Home Lighting :: Track Lighting :: Progress Lighting

Mini Course Track #8: Home Lighting

Home lighting is a major player in our designed spaces and we should not take this lightly. (Just a little pun there.) Not only is it functional, but it's aesthetical too. To determine your lighting needs, first know that there are 3 categories of lighting:

General Lighting - For overall lighting in an entire space. It is general lighting for visibility and safety.

Task Lighting - For specific workspaces where specific lighting is directed upon. Task lighting is used for reading, studying, writing, sewing, and other specific functions. Even lighting in our kitchens, that is eye-catching but functional, in that it is directed upon our countertops, is task lighting.

Accent Lighting - For focusing on specific objects or areas, like a painting on a wall, or artwork on a pedestal.

The three main categories of light bulbs are:

Incandescent: Mostly used in homes today, because they produce a warm, white light and are available in an array of wattages, shapes and prices. Not as energy-efficient as fluorescent or halogen bulbs.

Fluorescent: The most energy-efficient and least expensive by using only 20 to 35 percent as much electricity as incandescent bulbs, and last up to 20 times longer.

Halogen: Longer lasting, brilliant, white light having more lumens per watt than incandescent bulbs. They don't grow dim like incandescent bulbs.

Warning: Keep lighting away from toys, fabrics or flammable surfaces. The heat of bulbs can cause fires. Be careful how you use your lighting sources.

Lighting comes in many forms like floor lamps, table lamps, pendants, chandeliers, wall-mounted, recessed in the ceiling, in and under cabinets, vanity strips, and track lighting.

Also light is directly focused as up-lighting or down-lighting, as in the way that would make your indoor tree most interesting. Be careful not to let the fixture come in contact with the plant.

Give adequate lighting in every room of the house; leave no dark places.

You can give interest to a big, long wall with a wall-washing effect. Just simply place wall-washing lights so that their arcs of light gently overlap each other.

Lighting is such a major design element in our rooms today. We should take every advantage of each area and play up the right lighting affect. It adds interest and ambience and gives us a sense of comfort and security. Make lighting a decorating priority.

To advance to track #9: Drapes.

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