How to Get the Lighting in a Room Right

The right lighting in a room (like floor lamps or track lighting) can make a huge impact and it can definitely dictate the feeling and function of a room. But, how do you get the lighting in a room just right? Here are some guidelines to follow:

Three Types of Lighting

There are basically three types of lighting to familiarize yourself with: general lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. General lighting is your basic lighting that illuminates the room (e.g. a ceiling light); task lighting is used to perform specific work, such as reading, writing, or cooking; accent lighting brings an interesting and dramatic element to the space. Accent lighting is often used to highlight walls or things on them, like artwork.

Have a Plan

Create a plan for the space and its lighting. Consider factors such as the scale of your lamps and ceiling fixtures, as well as the wattage -- certain spaces or areas of the room will require different levels of lighting, so you may not want to use the same wattage throughout the room. Also, balancing the scale of your lighting fixtures in the room contributes to the look and feel of the space, ensuring that things don't feel too crowded.

orange-lamp

All Rooms Are Not Created Equal

Each room in the home requires different lighting. For bedrooms, creating mood lighting is key, so consider adding dimmer switches and bedside table lamps. For children's rooms, nightlights are a nice addition. For kitchens, recessed lighting over the kitchen counter area will make preparing meals a lot easier. General lighting could work in hallway spaces, so adding a central ceiling light is probably a solid choice. If you have artwork displayed in the hallway, you can also use accent lighting here. Lastly, the living room area can have a combination of general and accent lighting, and items such as floor lamps, wall lights, and even side table lamps work well here.

Select the Type of Lightbulb

There are a variety of light bulbs to choose from, including energy efficient, halogen, and fluorescent to name a few. Choose the best one by keeping the lamp shade or cover that's being used in mind.

Lighting a space is pretty involved and takes some thought and preparation to get it done right. But by following these guidelines, you can make every space in your home well lit and attractive to the eye.

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