Interior Lighting » Proper Lighting

The Fundamentals Of Bathroom Ceiling Lighting

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:06:33 +0000

Every day, before we head off to the outside world, we spend some time in the bathroom first, taking care of ourselves. The bathroom is also a place where most of us spend time relaxing after a long day at work, maybe by soaking in the bath tub. Homeowners may not put too much attention to it but one of the most important amenities in a bathroom is the lights, especially bathroom ceiling lighting.

Yes, lighting plays a significant role in both the functionality and aesthetics of a bathroom. With the proper lighting, your bathroom can crossover from simply adequate to truly sophisticated. Proper illumination is necessary in every bathroom especially if it is used mainly for grooming and hygiene. Of course, activities such as shaving or putting on make up needs sufficient lighting in order to be done properly. To achieve this, you can install bathroom ceiling lighting fixtures that will provide the needed illumination. You can install a decorative lighting fixture and suspend it from the ceiling. This will not only provide enough light throughout the entire room but will also introduce an elegant style in your bathroom. In the shower, you can also install overhead lighting that will cast enough light into the area without producing too much glare. Ceiling lights will also brighten enclosed corners in your bathroom.

Bath tub areas need a more subtle lighting to create a more relaxed atmosphere and subdued ambiance. This can be achieved by using recessed lighting fixtures that gently diffuse the light but still provide sufficient illumination. A good technique is to focus the light towards the edge of the tub. This will help avoid dull lights in your bath area. Meanwhile, if you are fond of reading while on the toilet, you can install reading lamps either on the ceiling or the wall.

The most important area of the bathroom that should be given proper illumination is the vanity area or the mirror. You can install bathroom ceiling lighting that is positioned in a way that will eliminate shadows and dark circles on your face. This way, the clear and sufficient illumination will aid your grooming and help you look your best. Aside from overhead lighting, you can also use sconces that will provide just enough light without casting hard shadows on your face. If you want to feel like a movie star, you can also install fluorescent light bulbs, either bare or ensconced, along the sides of your vanity mirror.

To create a relaxing atmosphere throughout your bathroom and still provide the enough illumination, you can opt for rope lights embedded in recessed moldings along the outer edges of your ceiling. This will create a more cozy and comfortable ambiance in your bathroom. To save up on electricity, you can use LED (light-emitting diodes). Other bathroom ceiling lighting is also available to suit you individual taste.

By: Tim Lee

Closet Lighting Installation Is Easy

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:00:32 +0000

People give a lot of thought to really utilizing their closet space by good organization and smart space-saving design. What they forget is the need to provide closet lighting as well. Unfortunately, you cannot keep your storage area neat and tidy if you cannot see your way around inside. So proper lighting is going to be of extreme importance.

Natural Light May Not Be An Option

The good news is that there are lots of options when it comes to making sure that your closets have some illumination, but the one source that you usually can not count on in this area is natural light. The reason is that a window can take up a lot of space and might not even be possible to install.

Fluorescent is the Code-Compliant Solution

Safety is most important and you have to make sure not to create any fire hazards in your closet. So really the only option is fluorescent lighting – the only code compliant solution.

You can hire out this job out if that option fits in your budget. But this can also be a do-it-yourself project for someone who is a handy person. The actual directions for each lighting system may vary but it is important to know a few things before you even attempt to begin such a project yourself.

Steps in Doing it Yourself

First you have to identify which source of power you will be able to pull power from inside the closet. You have to make sure that before you start working on any electrical projects that you turn off the main power source first. You will want to install this fluorescent light between studs and the same goes for placement of the light switch itself.

Keep the Light Away from any Insulation

You will need to have access to your attic in order to complete this job to fasten the lighting mount, making sure that you keep the it away from any insulation so that it will not become a fire hazard. Another important rule of thumb is not to cross wires – keep black with black and white with white. If you find that you have a confusing wiring system then you should abort the operation immediately and call an electrician. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Lighting that Runs on Batteries

Now if you are not very electrically-inclined then you might want to consider another option for closet lighting. There are some very inexpensive lighting systems that do not have to be connected to the electricity grid but rather run on batteries. They are small, energy efficient, lightweight and inexpensive. This system requires absolutely no wiring and it is a guarantee that you will not have to end up calling an electrician.

They are just simple light bars that attach under your cabinet or to the ceiling of your closet. These systems generally run on four AA batteries. These kits include two very bright Krypton bulbs that are situated in swivel pockets, which makes it very easy to place the light directly where you need it.

Usually, there will also be two different settings on these lights such as high and low. It is just really all a matter of how much time and money you are willing to invest on a closet lighting system and your needs.

By: Ernest Jarquio

Contemporary Lighting for A Fresh, Trendy Look

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:39:41 +0000

During the post war era, the use of sleek, clean lines in interior decorating became very popular. Then and today, contemporary interiors have certain characteristics that really identifies the style which include clean lines, sculptural furnishings, art, neutral elements and bold color.

While some may find the contemporary style stark and uninviting, others are soothed by its non-busy atmosphere and are drawn to the sleek lines, unique shapes and bold color associated with the contemporary style.

To create a truly breathtaking contemporary room, you do not need a great deal of furniture, art or accessories. What you do need, though, is proper lighting.

Choosing the proper lighting is perhaps one of the most important facets of decorating your home and creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. The technology associated with contemporary lighting today has made it easier than ever before to accomplish grand things in your home with just the flick of the switch. With the right light, you can make an average room look spectacular, disguise flaws and emphasize assets. Lighting can enhance color schemes and make odd rooms seem intimate and cozy.
When choosing lighting for a contemporary space you should choose pieces that are unusual with clean lines. Contemporary lighting fixtures which feature bold color or metallic accents might be your best bet. Recessed or track lighting is also very popular in contemporary homes.

