Outdoor Lighting Fixtures are a Top Priority for Night Safety

By Terry Price

There is no better way to give your home or business premises a boost in value and increase its aesthetic appeal than by the proper placement of outdoor lighting fixtures. There are two types of commonly-used outdoor lighting fixtures, low-voltage outdoor lighting is used for landscape lighting, and other types of uses around the home. High-intensity commercial lighting is used for illuminating the exterior of shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and tennis courts.

Solar applications have come a long way, but are generally used in low-voltage landscape lighting applications. Low-voltage and high-intensity lighting can be used for a variety of different applications, and when you strategically place it around the outside of your commercial or business establishment, it can provide great, aesthetic ambiance.

If you are in the market for decorative or commercial lighting, one of the first major considerations obviously is the amount of capital outlay. Determine first of all what requirement you would like your outdoor fixtures to fill. Is it to provide safety or provide accessibility? Remember, the size of the fixtures should complement the function. When you know the outlay of your building, you can select fixtures such as spotlights, floodlights, accent lights, back lights, or decorative outdoor lighting fixtures on the outlay of your building alone.

There are also numerous outdoor lights that can be automatically triggered by motion, and are moderately effective in safeguarding your property. Motion detectors are commonly used outside of residential homes or for illuminating backyards. They can be connected as well to alarms, cameras, and other security devices in a commercial establishment. Remember, when you overlight an area, there are always health hazards and an unnecessary waste of resources. If economy is your number one priority, you should definitely consider solar lighting as a commercially-viable alternative to traditional outdoor lighting fixtures in and around your business premises. Keep economy in mind when purchasing your next lighting package.

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A Lighting Trick-Making Rooms Look Spacious

By Jessica Brylan

There are so many ways to transform every room to a classy look without blowing a budget. I’ve written about the growing trend of McMansions throughout America. People want to learn ways of making rooms look larger and seem more expansive. They also want to know about external changes they can make. But, we’ll get to each one in time.

First of all, we’ve already discussed how painting the walls in a light color like a tan or a light blue makes the walls seem further away. What really completes this illusion is when you trim the room in a lighter color than the walls. The light walls with a lighter trim create a shadow effect. For instance, if your walls are light blue, then your trim should be in a white or an even lighter blue. This works wonders to make a room seem more spacious.

Mirrors are another trick that works wonders. Some people grab one foot squares and affix them flat to the wall. Designer mirrors are fine. What you want to avoid are the older brand of mirrors people used to put on the walls in huge frames like Venetian or Neapolitan wall mirrors. They are great for other places and other purposes. But, they really don’t do the trick when you are trying to make a room look more spacious plus, they are even more expensive. Gardner polished edge mirrors that attach with plastic fasteners or two-sided abrasive strips will fill the walls quite inexpensively and create the impression that the room is larger. I’ll have to get into this into greater detail in future articles.

But for now, I would like to introduce you to a concept often overlooked. That’s why I’m the home improvement and interior design expert. Lighting directed toward the ceiling adds depth to any room. I once created a low cost solution to the lighting problem in a room.

I started with small shelving that I created from cuts of drywall. Since then, I have used other materials such as particle board and plywood. The drywall sheets were six inches in width and ran the length of the wall. I attached them six inches down from the ceiling and completely surrounded the room with the shelving.

Then, I fixed halogen lighting just above the shelving. I didn’t have to really run halogen lighting all throughout the room. I placed two lamps along each wall. I let the lights do the rest. Once the lighting was in place, I placed Plexiglas over the lighting. I had painted the Plexiglas blue so that the lighting would show up in blue. Then I attached sides to the shelving with more drywall.

I used a reverse shelving technique for both sides of drywall. The shelving side was fastened into place with corner fasteners placed upside down. They don’t appear on the bottom of the shelving and therefore, won’t appear at all. The outside side of drywall was attached to the bottom side of drywall with more corner fasteners so that the fasteners were once again on the inside. No fasteners can be viewed from the outside of the box lining the ceiling. The lighting shines on the ceiling alone and creates the impression of even more space.

I finished off the edges with drywall compound and reinforced the boxes with pieces attached at the ends. You have to make sure that you leave a three inch gap between the outside drywall and the ceiling so that light can show through. Also, you will be able to reach inside and remove the Plexiglas when it comes time to change the halogen lamp. It’s a cost effective solution to creating more space in any room.

Standing at the Ventless Gel Fireplace and looking around at the new lighting in the room, my client was very impressed. His room was beautiful. It was as classy as he wanted it to be. And his wallet was still full.

