outdoor home lighting solutions

Maximize Safety and Style With These 5 Outdoor Home Lighting Solutions

Outdoor lighting serves multiple purposes in the overall design and functionality of a home. Not only does it enhance safety and security, but it also adds a touch of style and curb appeal. With the wide variety of outdoor lighting options available today, homeowners have more choices than ever before. Understanding the importance of outdoor home lighting is crucial in creating a beautiful, safe, and functional outdoor space.

Understanding the Importance of Outdoor Home Lighting

When it comes to creating a welcoming and secure environment, outdoor home lighting plays a crucial role. By illuminating the exterior of your home, you not only enhance safety but also boost the overall curb appeal. Let’s delve deeper into these two aspects and explore the endless possibilities that outdoor lighting can offer.

Enhancing Safety Through Lighting

One of the primary reasons to invest in outdoor home lighting is to maximize safety. Adequate lighting around paths, driveways, and entryways ensures that homeowners and guests can navigate these areas safely, even in the dark. But it goes beyond just illuminating the way. Imagine a beautifully lit pathway guiding you to your front door, with each step bathed in a warm and inviting glow. Not only does it prevent accidents and injuries by illuminating potential hazards, such as steps or uneven surfaces, but it also creates a sense of security and comfort.

When it comes to enhancing safety, there are various lighting options to consider. Path lights, for instance, not only provide a practical solution but also add a touch of elegance to your outdoor space. These lights can be strategically placed along walkways, creating a charming and well-lit path for anyone approaching your home. Additionally, deck lights and motion sensor lights are excellent choices for illuminating specific areas and deterring potential intruders.

Boosting Curb Appeal With Stylish Lighting

Outdoor lighting not only provides safety but also contributes to the overall curb appeal of a home. Picture a beautifully lit facade, with gentle washes of light highlighting the architectural features, landscaping, and focal points of your house. It’s like adding a touch of magic to your home’s nighttime ambiance.

When it comes to boosting curb appeal, the options are endless. Wall lights can be strategically placed to accentuate the architectural style of your home, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Post lights, on the other hand, can be positioned along driveways or pathways, adding a touch of sophistication and elegance. And let’s not forget about landscape lights, which can be used to showcase your meticulously designed garden or highlight specific plants or trees.

By selecting lighting fixtures that complement the architectural style of the home and blend with the overall landscape design, homeowners can achieve a cohesive and visually appealing look. The right outdoor lighting can transform your home into a breathtaking sight, making it the envy of the neighborhood.

Exploring the Different Types of Outdoor Home Lighting

When it comes to enhancing the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space, choosing the right lighting is crucial. Wall lights, landscape lights, deck and step lights, security lights, and post lights are just a few options available to illuminate your home’s exterior. Let’s delve deeper into these different types of outdoor home lighting to discover their unique features and benefits.

1. Wall Lights

Wall lights, also known as sconces, are an excellent choice for illuminating entryways, patios, or outdoor seating areas. They not only provide ample lighting but also add a touch of elegance to your home’s facade. These versatile lights can be mounted on exterior walls, columns, or pillars, and they come in various styles and finishes to suit any design preference. Whether you prefer a modern, minimalist look or a more traditional and ornate style, wall lights can effortlessly enhance the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space.

2. Landscape Lights

Creating a captivating outdoor landscape requires careful consideration of lighting elements. Landscape lights are specifically designed to highlight specific features in your garden or yard, such as trees, shrubs, or flower beds. By strategically placing these lights, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere while adding depth and dimension to your outdoor space. Path lights, spotlights, and well lights are commonly used as landscape lighting options, allowing you to showcase the natural beauty of your surroundings and extend the usability of your outdoor area well into the evening.

3. Deck and Step Lights

For decks or outdoor staircases, deck and step lights are essential for both safety and aesthetics. These lights are typically recessed into the surface and provide subtle illumination to ensure safe footing. Beyond their practicality, deck and step lights also add a touch of sophistication to your outdoor living space. With a variety of styles available, you can choose lights that seamlessly blend with your deck or stairs, creating a visually appealing and cohesive look.

4. Security Lights

Ensuring the safety and security of your home is of utmost importance. Security lights are specifically designed to deter unwanted activity and increase safety around your property. Motion sensor lights, in particular, are highly effective in alerting homeowners to any movement around their home. By installing these lights near entryways, garages, and dark corners, you can provide a sense of security and peace of mind. Additionally, security lights can also enhance the overall visibility of your outdoor space, making it easier to navigate during nighttime hours.

5. Post Lights

Post lights, also known as lamp posts, not only provide illumination but also serve as decorative elements in outdoor spaces. These timeless fixtures are commonly used to line driveways, pathways, or garden areas, adding a classic and traditional touch to the overall landscaping. With their elegant designs and soft glow, post lights create a welcoming ambiance and guide visitors to your home. Whether you opt for a traditional lantern-style post light or a more contemporary design, these fixtures are sure to elevate the visual appeal of your outdoor area.