Never underestimate the importance of accent lighting. Accent lighting is important in all home décor styles, but it is more important in contemporary ones because it helps to highlight interesting pieces of art, sculpture or architecture which are the main focal points of the contemporary style.

Accent lighting is pretty self explanatory. This is the lighting that is used as a decorative accent to highlight your décor’s best features such as artwork, collectibles or architecture. This type of lighting can be creatively planned with a combination of lighting products including floor-based uplights, sconces or spotlights.

While accent lighting is not very practical for doing certain tasks, it can add dramatic effect and interest to your home’s most intimate spaces like the living room and bedroom. Accent lighting can also help to create a stunning and memorable entryway.

All different types of accent lighting can be purchased to harmonize with the contemporary lighting style. From floor-based uplights, to cylinder wall-mounted lights, to sconces, there is a wide variety of contemporary accent lighting to choose from.

Task lighting is also very important to consider when decorating in the Contemporary style. Task lighting consists of mainly floor lamps and table lamps, and is the most seen of all lighting fixtures. Be sure to choose lighting that reflects your contemporary space and adds a dramatic effect to your décor.
For general lighting, recessed lighting is the most popular type of lighting fixtures in Contemporary homes. This lighting will illuminate your whole space but not detract from the sleek lines of your décor.

No matter what lighting fixtures you choose, remember to look for unique pieces with sleek lines. If you do so, you will be sure to create a contemporary space for the whole family to love and enjoy.

By: Pamela Tice

Bathroom Lighting Design Ideas

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:01:50 +0000

Bathroom lighting is an great way to give your bathroom a whole new look and feel.

Proper lighting is important in a bathroom since this room serves as a retreat and a place to relax and unwind. A bathroom must have a complete and layered lighting scheme in order to create the desired effect.

Since most bathrooms are small enough that only a single fixture may be required to supply an ample amount of light. A ceiling-mounted fixture can be quite useful. There are many beautiful flush and semi-flush mounts that are available on the market that could be used to create the right lighting design in any bathroom. Today’s ceiling lighting can be quite attractive, especially if you look beyond the bathroom for ideas. There are many lighting fixtures that weren’t necessarily made for the bathroom that could be seen as possibilities for your bathroom remodel.

For the best lighting effect, you should apply your lighting in various layers. These layers of lighting include ambient, task, and accent lighting.

Task lighting is the lighting necessary to carry out specific activities in the home. Generally, task lighting is higher in intensity than other types of lighting

Ambient lighting is a term used to describe the total amount of light that is present in a space. We can say that a room has high or low levels of ambient lighting. Placing surface mounted fixtures at the ceiling can create ambient lighting. Accent lighting is any type of lighting that brings attention to itself or to an object.

You can certainly feel free to have more than one type of lighting for your bathroom, particularly if you have a larger bathroom, you can mix a few wall sconces with a ceiling fixture or group of pendant lights, if you have a high enough ceiling. Depending on your bathroom space you can become creative with your bathroom lighting design. If a bathroom vanity works well in your bathroom, don’t be afraid to embellish it by adding a sconce on either side. A small ceiling fixture, combined with your vanity or bar can create a more contemporary feel to your bathroom. You can customize your bathroom lighting to create your own unique lighting design.

The type of lighting you select for your bathroom is critical to your bathroom design. You should consider ceiling, vanity and recessed, accent (lighting from below counters, inside showers, etc.) and decorative as in sconces. If you are planning on vanity lighting the lighting should be provided on both sides of the vanity mirror.

Do you want to create a brighter bathroom? Do you plan to have built in any features that would need to be accented? Whether you are creating a new bathroom or remodeling your existing one, you will find that lighting design is an important consideration in bathroom design.

When it comes to brightening up a drab existing bathroom you will find that there are lots of things you can do with the existing wiring. Give careful consideration to planning out the lighting if you’re fitting a brand-new bathroom. If the new tiles have been installed over the wiring, for example, it will be very hard to change

The decision on selecting bathroom fixtures for your bathroom lighting will be influenced by the size and zones in your bathroom. A bathroom lighting fixture can be for ambient or general lighting, task lighting for specific purposes or subdued lighting for relaxation.

With the just the right amount of planning and selection of the proper bathroom lighting you can transform your ordinary bathroom into something really stunning.

By: James Mahoney

Try Japanese Lighting in Your Bathroom For a Unique Look

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:58:25 +0000

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your house and proper lighting is essential. The trend is going away from the traditional lighting. Many people are turning towards Japanese inspired looks for their home, including Japanese bathroom and kitchen lighting. The look is very clean, crisp, and some say it has a very calming effect on the home.

The traditional Japanese home is based on Ma, which is the balance between space and objects. The designs are very simple, uncluttered, with clean lines and edges. Some people may find it overwhelming to decorate their entire home in a Japanese style so a great way to start is with lighting.

Lighting is very important in the Japanese home. As you may have seen and loved, light is diffused through paper to give a warm glow. One way that you can mimic this look is by placing lights behind paper screens to do this. You can buy a simple white paper lampshade. You can also buy the paper material at a craft store and make your own.

A hanging lamp is an easy way to decorate your bathroom with Japanese lighting. You could also choose a shoji lamp, which is made of a beautiful wood frame and covered with rice pulp paper. These lamps can be placed in the corner of your bathroom for a truly unique look.

Some companies are even launching Japanese-style lighting fixtures that are made from plant based plastic. These eco-friendly plastics are made from corn starch and are the first of its kind to be marketed in the lighting industry.

Overall, Japanese lighting for your home is a wonderful way to give your bathroom, kitchen, or any other room in your house a unique look. Don’t be surprised if your friends and family will be impressed and want to duplicate your design.

By: Patricia C Jordan