Avatar Inspired Lighting: Recreate Pandora with Three Lighting Tricks

In 2009, James Cameron introduced earthlings to the visually tantalizing planet of Pandora. In all aspects, the alien planet is constructed to evoke feelings of tranquility and nature. But the breathtaking visuals take place when the sun goes down and the lights come up . . . bioluminescent lights.

If you have ever seen a red tide, you know that James Cameron took us all the way to Pandora to show us something we have right here on planet Earth. Also, if you have been lucky enough to witness the bioluminescence of a red tide, you know how incredibly beautiful it is.

What if I told you that you could recreate the incredible lighting of a nighttime Pandora right in your own home? It’s easier than you might think using these three tips.

Layer Your Lighting

One of the first things you notice when you look closely at the nighttime scenes in Avatar is there are multiple light sources at varying levels. You most likely already have light sources in your space, so one layer exists. To add a little more depth and color, add a strip of lighting at floor level. The key to really nailing this effect is to make sure that you can’t see the light source, so conceal that strip behind some molding or under a kick space. This will be your first layer of light.

Add in some more layers by placing RGBW strip lighting on top of an armoire or cabinets and the base of indoor plants. The idea is to create pops of color at mid-level. Incorporating accessories like an RGB oil diffuser will also help to drum up the color and induce the calmness of a Pandora scene.  

Choose the Right Color Palette

Although bioluminescence on Earth is pretty much confined to blue, yellow, and red, the creatures on Pandora are able to create light in blues, purples, and greens. So, you will want to stick with white lighting as your base (this is your traditional lighting) and then steer clear from oranges and reds. Those colors tend to elicit anger and anxiousness - definitely not what we want to achieve in your home! The beauty of using RGB tape lighting to achieve your own personal Pandora, is that you are not stuck with a color scheme. You can modify your strips using a compatible controller, allowing you mastery over light levels and colors, changing as often as the mood strikes.

It Is Easy Being Green

Now that you have your lights layered perfectly and you have selected the ideal color palette, you might be feeling close, but not done—your space doesn’t quite have that Pandora feel yet. The missing ingredient might be more green . . . plants that is! Big, leafy plants and ferns are a Pandora staple and perfect for hiding your strip lighting and bringing an exotic and biophilic Zen to your space. Don’t be afraid to add in some hanging plants, as these will contribute to depth in your design.

This calming and beautiful light scene doesn’t just have to exist on the big screen; employing these three simple steps, you can recreate the feeling of Pandora right in your own home. For help ordering or to discuss more lighting options for your space, call 1-800-624-4488 or try our convenient pop-up chat feature at the bottom right corner of our web pages.