By carefully selecting the right outdoor home lighting, you can transform your outdoor space into a captivating and functional area. Whether you desire a cozy and intimate atmosphere or a well-lit space for entertaining, the wide range of lighting options available ensures that you can find the perfect solution to suit your needs and personal style.

Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Home Lighting

Consider the Size and Style of Your Home

When selecting outdoor home lighting, it’s essential to consider the size and style of your home. Larger homes may require more substantial lighting fixtures or multiple fixtures to ensure adequate illumination. Additionally, the style of your home should guide your lighting choices to create a cohesive and harmonious aesthetic.

For example, if you have a modern-style home with clean lines and minimalistic design, you may opt for sleek, contemporary lighting fixtures that complement the overall look. On the other hand, if your home has a traditional or rustic style, you might prefer lantern-style fixtures or vintage-inspired lights to add a touch of charm and nostalgia.

Think About the Purpose of the Light

Each outdoor area has different lighting requirements. Consider the purpose of the light before making a decision. Is it for safety, security, or ambiance? Understanding the intended function of the light will help you choose the right type and placement for optimal results.

For safety lighting, such as pathway lights or step lights, you’ll want to ensure they provide enough illumination to guide people safely in the dark. Security lighting, such as motion sensor lights, should be strategically placed to deter potential intruders and provide peace of mind. And for creating a welcoming ambiance, you might consider string lights or decorative lanterns to add a warm and inviting glow to your outdoor space.

Keep Energy Efficiency in Mind

Save energy and minimize environmental impact by choosing energy-efficient outdoor lighting solutions. LED lights are an excellent choice as they consume less energy, have a longer lifespan, and offer superior lighting quality. Investing in energy-efficient lighting not only benefits the environment but also reduces energy costs in the long run.

Furthermore, consider incorporating smart lighting technology into your outdoor lighting setup. With smart lighting, you can easily control and schedule your lights, adjusting brightness levels and turning them on or off remotely. This not only adds convenience but also allows you to optimize energy usage by only illuminating areas when needed.

Maintaining Your Outdoor Home Lighting

Regular Cleaning and Dusting

To ensure the longevity and functionality of your outdoor home lighting, regular cleaning and dusting are essential. Remove any dirt, debris, or insects that may accumulate on the fixtures. Use a soft cloth or sponge with mild soap and water to clean the surfaces. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that may damage the finish.

Replacing Bulbs

Over time, light bulbs may burn out or become less efficient. It’s important to regularly check and replace any faulty or dimming bulbs to maintain optimal lighting performance. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for the correct type and wattage of bulbs to use.

Seasonal Maintenance

Seasonal changes can impact outdoor home lighting. Inspect your lighting fixtures before each season to ensure they are in proper working order. Check for any damage, loose connections, or signs of wear and tear. Address any issues promptly to avoid further damage or safety hazards.

By maximizing safety and style through outdoor home lighting, homeowners can create a welcoming and visually appealing outdoor space. Understanding the importance of outdoor lighting, exploring different types of lighting options, and choosing the right fixtures for your home will help you achieve the desired results. Additionally, regular maintenance and upkeep will ensure the longevity and functionality of your outdoor home lighting for years to come. So why wait? Start enhancing your outdoor space today with the right lighting solutions.

When picking lighting for their home, most people focus on things like style and energy efficiency. While these are certainly important, there are also some other essential factors you need to consider. Did you know that home lighting can also have a huge impact on your mood and physical health? Research has found that interior lighting has a lot of interesting effects on our everyday life.

Interior Lighting Changes Your Circadian Rhythm

Why does home lighting affect your health? The main reason it impacts your health is because of a biological mechanism called the circadian rhythm. Without getting too deep into all the scientific details, your circadian rhythm is basically your body’s natural response to the day-and-night cycle. Your hormones, digestive system, internal temperature, and other bodily processes all naturally shift based on a 24-hour schedule. This is why you usually wake up at certain times and feel hungry at certain times even if you don’t look at the clock.

Light has a huge impact on your circadian rhythm. Normally, your body’s circadian rhythm follows the brightness of the sun. However, when you’re indoors, synthetic lighting can cause subtle changes. You might not notice it right away, but flicking on a light switch at dusk can essentially reset your internal clock. The most obvious change is that you won’t feel sleepy at a normal time. This effect is especially pronounced in homes with blue-tinted interior lighting which more closely mimics the look of the sun. Therefore, you might want to adjust your bedroom lighting to provide dim, warm light before you sleep.

Certain Shades of Light Enhance Focus and Creativity

If you’ve encountered lighting design in Monterey CA before, you probably know all about light temperatures. Temperature refers to your light’s color. Even though most lights might seem like a colorless white, they can be cool and blue or warm and red. It turns out that light temperature does more than accent your interior design. 2015 research found that it also impacts the way we think.

