Light Up Your “Layout!”

You may have been thinking about maybe giving your beautiful home a new lighting makeover to bring out the elegant qualities that you would love to show off to family and friends. So, whether you want to just make a minor adjustment or a whole-house upgrade, we will give you some great room-by-room tips on bringing out the best lighting in your home.

Living/Family Room

The concept of layering light is particularly important in the living/family room, an area of the house where people tend to gather for long stretches of time and engage in an array of activities, including conversation, watching TV, reading, playing board games and using a laptop. Bouncing light off the ceiling creates a sense of brightness in the room, and avoids the shadows or downward direction of recessed lights.

To accomplish ambient lighting that bounces off the ceiling of a living room, you can easily integrate cove or valance lighting into the room’s architecture. Accent lighting in a living room may be used to focus on an architectural element, such as a fireplace or bookcase, or on a painting, sculpture or plant.

imgresBedroom

With the bedroom being the most relaxing place out of your home, we suggest using wall-mounted light fixtures with adjustable arms so that the light can be directed on the reading material. Each bedside light should operate on its own switch, either directly on the fixture or a wall switch within easy reach. Ambient lighting may be provided by floor lamps, architectural lighting, or a pair of sconces flanking a wall mirror. It is best to avoid central ceiling-mounted fixtures that might be perceived harshly when viewed from bed. For a closet, ceiling-mounted or recessed fixtures are commonly used.

Kitchen

With its heavy focus on the functions of food preparation and cleanup, as well as its tendency to be a gathering spot, the kitchen requires careful consideration of task and ambient lighting. One of the main reasons sinks have often been located at a window is to take advantage of natural light, and this layout is still highly recommended by lighting experts. Augment the natural light with a ceiling mounted or recessed fixture above the sink. Using under-cabinet lighting is a good way to illuminate the countertop work surfaces without relying on an overhead light that will cast shadows on the person working at the counters.

Dining Room

Dimmers are particularly desirable as they provide flexibility in establishing a relaxing atmosphere when entertaining. Another consideration when lighting a dining room is to consider the wall treatment, as dining rooms often have decorative paint treatments or wallpapers. A darker color paint on the walls will reflect less light, so more lumens may be required in the room’s light fixtures. A traditional lighting plan for a dining room consists of a bright elegant chandelier above the table.

Bathroom

The bathroom requires careful consideration of lighting placement. One of the best improvements you can make in a bathroom is to light both sides of the mirror. In small bathrooms, always go with the wall-mounted placement. A common lighting design for older bathrooms may feature a central ceiling-mounted fixture plus a fixture above the mirror.

Remember, if you are thinking about upgrading your whole home or even one room, contact us today for we carry the most variety of any type of lighting that fits all of your needs as well as accentuate any room, made by the best manufacturers from around the world.