How to Light Your Home Balancing Function and Ambience

There are hundreds of contemporary and traditional lighting solutions available to meet every conceivable purpose and taste. Among these are table and floor lamps, tiffany lamps, ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, fans, track lighting, recessed lighting and vanity lighting. The choices can seem overwhelming. The process of selecting lighting for a room is much like choosing the right colors for a room. Lighting strongly influences the feel or mood of a space, as well as its functionality. Its effect can communicate a variety of characteristics in an environment, such as warmth, starkness, formality, minimalism, romance or practicality.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Plans for how each space will be used

1. Consider the types of activities that will take place in a room to determine the type and amount of light you want in that space.

2. Learn about the various types of light bulbs available today, including incandescent lighting, fluorescent lighting, halogen lighting and environmentally responsible energy-saving lighting.

3. Be certain a lamp or fixture is wired to provide the proper amount of light for the activities that will take place in the room before you fall in love with it. Read the tags.

4. Consider whether you want uplight or downlight in each room or space. Uplight provides atmosphere. Sources of uplight include sconces and floor lamps with shades that shoot the light toward the ceiling. For more functional downlighting, consider table lamps and ceiling fixtures.

5. Avoid selecting lamps and fixtures that will create sudden change in light intensity in areas that flow one into another, such as foyer to hall to living room.

6. Know the differences between the types of fluorescent bulbs before you buy. Cool white fluorescent gives off a bluish-white light and works well with cool colors. Cool white deluxe fluorescent light is white and enhances colors. Warm white fluorescent is great for work surfaces and general lighting.

7. Take measurements of the room before choosing lighting for a large area, such as a great room and then talk to a professional at a lighting store. There are infinite ways to light a large space, so be sure to explore the options with someone who can help you plan the best lighting for the impact you desire.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t install any type of fluorescent lighting in the bathroom unless you want to see every pore in your face each time you pass the mirror.

Resources

• The Environmental Defense Fund’s website offers a complete list of “green” lighting options, helps you choose a bulb for each space, and calculates your cost savings.