By CLARICE SMYTH
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EASY LIGHTING DESIGN IDEAS
LIGHTING DESIGN IDEAS
Update your home with easy lighting design ideas. These are easy lighting design ideas that you can do yourself.
Any home design style can benefit from a professional lighting plan, but these can be expensive. The investment for a professional lighting plan may not be practical if you do not own your home or are preparing it for sale. But these easy lighting design ideas can help update your home. If your goal is to add new lighting design ideas for low cost then here are a few ideas.
TYPES OF LIGHTING
The three most commonly recognized forms of lighting are ambient, task, and accent lighting. Every room needs to have all three layers to optimize the space’s potential. It may seem daunting, but can be achieved relatively inexpensively with little thought and planning.
Proper ambient, task and accent lighting can draw attention to treasures or away from undesired design flaws. Lighting can ignite a mood or inspire an activity. And lighting can revive a drab room and make it feel like home all over again.
There are easy lighting design ideas that will update your home, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
AMBIENT LIGHTING
General lighting, also known as Ambient Lighting, is used to create overall illumination in a room. It can be a central ceiling fixture. Ambient lighting is essential to avoid excess shadowing or dark corners in a room.
A fixture can be hardwired in the center of a family room, over the sofa table. Installed over a dining room table, or in an appropriate ceiling location in any room.
If hardwiring is not an option use a hook, appropriate for the ceiling construction and weight load of the fixture, and install it in the desired location. Another hook should be placed above a wall outlet, where the ceiling plane meets the wall, and the fixture’s cord swaged to this location. The cord can then be plugged into the wall outlet below. If you are renting this installation allows for easy removal with minimal damage to repair.
When there is an existing ceiling fixture and it is outdated consider painting it and adding or changing out the shades. If the fixture works great but is just outdated then painting it may be the easiest solution.
Remove the ceiling fixture from the electrical source or have an electrician do this for you. Clean, dry, sand, and wipe off the fixture’s surface as this will ensure paint adhesion. Appropriately cover the bulb sockets by stuffing each one with a piece of plastic and securing it with painter’s tape. Choose a spray paint that is specifically made for the fixture material. Spray paint generally comes in flat, semi-gloss, or gloss and is created specifically for stone, plastic, metal, or wood. For best results follow the preparation and the painting instructions on the can, it may require several coats before the entire surface is covered. Once finished, let the paint dry completely and have the light fixture hung back in the desired location.
If the existing ceiling fixture does not meet the lighting needs of the space, and a different type of bulb does not fix the problem, then shop around for a new fixture at clearance closeouts or big box stores for the best price.
TASK LIGHTING
Lighting is essential for safely completing any task. Poor task lighting can result in eye strain or possible injury. Task lighting is used to illuminate areas used for specific tasks, such as a lamp positioned for reading or under-cabinet lighting used to illuminate a counter for food preparation.
Add a table, floor, or mounted wall lamp with an adjustable arm near a chair that is used for reading or other handcrafts. Adjustable lamps allow the flexibility to create the perfect angle or position for the given task.
Under-cabinet lights can be added to illuminate countertops. These lighting fixtures are available that plug into a wall outlet or they require hard-wiring. There are several types of fixtures available to choose from such as fluorescent linear and compact fluorescent puck lights, incandescent linear and incandescent puck lights, and LED linear and LED puck lights. Each has its advantages in regards to energy efficiency, color, and light quality. A knowledgeable lighting showroom representative can make recommendations for specific applications.
ACCENT LIGHTING
Accent lighting can create a mood, but its purpose is to highlight specific focal points. This form of lighting may be used to highlight a cove molding feature, art wall, or to creatively highlight an area in the lower third of the wall.
Types of accent lighting include directional lights, spotlights, sconce lights, strip lights, track lights, up lights, display lights, and rope lights.
Position an up-light behind a tall potted plant and see the dramatic shadow play in the area.
Place a strand of rope lights on top of a tall cabinet or armoire to draw the eye up, or under a low piece of furniture to give the piece a floating effect.
For an elegant or high-end look install cove molding and add cove lighting. This application will accent tall ceilings, making a space appear grand.
Lighting is a wonderful element to add to any room. The proper ambient, task and accent lighting can draw attention to treasures or away from undesired design flaws, lighting can ignite a mood or inspire an activity, and lighting can revive a drab room and make it feel like home all over again.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Exterior lighting design is important for dwellings, structures, and landscaping for both esthetics and safety.
Again look for easy light design ideas. There seems to be a limitless choice of fixture types and finishes. Whether your choice is traditional or modern, or simple or blinged-out there is something on the market to meet your design style.
LIGHTING
Lighting is a necessary element to add to all interior design and exterior design plans. It is necessary to properly reveal great design and provide another element of safety.
When planning your lighting design take into consideration your design style, requirements, and budget.
Make sure that the electrical wiring, where the fixtures will be installed, is up to date and code. If you plan to use antique or retro light fixtures make sure the wiring is in good repair and update the wiring when necessary.
Choose the right light fixture and bulb, in the appropriate wattage, for the intended use and desired results.
To create cohesiveness, choose fixtures that compliment your design style and each other as a whole.
With patience and time, you are likely to find the perfect fixtures for your space and within your budget.
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