Design specialist could aid lighting decisions

Homeowners planning an interior revamp could benefit from some professional advice when it comes to deciding how to incorporate bathroom downlights and other special features.

Although some people may at first be reluctant to trust an outsider with something as personal as designing their own rooms, there is no doubt that calling in a specialist can have several advantages.

Angela Self, a personal finance columnist for Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail, said using external expertise could actually save homeowners money in the long-term.

She explained that the do-it-yourself approach, although often cited as the cheaper alternative, is likely to end up being more expensive if people are not sure what they are doing.

"A professional can ensure we're making the best choices for our lifestyle, our home's resale value and our budget," the writer commented.

Ms Self added that junior designers at major design firms are often willing to work for an extremely reasonable rate while they put their portfolios together, which gives homeowners access to industry expertise at a fraction of the normal price.

Alternatively, some home retailers offer a free consultation to people who purchase items from them.

"The long-term value of professional guidance far outweighs the initial costs," she said.

People seeking some ideas to share with their interior designer may like to heed the advice of British design gurus Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, who recently wrote in the Toronto Star about how lighting can be used to subtly change the ambience of a room.

An innovative use of ceiling lights or recessed downlights that create flexibility could be a good option, particularly for homeowners experimenting with a monochrome effect.

"You can easily switch moods with differently coloured bulbs, or, if you'd like to go a step further, search out lamps that have a sequential colour 'pattern'," the duo explained.