Researchers studied subjects as they performed various tasks under all sorts of lighting. They found that people concentrated the most under cold light. Meanwhile, warm light encouraged subjects to be more creative. This means you can improve your thinking just by adjusting the lighting in your home. Try a cool light in your home office or use a warm light in your studio or workshop.

Boost Your Mood With the Right Lighting System

Does the idea of sitting in a dim, dark room feel depressing? It turns out that light level can impact your mood. A 2008 study discovered that brighter light tends to boost your mood. Research has also found that spending time in rooms filled with natural light can release serotonin, the hormone associated with happiness and calmness.

Natural light is certainly the best way of lifting your mood, but even during the dark winter months, you can take advantage of the power of light. Certain types of interior light do a great job of mimicking sunlight. To get the most positivity out of your lights, aim for bright, slightly cool-tinted lights that can be adjusted to dimmer levels in the evening.

Your Lights Can Alter Your Appetite

Since your circadian rhythm affects your sense of hunger, it’s no surprise that lighting impacts the way you eat. Restaurant chains have spent thousands of dollars analyzing all the ways that lighting can affect their patrons. The most noticeable effect is that dim light makes people eat slower and bright light makes them eat faster. Furthermore, bright light or blue light can increase hunger and encourage people to eat more.

There are all sorts of ways to incorporate this knowledge into your home. For a person who struggles with overeating, a brightly lit breakfast nook can be a great way to reduce hunger. Meanwhile, the family who wants to encourage everyone to linger over dinner might prefer soft mood lighting in their dining room.

Avoid Eye Strain by Choosing Your Home Lights Wisely

In modern times, eye strain is a major health problem for many people. Too much time spent reading tiny blocks of text can wear out your eyes, and harsh, artificial light makes it worse. In small doses, eye strain gives you a headache or burning eyes. If you routinely strain your eyes, you can even end up with ongoing problems like migraines or eye issues.

The best way to reduce eye strain is by picking bright, yet gentle light. You need a light that’s bright enough to let you see with ease, but you need to avoid any strong glare that puts too much stress on your eyes. To further protect your eyes, medical experts recommend that you avoid fluorescent lights and pick directional lights that you can adjust to block glare.

Some Types of Light Can Intensify Emotions

Your lighting can do more than just make you happy or sad. Studies indicate that bright light intensifies all emotions. If you’re feeling energetic and excited, this can be a good thing. However, when you’re stressed or anxious, bright light can become a problem. Being aware of this effect can make it easier to unwind when you’re feeling tense.

This is why adjustable lighting is so important. Ideally, it allows you to create a home that moves and changes with your life. When you’re feeling positive, a bright, cheerful living room can make you even more cheerful. However, when you’ve had a long day at work, switching to a dimmer light can give you a little space to relax.

Enhance Your Energy and Motivation With Your Home Lighting

If you feel like you could use a little motivation during your day, take another look at your home lighting. Productivity research has found that stronger lights tend to make people work harder. In addition to brightness, temperature also has an impact. Cooler, blue-tinted lighting helps people to feel more energetic and motivated.

This can be very helpful if you’re designing a lighting system for your home office, but it also is useful outside of work. You can use your lights to help you get pumped for a workout or excited to be working on your next project.

As you can see, your home lighting greatly affects how you feel, sleep, focus, and more. To get the most out of your lighting, you need thoughtfully-designed lights that address all your needs. The Home Lighter is here to help you upgrade your lighting system. Our team specializes in personalized designs that suit your unique lifestyle. To learn more about our custom lighting design in Monterey CA, contact us to schedule a consultation.

Lighting helps us illuminate dark spaces and brighten up spaces. Lighting saves energy bills, improves health, enhances areas, evokes specific moods, and adds value to your home.

For many years, chandelier lighting has graced entry into hotels, corporate offices, event halls, and shopping facilities. They transform places with sheer exuberance, opulence, elegance, and style. Nowadays, homeowners are using chandelier lighting to bring a warm, welcoming atmosphere to their homes. If you are not convinced about the idea of this kind of lighting in your home, here are a few benefits.

Advantages of Chandeliers

Beauty: Among all home fixtures you will ever get, nothing can compare to a chandelier. It attracts attention and instantly becomes a focal point wherever you place it. Even with the lights are off, you will be mesmerized by the crystal prisms.
Saves Space: Unlike other lighting fixtures such as lamps, the gasolier does not use any of your room space. They hang from the ceiling allowing you to use the room space for other home fixtures. This idea avoids tripping due to wires and getting knocked when your children or pets play around the home.
Even Lighting: It is vital for home lighting to capture all the spaces within the room. Other light sources may fail to cover specific areas, but the chandelier spreads out light evenly in the entire room.
Design and style: Chandeliers are available in many colors, designs, shapes, sizes, and types. It makes it is easy to select a perfect choice that blends in with any room or decor in your home.
Zero Damage to Walls: Most of the recent lighting fixtures require drilling holes into the walls. Though the final look is incredible, you have to deal with ugly spots every time you repurpose your home. Multiple drills can compromise the integrity of your walls. Since the chandelier hangs from the ceiling, your walls will always be intact with this lighting option.

