Great Lighting Improves Your Home's Look
Lighting is an integral part of your home. A low wattage, type of bulb, or the incorrect placement of a fixture spoil the decor and make an otherwise lovely room seem dark. In places such as closets where illumination is needed more for organization than aesthetics, poor lighting can impede your attempts to find things.
To expand the lighting in your home, you need to utilize a top-down approach. Begin at the attic and work downward to the basement. Think about each room, and how you and your family use each area. A room may have different purposes for different people, or at different segments of day. Take some time to evaluate your electrical outlet locations as well. Are some outlets difficult to reach because of furniture? Do you have switches that turn off an outlet? All of these elements will be significant once you begin to add or change lighting.
Selecting Light Fixtures
The next step is to decide where you need or want lighting. A floor lamp is a great option to highlight artwork or to make a room feel bigger, depending on how the lamp directs its light. A common type of lighting right now is recessed lighting, which is fantastic for a bathtub or shower, since it is not as harsh as a track or pendant light. If you need subtle lighting, you put up sconces. A desk lamp is often a nice touch for focused lighting. When you decide to place new lights, consider where the darker areas will be, as this can change a room as well.
Light bulbs come in such a variety of shapes and sizes these days, that you are no longer limited to only the traditional style of light bulb. Bulbs come in different colors and sizes for chandeliers or other types of decorative lights. Consider using the compact fluorescent bulbs which are environmentally friendly. Although many people want a bright, centralized light for the kitchen, you can also install lights under your cabinets to highlight work areas. Your living areas and bedrooms are good areas to add more than one type of lighting. It is also fun to use the lighting fixtures as a way to enhance a theme or color scheme in a bedroom or rec room. You can also add a variety of night lights to your hallways and bathrooms. Dimmers are another option that gives you more flexibility.
Add Outside Lights to Make Your Home Appealing
Take a look at your yard at night. What areas need some extra lighting? One cheap option is to add string lights to the exterior of your home. These can be easily changed from one season to the next. A light with a motion-sensor option is a great way to give light outside without having to pay for a light being on all night. Another great option is to add solar lights. These lights are eco-friendly and you don't have to worry about wiring. These are good lights for walkways, gardens, and pool areas. Be careful that you don't pick lights that are so intense at night that your guests will have to squint! Pick something that will be useful, but not overly-strong. If you use any type of extension cord, it needs to be rated for outdoor use.
Have Fun with Lighting Alternatives
Getting new lighting fixtures is a great way to freshen up a room's appearance. Many stores now sell lamp bases and shades separately, so you can buy either one or the other without having to replace both, unless you so desire. Another fun scheme is to use spray paint to change the color of a base. You can add beads or buttons to a shade to change its appearance as well, as long as the embellishments meet safety standards. Your intention is to make your home more comfortable and inviting by updating the lighting.