If you start to think about all the things I’ve written about in my articles, you will start to get great ideas for yourself. My knack for finding low-cost solutions mixed with your style of living will really start to transform your home. It’s your home. Make the best of it any way you can. Sometimes, the smallest things make all the difference in the world.

Jessica Brylan is a home improvement expert. She loves remodeling homes. She has even built a few. In all her work, she has split off into interior design every once in awhile. But, actual construction is her first love. She knows enough to get by with the big guys.

Outdoor Lighting Techniques

By Michael Russell

Outdoor lighting, also known as landscape lighting, has known an unexpected boost in the last ten years. This is no longer solely the burden if the local administrations and city halls. Domestic users do approach outdoor lighting and enhance the vista of the domestic residences with various light sources. And no, we don't mean solely Christmas lights!

Outdoor lighting is not only used to create and deliver an emotional aura around a home, or in a private garden, but also for safety and orientation purposes. Customers choose their lighting sources carefully and place them in strategic places to insure safety and to provide for an aesthetic landscape lighting scenario. The light sources for outdoor use should not be too bright, yet bright enough to provide enough light along walkways and prevent trespassing. Bright lights need higher levels of electricity, therefore consume more and increase energy costs. Solar garden lamps are there to solve such difficulties. However, the problem with such lamps is that most of them are of inferior quality or the solar batteries are not strong enough to last the whole night, especially not in winter when they don't even charge enough.

There are some outdoor lighting techniques that might help you create the optimal effects using traditional energy sources.

Spot lighting may be used to highlight statues or central architectural elements. As spots emanate pretty powerful light beams, you should always try to position them higher than the human eyes or in places where people don't usually walk or look directly.
Another method to highlight interesting shapes is called in lighting design terms "shadowing". This is achieved by placing a light spot directly in front of the element you want to create an interesting effect for and point the light towards a vertical surface, to form a shadow.
Wherever you have stairs you might want to employ a technique called step lighting. For this purpose LED fixtures powered by solar cells are ideal, as you don't need too much light on each step, but you need a "contour", a light accent or a light path.

Walkway lighting is pretty important to define landscape pathways and add safety. Solar garden lamps are pretty convenient for this purpose too, but if you prefer having your path lights on for a longer time, you could opt for traditional lamps. Although they consume more electricity and increase energy costs, they are brighter and provide for more safety.

If you have a residence with exclusive architectural traits, you might want to accentuate its beauty with uplighters. The technique is not new and it's already used to enhance many corporate and official buildings.
Underwater illumination is great for artesian fountains, pools and ponds, but underwater lights are generally expensive and difficult to install.

No matter what you choose, just remember that each light should be used carefully to enhance the natural beauty of the scenery and not to add undesired glance and glare. Just stay away from too much if you don't want to fall in the kitsch trap!

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Pendant Lighting

By Ken Marlborough

Pendant lighting fixtures are suspended from the ceiling and get their name from the jewelry accessory of the same name. Pendant lighting has a distinctive appeal and is considered perfect for places like kitchen islands, desks, breakfast nooks and the like. Pendant lighting can be either a single pendant lighting fixture or two or three different ones teamed up to provide a dramatic effect. Generally when two or three pendant lighting fixtures are teamed up, mini pendant lighting fixtures are used. The area of pendant lighting provides a lot of scope for the use of creative designs and ideas.

It is advisable to mount pendant lighting fixtures at least 24" to 30" above the area to be lit. When mini pendants are used, the ideal height would be 18" to 24" above the surface area to be lighted. When two or three pendants are used, an adjustable pendant bar can be used to fix them at different heights. This makes it possible to adjust heights from time to time, varying the overall lighting effect in the process.

Pendant lighting fixtures are available in various styles. Some of the commonly seen styles are sleek clean designs, reflective stained glass and crinkle glass designs. Pendant lighting fixtures are task oriented and provide necessary lighting for specific areas. The intensity of light needed can be dictated by the choice of bulb used inside the pendant lighting fixture.

Most pendant lighting fixtures are available with chains and rods that enable adaptation for different heights. Multiple pendant lights in a single fixture at staggered heights create a dramatic effect and are ideal for use little corners of large rooms. This kind of lighting creates an interesting area in an otherwise ordinary room.

Pendant lighting fixtures made of hand blown glass are available starting around $30, with some costing $500 and above.

Differing budgets and lighting needs can be catered to efficiently by the imaginative use of pendant lighting.

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Enhance Your Garden Surroundings With Landscape Lighting

By Peter Finch

If you have a garden, yard or walkway that you intend to light up you may consider landscape lighting.