How to Hang a Chandelier: A Simple Guide

Adding a chandelier to your home is not just about enhancing its beauty; it’s about making a statement. Whether it’s gracing the entryway, brightening up the living room, or adding charm to your dining space, installing a chandelier can transform any room. However, the process might seem daunting at first. Here’s a straightforward guide to ensure your chandelier not only looks stunning but is also securely installed.

Before you start, ensure you have the right tools and materials ready, including a ladder, a screwdriver, wire strippers, electrical tape, and the mounting hardware that usually comes with your chandelier. First, turn off the power from the main circuit breaker to avoid any electrical hazards. If you’re replacing an old light fixture, carefully remove it and disconnect the wiring.

Next, install the mounting bracket that came with your chandelier onto the electrical box in the ceiling. It’s crucial to ensure that the electrical box is sturdy enough to support the weight of your new chandelier. If in doubt, consider installing a new box rated for heavier fixtures. After securing the bracket, connect the chandelier’s wires to your home’s electrical wiring—typically matching the colors (black to black, white to white) and securing them with wire nuts. For chandeliers that come with a chain, adjust the length to your desired drop height before wiring.

Finally, carefully lift the chandelier to the ceiling and attach it to the mounting bracket according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once secured, turn the power back on and marvel at the elegance and warmth your new chandelier adds to your home. Remember, while these steps provide a general guideline, always refer to the specific instructions provided with your chandelier for the best results. If you’re unsure about any part of the process, don’t hesitate to hire a professional electrician to ensure a safe and secure installation.

Where to Put A Chandelier In Your Home

Deciding where to place a chandelier in your home can significantly impact its aesthetics and functionality. Chandeliers are no longer just for dining rooms or entryways; they can illuminate and enhance various spaces throughout your home. In the bathroom, a chandelier can add a touch of luxury, especially in larger spaces with vaulted ceilings, creating a spa-like atmosphere. For bedrooms, it brings a soft, romantic ambiance, adding elegance while serving as the primary light source. Guest rooms benefit from the welcoming glow and decorative flair of a chandelier, making visitors feel special and valued. In the kitchen, a chandelier can serve as a stylish focal point, blending functionality with beauty to make the heart of the home even more inviting. Hallways and living rooms also present ideal locations for chandeliers, setting the tone for your home’s decor and providing a warm welcome to guests. Ultimately, the placement of a chandelier should reflect your personal style and the unique characteristics of your space, ensuring that it complements the room’s purpose and decor.

The Bathroom

Many people do not consider the bathroom as an option for chandeliers. Generally, people are concerned about their safety due to space and electrical safety. However, installation in a bathroom more prominent than 100 square feet is ideal for aesthetic reasons. Vaulted ceilings or high roofing make a good fit for fixing the glass-cut fixture due to electrical requirements. You may consider installing petite pendants or semi-flush mount lights if your roof is not high enough.

It is paramount for all electrical components in the bathroom to have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. The outlet ensures automatic power shut down upon detection of an electrical fault. Irrespective of your choice for lighting, make sure the fixture has ratings for a wet environment.

The ceiling fixture brings a significant visual impact to the bathtub when hanging directly above it. Placing it between the shower and bathtub is a foolproof plan to brighten up both spaces. Placing the light in the middle is always a wise choice for irregularly shaped rooms.

The Bedroom

Most of the bedroom lighting concentrates on tasks from the desk lamp to the bedside lamps. However, a chandelier gives the room more ambiance and a softer look. It adds a romantic element to your overall bedroom decor and elegance.

The ceiling fixture should complement other furnishings but not overpower them. For this reason, ensure you define where you want to place the fixture. Placing it on the wall above the headboard is attractive if you have a low ceiling. If your room is considerably large, centered lighting will illuminate the entire bedroom. Fixing the light by the bedside can add a little drama to your room with a luxurious look. However, ensure its height does not knock your head and the light is sufficient for reading at night.

The size of your lighting should be proportionate to the size of your room. A 1-foot to 1-inch ratio is ideal when determining the diameter. The easiest method to calculate this is by adding the width and length dimensions and then using the total as a guide for diameter size. For example, if your room is 10-by-15 feet, the ideal diameter of the chandelier should be 25 inches.

The Guest Room

Impromptu visits are bound to happen, and providing a relaxing space is the best way to tell your guest they are always welcomed to your home. Good lighting brings the wow sensation and lifts the moods of your visitors.

A chandelier helps to create a happy environment due to its beautiful scenery and ambient light. It comes with a dimmer switch feature that allows your visitors to control the brightness and softness of the light they want. This flexibility in lighting allows them to undertake different tasks from reading, relaxing, exercising, and sleeping.

