Lighting is an integral part of your home. A low wattage, type of bulb, or the incorrect placement of a fixture mar the decor and make an otherwise lovely room seem drab. In places such as closets where lighting is needed more for organization than aesthetics, poor lighting can hinder your attempts to find things.
Go through every room of your house, as well as the basement and attic, and answer the following questions: What is the chief use of the room? Are there various people using the room for various things? For example: perhaps one person favors a room for desk work, but another uses it for playing video games. How many outlets are available in each room as compared to the number of lighting fixtures desired, and other necessary electric equipment? How many items that are electrical can be turned on or off by wall switches? Are there any outlets that may be hard to reach because of large furniture?
Next, you can place new lighting in the areas that you have decided that they are necessary. Adding a floor lamp to a room can make it seem larger, if you pick the right size and shape for your room. Consider recessed lighting for a bathtub or shower because it is a gentler type of lighting than a track light or a pendant light. If you want a subtle light that can help an unusual wall, opt for a wall lantern. Desk lamps are another option, contingent on your room. When you are picking where to put each light, take a few minutes to consider how the shadows will fall as well.
Light bulbs come in so many different shapes and sizes these days, that you are no longer limited to just the traditional style of light bulb. Bulbs come in many colors and sizes for chandeliers or other types of decorative light fixtures. Consider using the compact fluorescent bulbs which are eco-friendly. Although many people want a bright, central light for the kitchen, you can also add lights under your cabinets to accent work areas. Your living areas and bedrooms are good areas to have more than one type of lighting. It is also fun to use the lighting fixtures as a way to augment the theme or color scheme in a bedroom or playroom. You can also add decorative night lights to your hallways and bathrooms. Dimmers are another option that gives you more flexibility.
Add Exterior Lights to Make Your Home Appealing
Take a look at your yard at night. What areas need some additional lighting? One cheap option is to add string lights to the outside 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 bright at night that your visitors will have to squint! Pick something that will be helpful, but not overly-strong. If you use any type of extension cord, it needs to be safe for outdoor use.
Simple Ideas to Keep the Decor Lively
Whether you update your furnishings, change a room’s theme, or have gotten bored of the lamp, refreshing your lighting is easy. Many bases and shades are sold individually for you to mix and match. Or put your creative side to use by spray painting a base, or adding or removing sequence, buttons, fringe, or stencils to a shade. (Make sure that any applied decoration conforms to safety standards). Try out inventive battery powered fixtures. Altogether, aim to figure out how the perfect lighting makes your home a dream. Take a look at nearly new Aledo homes for sale for ideas on lighting.