The right lighting can make or break a room; it sets the mood and should work to enhance your design scheme as a whole. While there are many options to choose from, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming: first determine the lighting needs for each room, and decide whether it requires ambient, task or accent lighting. From there, choose the placement and style.
What types of lighting products are available? To help narrow your search , first decide where you want to install or place the lighting. Do you want permanent ceiling or wall fixtures, or portable lamps? Think about the type of feel you’d like the lighting to create: ambient lighting provides a bright light or relaxed glow, task lighting shines a beam of light on a specific area, and accent lighting is used for highlighting something of importance. Read below to learn about your options.
Ceiling lighting: If you prefer light from above, or if space is tight, choose to affix lighting to your ceiling. Here are a few options to consider:
Chandelier: Chandeliers are elegant and classic, a source of ambient light and will add a touch of glamour to any room. Though you should feel free to hang chandeliers anywhere in the house, if you do choose one for the traditional dining room placement, be sure it hangs 30-36” above your table, and is about one-half the width of the table.
Flush mount fixtures: Flush mount fixtures hang flat against the ceiling and come in various styles. They’re a good solution for providing ambient light from low ceilings; however, it can be difficult to change bulbs in flush mounted fixtures.
Semi-flush mount lights: Hanging about 4 – 8” from the ceiling, these fixtures are a cross between flush mount fixtures and chandeliers and provide ambient light.
Pendant lights: These lights suspend from the ceiling and feature shades or globes to prevent glare from the bulb. For ambient light, choose a pendant light with the shade directing up, called an inverted pendant. For task lighting over a workspace or island, choose to have the shade pointing down, known as a downlight.
Island lights: With lights that hang at the end of a stem or rod, island lights are similar to pendant lights but may have two or three light sources vs. one, creating a larger pool of light.
Recessed lighting: Mounted in the ceiling and therefore flush with the ceiling, recessed lighting provides ambient light and can be effectively used throughout the home.
Track lighting: With a series of light affixed to a metal track, this type of task or accent lighting allows you to focus it wherever you’d prefer, be it the kitchen counter or a statement art piece.
Wall lighting: Wall lighting provides indirect light, saves space in tight-knit corners and adds a decorative touch. Choose from two general options:
Wall-mounted lighting fixtures: Otherwise known as sconces, these illuminate the surface of the wall and are available in a variety of styles.
Swing-arm lamps: Install a swing-arm lamp near your bed or sofa to use as a functional reading lamp.
Lamps: Portable lamps allow you to move your lighting around and add it where necessary. Choose from table lamps, desk lamps or floor lamps: each come in a variety of styles to complement your overall décor. In general, table lamps best flank your sofa or bed, a desk lamp adds task lighting to a workspace and floor lamps help balance an overall room layout or add lighting to a corner.
Should you choose incandescent, halogen or fluorescent bulbs? Each one creates a different type of light. Incandescent bulbs emit a yellowish-white light and are available in different wattages and shapes. They best work for general lighting needs, such as lamps. Halogen lights tend to last longer than incandescent bulbs and yield light that appears bright and white. It’s best for track lighting, recessed lighting or undercabinet lighting. Lastly, fluorescent lights are available in different colors such as warm white or black light, creating a glowing effect. Fluorscent bulbs work best in recessed downlights, wall sconces, track lighting or ceiling lighting.
What style lighting should you consider? Determine the design scheme of your home to figure out the type of lighting that will best reflect it. Chandeliers will lend a classic vintage feel, while a wall fixture with a rocket-nosed cone shape will evoke mid-century nostalgia.
What type of finish should you look for? This depends on the style you’d like to present with your lighting. Brushed nickel will feel more contemporary, while pewter lamps are sleek and modern.
Now that you’ve got the background on lighting, check out our assorted collection from lamps to pendant lights to chandeliers to best light up your home.