The ceiling fixture helps to illuminate the entire guestroom bringing more highlight to decorative features in the room. The wide range of chandeliers allows you to match your decor’s bed size, wall color, and style.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is an important room where people gather to share stories and prepare family meals. You need to spend time in an elegant space, and the chandelier makes a good choice for bringing beauty to your room. Fitting a chandelier in your kitchen space creates an atmosphere that allows you and your loved ones to have more fun and enjoy the moment.

Installing a chandelier in the kitchen creates a balance and a strong focal point that brings out your creativity. These kitchen lighting options blend well with the furniture and designs to build symmetry.

If you’re looking for a lighting fixture that fits into your space, settling for a chandelier will be a good decision. They come in many types and designs; hence can fit various sizes of kitchen space. Regardless of the kitchen space, you can get a ceiling fixture that fits your appropriate width and height.

The Hallway

First impressions are essential as they give information about who you are and what individuals should expect. The hallway in your home is the first place your visitors see.

Placing a ceiling fixture in your hallway allows you to create a look that compliments the rest of the rooms in the house. It comes off as a way of styling your home.

Getting the right ceiling fixture for your foyer will bring out a warm and welcoming theme making your visitors feel comfortable. In some communities, hallway lightings are a sign of luxury and class. You can use this fixture to bring out these qualities and grace your space.

When placing a chandelier in your hallway, consider the shape and size of your space and choose accordingly. Further, you want to ensure that as you design the interior of your room, the space remains safe. Therefore choose gasoliers that are not hanging low.

The Living Room

Your living room is the space that accommodates your guests. It is also one of the rooms where families spend time and have fun or talk. Decorating the room with various pieces of art, fashion, and style in this space reflects who you are as a person and what you love.

You can transform your living room space to look exuberant, glamorous, and fun by incorporating a chandelier in your interior decor. While you may want to have fun when styling your living room, this light fixture creates a beautiful contrast, especially when mixing modern and traditional elements.

Conclusion

For the longest time, chandeliers have embellished homes of the high in the society. You can add your home value through investment in good lighting. For interior lighting fixtures Monterey CA, visit The Home Lighter, Inc to request an appointment.

Lighting your home is essential in improving your general living. Some common home lighting mistakes that people make can lead to a lack of light where needed or wasted energy. Here are six common home lighting mistakes everyone makes.

1. Using One Light Source

Using one source of light will leave dark spaces in your home. You will not have enough light to perform functions, especially in your kitchen. Adding layers to your lighting will increase your home comfort and add balance to ensure all areas in the room receive sufficient light.

Areas like the kitchen require ample light since it’s where you prepare your food. When you don’t have ample lighting, you may end up struggling to cook or hurt yourself when using utensils like a knife. You can improve lighting in your kitchen by installing simple fixes such as under-cabinet strip lighting or overhead track lighting with adjustable lamps.

You can add layers such as task, ambient, and accent lighting that will work together to achieve balanced lighting. You can use the ambient layer for overhead lighting and the accent layer for creative lighting on artistic elements. The task layer is for functional spaces for activities like the kitchen.

Accent lighting is rarely used since it requires a bit of creativity to pull it off, but it can bring your room to life with the right application. When using ambient lighting, ensure that you also incorporate other lighting layers to prevent your room from looking flat and dull.

2. Insufficient Lighting

When installing home lighting, most people usually forget about small spaces such as pantries and closets. Others install a single overhead light that does not sufficiently light up the whole room. It leaves shadows on the storage space and shelves, making the task of finding items very challenging. You can also install LED tape lights or under-cabinet lights in small spaces so that you can navigate easily. These lights also make your storage appear stylish and clean.

3. Lack of Lighting Controls

Incorporating lighting controls in your lighting plan is essential to aid in automation and to adjust your home lighting. Timers, dimmers, and motion sensors can help you save money on your electricity bill when appropriately used.

Dimmers are ideal in creating a more intimate ambiance with low-level lighting such as dining rooms, master bathrooms, living rooms, or bedrooms. They are also suitable for incandescent lamps to help reduce energy consumption and heat emission. Installing dimmers in your incandescent bulbs will help to increase their lifespan. Alternatively, you can use LED bulbs to change their color, dim, and perform other practical and fun things using your smartphone.

There are two types of motion sensors that is the vacancy and occupancy sensors. They turn the lights on or off when you forget. Timers are ideal for outdoor lights when used together with photocells.

4. Poor Positioning

Choosing the correct fixture is as important as placing it effectively in a room. Placing the fixture in the wrong place can ruin the room’s design and cast shadows. A room can have a cave-like feeling even when it has plenty of lights due to poor positioning.
When using recessed can layout to light your kitchen, ensure that you place the lights above the workspaces or countertops rather than over the entire room. This is because can lights fail to illuminate vertical surfaces with enough light where the eyes perceive the light.

Another example of lights that are often placed in the wrong position are wall sconces in the bathroom. To reduce shadows cast by overhead lights, ensure you put them at eye level about six inches from either side of the mirror.

