Residential Lighting Tips

Multiple Light Sources

• Multiple sources of light are usually preferable to relying upon one fixture that winds up being too bright. An overhead fixture that blasts too much glare upon a room can be better utilized by downsizing the brilliance of the bulb and introducing other fixtures like sconces, lamps, windows and directional track lighting.

Lighting to Complement Decor

• Your décor and overall style can benefit from proper lighting techniques. Plan for shaded lamps and softer brightness to enhance a style based on comfort and warmth. A more lively decorated room will better come to life by using bare bulbs and greater variety in brightness of each fixture.

Lighting Stairways and Hallways

• Aesthetics should be sacrificed to function when lighting stairways, halls and other passages from one room to another. Lighting on stairs should effectively illuminate the treads, and hallway lighting should be bright enough to allow safe passage in the middle of the night. One useful option for lighting these areas of lighter traffic is the installation of a sensor that causes them to automatically turn on when you approach these areas.

Bedroom Lighting

• Bedroom lighting is most effectively designed by introducing general and local lighting. General lighting overhead with recessed ceiling lights provides extra head room and can flood the entire room. Smaller local lighting, such as wall sconces or freestanding lamps, provides better lighting for tasks like reading and working on the computer than your overhead lighting.

Fluorescent Lighting

• One of the most effective and efficient uses of fluorescent light bulbs is one that takes advantage of their size. The longer the fluorescent tube of this kind of fixture, the greater the space it will illuminate.

Chandelier Sizing

• Examine the size of the space to be lit as well as the style and aesthetics when purchasing a chandelier. A chandelier that is too small for a room will adversely affect the proportion of that space. If the chandelier is too large, it will overpower the rest of that room's décor and furnishings. Measure the width and length of the room, and add those numbers. The result will give you an idea of the proper diameter of the chandelier for that specific area.

Light Timers

• If your routine is fairly regular, you can avoid the distress of coming home to a house that is dark. Buy a timer that will turn on one or more lights just before you reach your house. This small addition to your lighting scheme allows you to keep the lights off while you are away while helping you avoid the situation of coming home to a darkened house. You can also use these timers as a security measure when you are away during the weekend or on vacation.