It enhances the beauty of your house and landscape around it, be it a garden or a yard or a walkway. This innovative art of lighting adds an elegance that usually compliments the natural look of the landscape.

Often it is used to produce an array of brilliant effects by highlighting a unique aspect of the house, be it the entryways, shrubs or other features. It is in the process of developing into an art, much like interior designing and gardening.

What are the benefits of landscape lighting?

- Beautification of the house and surroundings - Brightening up of outdoor leisure areas like swimming pools, gazebos and patios - Provides a sense of security by lighting up walkways - Provides you a sense of gratification and peace of mind.

What are the various kinds?

You have a variety of options to choose from:

- Low voltage. If you are really interested in conserving energy, you may opt for low voltage landscape lighting. It will enhance the beauty of the house and the yard without exhausting energy resources.

- Solar. This is a natural method of conserving energy. Solar stores energy from the sun during the day. At night, when it is dark this saved energy is used for lighting.

- Outdoor. You also have the regular options lighting the outdoor as well.

Do all the lights and equipments look the same?

Well, variety is the keyword again. Most landscape lighting equipments are intended to compliment the natural look of the yard. You have the option of choosing from a tulip light, a bell light, a pineapple light (our Hawaiian friends believe in welcoming people this way) or a mini lantern light. You can have a path lighter that can enhance the look of the walkway as well.

How do I acquire it?

Designing an elegantly lit yard may not be a very easy task. Soliciting professional advice would ensure an elegant and safe solution. The Internet can lead you to a large number of professionals who are experts in this field.

What should I be aware of?

Safety is very important. It is always wise to seek the advice of a professional and ensure that you use safe and energy efficient landscape lighting.

You also need to be aware of light pollution and the havoc that it may cause to your surroundings and the environment. Misused or misdirected light as a result of inappropriate application of outdoor lighting usually causes Light pollution. Light pollution wastes natural resources and pollutes the environment by generating needless electricity. It harms nocturnal wildlife. Moreover, it can cause accidents as misdirected lights can perilously glare in the eyes of people walking by or driving past.

Smart and conscious application will add that much desired dramatic effect to your house and surroundings. So if you would like to compliment the beauty of your natural landscape or draw attention to the designs in your landscape, opt for landscape lighting and enhance the beauty of your home.

Get all of the latest in landscape lighting know how from the one and only true landscape lighting resource at http://www.gardendesignadvice.com/ Be sure to check out our landscape lighting pages on our web site.

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Focus on Bathroom Lighting

By Ken Wilssens

Lighting in any room is essential, but the need for bathroom lighting is sometimes greater than in any other part of the house, because not only do we need good lighting for doing things like taking out contacts, applying make up, and such, but we also want to have lighting that is flattering and lends a nice atmosphere and ambience to the bathroom – especially for those that have special features like garden bath areas, jacuzzis, saunas, exercise areas, or dressing rooms.

One way to accomplish several lighting tasks at once with bathroom lighting is to rely upon dimmer switches that allow you to adjust the light from dim to strong with the turn of a dial or the movement of a switch. This way, you can illuminate the room when necessary, for example when using it as a dressing room or when cleaning it, and can switch the mood to low light, for times when you are taking a quiet soak in the bath, using the jacuzzi tub, or when you want to open it up to guests during a party in your home.

No matter what kind of lighting you have in other rooms, and what kind of fixtures you choose for your bathroom lighting, it is most likely that the lighting in your bathroom will be best accomplished by using more than one kind of lighting. For instance, you may have a strong overhead light, but you may want to augment it with a table lamp or floor lamp, for other times when the overhead lighting is too much. Or you may have one light for generally illumination of the room, and may want to have a special make up lighting mirror at the vanity area.

There are hundreds of different kinds of bathroom lighting and it is a convenient and good idea when planning to purchase fixtures for your bath, to first look through catalogues online or in stores, to give yourself access to the many different styles and design ideas that are now available to you. And keep in mind that the designs and styles are constantly being changed and updated with new ideas and new technology, so it is a good idea to refresh your mental inventory of lighting options, from time to time.

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Seven Tips for Lighting a Home Theater

Want to light a home theater? Take your cue from commercial movie theaters, the experts say.

Stephen Saint-Onge of the TLC Channel's home makeover show, "While You Were Out," shares these tips about how to light a home theater.

1. Enter a bright, big, public space.

Wash the side walls with light. Consider multiple wall washing downlights or a "wall pocket" or valance with fluorescent or directional sources to project light along the wall.