Excess use of recessed lights around the ceiling is not appropriate as downlights do not light up walls. To sufficiently light up the room, your walls need to reflect the light. Superfluous use of recessed lights will leave your rooms poorly lit and increase your electricity bills. Install recessed lighting in ideal places and combine it with other types of lighting such as stylish pendants, beautiful chandeliers, wall and floor lamps, or track lighting systems.

5. Choosing the Wrong Light Bulb

Choosing the wrong light bulb for your room can make it feel dark and cold. One of the first mistakes people make when buying a light bulb is getting the wrong wattage. The amount of energy used in a light bulb is referred to as the watt. Using energy-efficient light bulbs can save your money on your electricity bill while giving the same amount of light using fewer watts.

It’s essential that you perform a little research to determine the wattage requirements of your home lighting fixture. Light bulbs have their wattage requirements, and the wattage limit is labelled or printed on them. If you are unsure of your existing light bulbs, you can uninstall them to confirm. To save energy in your home, you can use lower watts than the recommended but do not go higher as this could cause a fire.

Another common mistake with light bulbs is ignoring the lumen rating. This shows how bright the light bulb is. A light bulb with a higher lumen rating will appear brighter. When choosing a light bulb, remember that you need different levels of brightness in different rooms. Workspaces such as the kitchen require more light. Thus, you need to install light bulbs with a higher lumen rating. Other areas such as the living room or the bedroom can have light bulbs with lower lumen rating since they do not require a lot of brightness.

Your design and use of your rooms will determine the lumens you need. If you are looking for a design aesthetic that is dark and moody then, you will go for a lower lumen, while a bright design will require a higher lumen. You can adjust the lumen with seasonal changes or when you repaint your walls.

Buying the wrong light bulb color is a common mistake most people make. Light bulbs have different color hues and a wide range of light temperatures. The temperature of light bulbs is measured in Kelvins (K), and it affects how the room feels. Warm light bulbs range from 2000K to 3500K and give your space a cozy and soft intimate feel with a yellow or orange hue. It is common with vintage light bulbs such as incandescent light bulbs or Edison bulbs. You may also notice this type of hue during sunsets and sunrises. This color is ideal for rooms such as the bedroom, living room or dining room.

Natural or cool light bulbs range from 3500K to 5000K and give off a truer white color. It is identical to light present in the afternoon and morning outside. It gives a room a crisp, clean and inviting feel ideal for closets, bathrooms and offices.
Daylight light bulbs range from 500K to 6200K and give off a similar light to that of a sunny day at noon. It is a good choice for work spaces such as garages and kitchens since it is more crisp and clean than natural light.

Blue light bulbs are over 6200K, and they are not ideally used in homes. However, people with seasonal effective disorder or artists may use this type of light.

6. Leaving Out Exterior Lighting

Some people may forget to light the exterior spaces or install too much lighting. Lighting up your exterior spaces can improve the security of your home. However, a bright exterior light shining on your window will affect your comfort while you sleep. You can install solar landscaping lights to improve the beauty and safety of your yard at night. Motion-activated security lights are also vital in conserving energy and improving convenience as they light up after detecting movement.

If you are making any of the mistakes on the list, you may need to correct them to conserve energy and improve your comfort at home. If you have any issues with interior lighting fixtures santa cruz ca, you can visit the Lighter Inc. in Pacific Grove for more information.

Creating The Magic

A well-lit room provides more than light to perform your everyday tasks. It is, therefore, necessary for the light source to be functional and well-balanced. Using a mix of task, accent and ambient residential lighting solutions can help you transform a dull room into a vibrant one. Our home lighting showroom in Santa Cruz CA offers conventional as well as custom fine lighting for your residence and office buildings.

Ambient Lighting

Lighting accessories that shed light to create ambiance in a given space make it easy to move around. While natural light can be the source of ambient lighting during the day, this task is fulfilled by pendants, cables, tracks, recessed cans, and lamp lights at night. Suspended from fixtures, pendants and chandeliers provide both ambient and task lighting in a room whereas wall-mounted ambient lights are meant to illuminate the surrounding surface. Ambient lighting can be created in any room with the right light source.

Task Lighting

As the name suggests, task lighting’s main purpose is to illuminate a particular work area. Whether you are working at your home office or in the kitchen, around the work table, countertop or sink, task lighting plays an important role to get the job done. A task lighting source that is placed too close to the workspace can be more efficient than when it is hanging from the ceiling.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting brings accent to a specific area that it illuminates. It is used to focus on a particular object, such as collectibles, paintings, artwork, or a decorative element. In some instances, it is used to wash a wall with soft or colored light. Track lights and sconces are all a great way to use as an accent lighting source in a given space.

