Lighting is one of the key elements that help make your house a home. The proper lighting enables you to perform tasks easily, makes you feel safer and more comfortable, and allows you to enjoy your home at its full potential. Each room, however, has specific and unique general and accent lighting needs. Here are some tips and ideas to consider when planning your lighting needs for each room in your home.
Different Lights for Different Rooms
One should also consider the available natural light when selecting artificial lighting methods. Balance the functional and aesthetical nuances of light. Adequate illumination in the living room and study room is essential, to avoid eyestrain, while bathrooms and dressing tables need task lighting. In the bedroom, you can fit a dimmer switch that controls the brightness level, to create a soothing ambiance.
Entryway, Halls, and Stairway Lighting
The foyer conveys the first impression of a home’s interior. Center a traditional chandelier, contemporary pendant, or transitional close-to-ceiling fixture in your hallway to provide basic illumination and create a welcoming atmosphere.
To prevent accidents, stairs should be lit from top to bottom with switches in both places. For safety in hallways, place lighting fixtures every 8 to 10 feet. Tie in the fixtures you choose by matching your foyer chandelier or pendant with close-to-ceiling fixtures for hallways and smaller chain hung fixtures for stairways.
Living Area & Family Room Lighting
Enhance your room’s ambiance, dramatize wall textures, accent artwork, or just provide general illumination for your den, living room, family room, playrooms, or bedrooms. A variety of different types of lighting fixtures will work for both your general lighting and accent lighting needs. Use recessed lighting to light a general area. This is preferred because the light source is concealed. Close-to-ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, and interior lamps are also excellent choices and provide ample lighting. These fixtures are not only decorative pieces but are ideal sources of task lighting for reading or playing games.
Dining Room Lighting
Your dining table is in place, chairs are pushed in, and the table is set. The only thing remaining to complete the picture is the centerpiece, your light fixture. This lighting fixture is the focal point of your room, so it needs to express your own personal style, while still satisfying general lighting needs. Whether your dining and entertaining style is casual and laid back, or is generally more formal, choose a fixture that reflects you. Add accent lighting to the room, too. Aim adjustable halogen recessed fixtures on the table and chandelier. This will provide additional light on the table, and will also bring out the brilliance of the chandelier. Consider companion sconces on either side of a china cabinet or hutch. Cabinet lighting mounted inside valances and cabinets also adds drama.
Kitchen Lighting
Not only are your meals prepared here, but your family and guests gather here as well. Sufficient and adequate lighting is a must for performing all your culinary needs, helping your kids with their homework, and reading the paper.
- Sketch a plan of your kitchen that focuses on activity areas and then decide what kind of light each area will need: general, task, accent, or decorative.
- Use higher watt bulbs in task areas.
- A glass or plastic pendant will provide ample “up-lighting” to cover the entire dinette area with light.
Use under-cabinet lighting to help prevent shadows on the counters, while adding critical light to the workspace. Fluorescent under-cabinet fixtures are also a cost-efficient lighting source. In open areas over sinks use recessed downlights mounted directly over the sink.
Illuminate your special home objects, architectural detail, or food presentation areas with track or recessed lighting. Use under-cabinet lighting in cabinets, valances, and toe spaces and create drama while also supplying additional light to navigate around your kitchen in the evening.
Don’t be afraid when choosing lighting for your home, it can help your ambiance and mood in the space. For more information on custom lighting and home design, contact us at (239) 495-8200 and visit our website www.freyandson.com
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