Lighting your new home is so much more than just attaching fixtures to the walls and ceilings. In fact, you should put in as much effort on the lighting as you do on the decor and painting. Your home will look its best only when everything in it is shown in the best light, pun intended. Depending on the unique decor of the room and its contents, you must plan your lighting accordingly. For example, a room with modern and minimalist elements would not look good with classic mahogany fixtures that are otherwise well suited for regal interiors. Here are the best ways to light up your home and subsequently, your life.
Kitchen
If you are looking for general lighting in the kitchen, fluorescent lighting is the best way to keep it simple. In addition, you can choose to light up cabinets and other display shelves separately. Cutlery, spice racks and other decor items in the kitchen can be highlighted with accent lighting through halogen bulbs. These lighting options are simple, effective, visually aesthetic and well within your budget.
Living Room
Let’s face it, the living room is the one room where most time is spent by the family, guests, friends and relatives so it imperative to get the lighting right. While it is easy to attach general lighting throughout the room, there are smarter lighting options that can add to the aesthetic value of the living room. Instead, you can choose from spotlights, nightlights, lamps and more to highlight specific areas of the room and draw attention to them.
Bathroom
Most bathrooms do not have large windows and are therefore naturally darker than the rest of your home. Sometimes, bathrooms require artificial lighting even during the day, making effective planning a crucial step. It is common to place a light over the sink and mirror but this light may not always reach the tub or the shower area. In this case, you can choose to get small ceiling lights or a sun tunnel to channel the light more effectively and frugally.
Bedroom
The bedroom is only meant for relaxation and sleep. This is why it is important to keep the lighting inviting and calming. Bright lights in a bedroom are more or less useless as you do not spend a majority of your day in there. However, if you do use your bedroom for other activities like work, ensure that you have the right type of lighting near your desk. While the rest of the room can be dimly lit near the bed, ensure that your computer station or work table is sufficiently lit with spotlights or table lamps.
Outdoors
Most homeowners don’t have to worry about outdoor lighting, especially if they live in an apartment complex. However, if you have enough outdoor space in the form of a balcony, terrace, pool, lawn or backyard, you should consider the right lighting effects. If you are keen on security, choose flood lights near the walls. However for recreational purposes like a deck, patio or a barbecue station, it is best to choose low voltage lights that provide spotlighting.