Shopping For Light Fixtures

The best way of illuminating a space is to lay out a lighting plan where there are flexibility and room for accommodating various light sources. It’s also a good idea to use dimmers, energy-efficient lights, or remote controls to switch to a variety of light sources to suit different moods, as well as facilitate energy savings. Now that the functionality of various lighting has been discussed, let us look at the different lighting systems offered by our home lighting showroom in Santa Cruz Ca for your residential lighting solutions.

Track, Cable and Recessed Lighting

Track and recessed lighting has become a trend in many modern or contemporary residential buildings. Track lighting fixtures come in various shapes and sizes, and they are a great way to illuminate areas where accent or brightness is absolutely needed, such as the kitchen and home office. They are sold in low voltage and high voltage systems along with adjustable spots. The spots can be adjusted individually and work as both accent and ambient lights. Cable systems, on the other hand, run on thin with adjustable fixtures throughout the line. They can be positioned as required and placed in any room to achieve the desired look. Recessed lighting being the standard for kitchens for decades are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes as well. Some of these residential lighting solutions vary in terms of the color, bulb, and baffle.

Pendants and Chandeliers

Ambient and task lighting is made possible with pendants and chandeliers hung from the ceiling, in kitchens, staircases, and wherever high ceiling exists. They offer an element of style while illuminating the room at the same time. Pendants and chandeliers are a great choice for areas around the dining table. Choosing a fixture that is easy to clean and maintain is the smartest way to accommodate these types of lighting in your home. Height is another important consideration here. As a rule, hanging the fixture around 4 feet or more above the dining table is considered safe. Transparent shades provide enough light around the area as well as allow the light to reach the ceiling. If you need the light directed downward, then by all means go for an opaque shade.

LED Lighting

LED lighting bulbs and fixtures are no longer a new concept in today’s households. They have become a standard in most contemporary style homes and offices. These residential lighting solutions can serve various purposes in every nook and corner of the house you can think of. The LED light bulbs come in various shapes and sizes and fit well in different fixtures. Standard bulbs can be used to replace incandescent bulbs found in old chandeliers and pendants. Likewise, halogens in recessed lights are being replaced by LED lights in modern homes. They are easily compatible with wall sconces and other types of decorative fixtures. They can be utilized in myriad ways and are far more energy-efficient than most light sources.

Skylights Sources

A home’s natural light source isn’t limited to doors and windows. Transparent ceiling glasses and panes can be used to make the skylight effectively flood your room with sunlight. They also let you have a view of the sky and vegetation around the property while offering the needed privacy. And the most useful thing of all, they drastically reduce your energy bills. The key is to have the right balance of both skylight and other sources of light. Supplemented with pendant lights and recessed lights, they are worth the cost of installation in the long run.

Other Aspects of Residential Lighting Solutions

Your lighting needs are likely to be fulfilled from more than one source. And you can even mix and match various fixtures in a single room to create a different visibility effect. What type of fixture you purchase for your residential lighting solutions will also be influenced by the following aspects as well.

Personal Style

By now, you might have learned what lighting fixture is best suited for a specific area of your house. But a room isn’t complete unless you give a personal touch to it, or coordinate the fixture with the rest of the elements in it. There are countless ways to achieve this task, both in costly and inexpensive ways. Displaying artwork, collectibles and paintings are some of the ways to add a personal touch and enhance the functionality of your lighting source. Some personal touch or coordination will need to be thought through at the start of the renovation or remodeling. For instance, skylights and pendants for high-ceiling are easier to install during the construction or remodeling of the house. Other types of light fixtures can be put in position at any time.

Efficiency At Its Best

When purchasing a light fixture or deciding its placement, efficiency should be one of the priorities. Because some light fixtures can be the most power-consuming of all your appliances, deciding which one to buy and where it will go is an important – and ultimately energy-saving – decision. For starters, consider fixtures that are dimmers and compatible with energy-efficient bulbs. Placement of appliances, workspaces, and other items in the room should also be a matter of consideration here. As a rule, think about placing your appliances in the kitchen within easy reach and under a well-lit area. In other words, you shouldn’t have to adjust the recessed lighting fixture’s position to see what is inside the oven or to walk around the countertop.

Freestanding Vs Built-in

Whether you want a freestanding floor lamp or built-in accent light is left to you. Like anything else, there are reasons to have different fixtures for different rooms and tasks. And there are pros and cons to each one of these fixtures. While freestanding lamps are less expensive and easier to change if need be, built-ins require meticulous planning and are difficult to replace once installed. For more information on various lighting bulbs and fixtures for your residential lighting solutions, contact The Home Lighter, Inc. in Pacific Grove.

 

A light fixture is also known as a luminaire or light fitting. Light fixtures can have one or multiple lamps. The lamps in LED fixtures are often hard-wired in place, but most lamps are usually in sockets, so they are easy to replace. It is essential to understand the lighting basics since the type of light fixtures you choose sets the ambiance and significantly transforms your space.

General or ambient lighting uniformly lights up the whole room. Task lighting gives light for specific tasks like cooking, writing, computer work, reading, and accent light highlights a particular point of interest. There is a wide array of light-fixtures available to choose from for these three types of lighting. Listed below are the different types of light fixtures for your home lighting.

