "cool" colors like white or bluish light, keeping the light on the warm end of the spectrum. Red or soft pink light bulbs can change the makeup of a bedroom, living room, or dinner table. Think of sunrise or sunset, when the sun is at its "warmest" color, a red or orange hue.
Color TemperatureĬolor temperature is hugely important for a romantic mood. Whether it be Valentine's Day, a birthday, anniversary, or a quiet dinner with a significant other, light is one of the most important factors for setting the mood. You can make or break a romantic atmosphere with the proper (or improper) use of light.
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