The luminaires are a detail that should not be overlooked. Whether you are decorating a new home or redecorating your current home, you should pay special attention to the types of lamps you choose because they play an important role in the room’s personality.
Light fixtures can basically be divided into two types. There is general lighting and accent lighting. General lighting is exactly what it sounds like. Provides the main source of light for an area or room. Accent lighting is used for more specific purposes, such as a picture light to highlight a piece of art, wall sconces to illuminate a hallway, or a simple reading lamp to illuminate a dark corner.
General lighting
For your general lighting, you need to look carefully at what the room will be used for. In a kitchen, you’ll want bright overhead lighting so you can see while you puree, chop, and slice. Today there are many more options than there used to be, and fluorescent lighting can be a great solution for the kitchen. Bright and energy efficient, it now comes not only in the traditional long tubes with the harsh lighting found in offices and shops, but also in warmer colors and compact shapes to mimic incandescent bulbs.
In the dining room, traditional choices for lighting fixtures typically involve sconces or something similar. There are great ceiling fan lighting options on the market today, as well as incredibly creative track lighting that can diffuse light and give a room a warm glow.
Track lighting is also a popular lighting fixture option in bathrooms. Positioned above the mirror, these light fixtures provide even light throughout the space.
Bedrooms often have ceiling lights and/or ceiling fans. For children’s rooms, there are many accessories in fun colors and styles to suit their personality and the theme of the room. Lighting fixtures in the master bedroom will tend to be dimmer.
Common areas like the living room, family room, or study work well with lighting that is adjustable or has a dimming feature. This way, you can have low light for activities like watching TV or relaxing, or brighter light for reading or doing crafts like sewing. You can even get a wall dimmer switch for these light fixtures.
accent lighting
This type of lighting is sometimes an afterthought for homeowners. When they see a need, they add a light. When you find the perfect spot for the rocking chair or recliner where you plan to read the newspaper or your favorite novel, you can choose lamps to fit that spot. It shouldn’t be too bright, but it should be focused on the area where you’ll need it the most.
Image lighting can be achieved with top, side or bottom lighting. Lighting that clips onto the frame used to be a popular choice, but lamp types can actually damage an image in the heat. You should also be careful to choose bulbs that do not produce UV rays, as these also damage paintings or photographs.
Another place you might want to consider accent lighting is in the kitchen, such as over the sink, stove, or cutting board. This way, if you limit your activity to one area of the kitchen, you can have focused light where you need it.
The lighting you choose for your home is just as important as the color of the paint, carpet, or any other feature. It highlights all the features you want to highlight and you can shade those you want to minimize.