Types of Light Fixtures

Pendants

Pendant lights are often suspended from the ceiling by either a pipe, cable, or cord. The light from a pendant light is directed down. Hence it is also known as a downlight. In most cases, a pendant light has a shade that encloses the light bulb. Pendant lights provide task and ambient lighting, so they are often located over a kitchen island or a table. Since they are visible, they always add character to your space, and they also exude a strong element of style. So if you would like to add décor to your household lighting, pendants would be an excellent choice.

Ceiling-Mounted Fixtures

Ceiling-mounted light fixtures are directly mounted on the ceiling. They often have either a fabric, plastic, or glass shade that conceals the light bulb and diffuses the light evenly. They light up the entire room, and are the most common indoor lighting fixtures since they have been in existence for over one hundred years. If you would like ambient light, a ceiling-mounted fixture would be the best pick since it will provide a more dispersed and general light in a room.

Spotlights and Track Lighting

Depending on the type of fixture, Spotlights and track light-fixtures are usually attached to a track hung off the ceiling or mount to the ceiling. Since the linear housing has several movable heads, you can reorient them along the track to focus on different directions. Track lights can be used as either accent or task lights and are appropriate for galleries and kitchens because of their ability to be repositioned and adjusted. They are quite flexible since you can change their focus to whatever direction you desire. If you like hosting, track lights are appropriate since you can use them to draw attention to whatever you want.

Table and Desk Lamps

Table and desk lamps are often used as task lights since they are flexible, and you can position them wherever you would like to. For instance, you can place them on top of a desk when working or beside a chair and use them as a reading light. They cannot be used as ambient light because they illuminate light in a downward direction to light up the surface directly below. However, they can be a significant design feature in a room since they are visible. Table and desk lamps are available in a range of styles and sizes.

Recessed Lights

Recessed light-fixtures are installed above the ceiling. The wiring and mechanism are hidden with a lens or flush bulb in the ceiling. A ceiling-mount fixture can be seen easily, but a recessed light is level with the ceiling, so it is more modest. For installation, it needs about four to eight inches of space above the ceiling. A narrow band of light is sent in one direction by recessed lighting. Depending on the type and number of fixtures, recessed lighting can be used for various functions such as task lighting, accent lighting, or ambient lighting. Ensure condensation does not drip on the light fixture by having insulation in the ceiling

Wall Sconces

Wall sconces are lighting fixtures that are surface mounted to the wall. They direct light either downwards or upwards, and their shades or covers often add a touch of style to a room. Depending on the light fixture, they can be used to provide task or ambient light. However, note that they are not quite powerful enough to light up a large space. They are usually installed at eye level, and they are also one of the most decorative light-fixtures. Wall sconces are often installed on either side of a bed or a fireplace for additional illumination.

Cove Lighting

Cove lighting can either be incorporated into or mounted to the upper part of a ceiling or wall. It is often hidden from direct view, and it provides an uplighting along a room’s edges towards the ceiling. A cove light provides ambient, diffuse lighting. Most cove lighting today is provided by a thin strip of LEDs along a niche or cove. Cove lighting is a common type of architectural lighting, so it is often integrated into the room’s structure. They provide indirect lighting, which is the technique of bouncing light off ceilings and walls. It minimizes glare and shadows.

Undercabinet

Undercabinet light-fixtures are usually mounted under kitchen cabinets. They can be a single puck shape fixture or linear lighting used as task lighting in a kitchen. They illuminate your countertop so that you can read a recipe without straining, and they also help you avoid cutting yourself.

Chandelier

Chandeliers are often suspended from the ceiling and are indoor lighting fixtures that provide ambient light. They continually enhance and add to the style of a room. Chandeliers can be quite breathtaking and can be used as a statement piece in your home. There is a wide array for you to pick from since they are available in different materials, styles, and sizes. Since everyone is likely to notice it when they visit your home, it would be best to pick one that fits your décor while providing excellent home lighting. They are often installed over dining room tables, but you can install them in other rooms in your house.

Vanity lights

It is essential to have sufficient light in your bathroom. This allows you to see what you are doing, whether it is your nighttime skincare routine before bed or wearing makeup in the morning. Vanity lights can be installed above your bathroom mirror to make it easy for you to see yourself whenever you are getting ready. Consider your bathroom mirror’s size when choosing vanity lights to not pick a too big or too small light. The wrong size of lights will look out of place.

The type of light-fixtures you choose for your home lighting is essential since they set your home’s general mood. If you live in Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, California, and you are looking for high-end outdoor and indoor lighting fixtures, visit The Home Lighter. They have a wide array of light-fixtures you can choose from whether you are looking for kitchen, interior, LED, bathroom and vanity, outdoor, or landscaping-lighting. They also offer commercial lighting solutions, and you can call them to book an appointment so they can serve you better.