2. Dim the lights to start the show.

Dim the side light out (except for accent lighting at a low dimmed level on those vintage movie posters) but make sure there is orientation lighting if nature calls. Consider a pair of wall sconces on the side walls.

3. Snuggle up and enjoy the popcorn.

Recessed downlights in the room provide a little illumination so you can find the munchies or the remote but help to provide a warm intimate feeling - just like being at the movies!

4. Don't fall asleep.

Try a little light behind the TV, like a plug-in 4- or 7-watt nightlight behind the console OR uplight behind plants on either side of the big screen entertainment center.

5. Show off the investment.

Consider shelf lights in the entertainment cabinet, accent the DVD collection on the shelves in the back of the room, graze the stage curtains with downlight, or for the full experience, uplight the pilasters or columns on the side walls with a dim but effective glow.

6. Treat the high-ceiling theater with special care.

Go all the way and find a couple of decorative chandeliers or surface-mounted clear beveled glass fixtures that can be dimmed way down during the feature, but still add a bit of sparkle and elegance to the cinematic experience.

7. Go for color.

Try red or blue light at the perimeter either high or low. Built-in light boxes projecting light through perforated surfaces can create a real mood that can impress. Colored decorative incandescent bulbs can be fun and interesting if used smartly. Also consider fluorescent lamps with theatrical colored gels. It doesn't require a lot of light, just a lot of imagination.

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Living Room Lighting Tips and Tricks

Living rooms can be made more dramatic and inviting with lighting. Multiple sources of illumination, including table lamps,pendants, wall sconces or recessed downlights can be used to createa friendly and warm atmosphere.

Accent lighting can provide visual focus on art, sculpture, or favorite room features. Use track lighting, or preferably, recessed or adjustable downlights.

Chandeliers provide a sparkling effect throughout a room. Use clear bulbs in crystal or glass chandeliers to enhance sparkle.

Table lamps can be decorative and functional by not only enhancing a room's decor, but also providing lighting for reading or quiet get-togethers. Three-way bulbs are a good choice, as you are able to choose light intensity.

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Accent Lighting - Adding the Right Touch to Your Home Lighting

By Nicole Martins

Accent lighting - With highly functional task lighting, spaces like the laundry room are brightly lit so that you can see the whites versus the darks. However, such bright light does not create a soft mood or add drama; for this you choose accent lightings.

Accent the mood with wall dimming options

First stop in creating mood and accent around the home is to incorporate wall dimmers to light fixtures, including ceiling mounts and chandeliers. This approach is very commonplace and gives you options to fully accentuate the room or produce softer more gentle lighting.

Emphasize artwork and wall hangings with accent lights

Adding a wall mounted museum light or picture light is an excellent way to accent fine artwork; two sconces positioned on each side of the painting will also add emphasize. This can be done with any wall hanging: mirrors frames are nice to accent.

Living room: downlights can emphasize an area

For social areas such as the living room you can both soften lighting and gently accentuate an area. For example, adding a couple of down lights in the ceiling over a living room sofa, toned down with dimming options, can cast gentle pools of light. This can accentuate the focus to this area while providing spillover light to the walls and washing the whole room with pleasant light.

Accentuate and decorate a kid's room with string lighting

For kids rooms string lighting can create wonderful accent to a nicely decorated bedroom. You can buy them in shapes and themes such as: submarines, cars, hearts, stars and more. Not only will this add a nice accent and touch; colorful lights can be used at night for children afraid of sleeping in complete darkness.

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Home Lighting Design Ideas For Each Room Of Your Home

By Thad Pickering

Getting the right light fixtures and bulbs for each room of your home can be a challenge, but if you plan it out correctly, they can help you enjoy the time spent at home so much more. Let's take a look at some sample home lighting design ideas for different rooms of a typical home.

For the living room, you'll want to have enough general lighting for such a large space. This general lighting can come from one or more main ceiling fixtures, or perhaps several indirect lighting fixtures that reflect light down from your ceiling and provide soft illumination for the entire room.

However, you will also most likely want to include specific task lighting for certain activities that may be performed in the living room. This could include reading or sewing. Task lighting is usually best accomplished by a floor lamp or table lamp situated right next to the task area, and equipped with a sufficient bulb to prevent eyestrain while performing the task.

Living rooms can also have features like a fireplace, or perhaps a large painting on the wall. Why not install some recessed ceiling lights that are focused on these special features to highlight and bring attention to them?

In the kitchen, sufficient lighting is an absolute must to be able to safely cook and prepare food. Most likely a large ceiling fixture, perhaps equipped with energy efficient florescent tubes will do well to supply the overall general lighting for the room. But then consider installing strip lights underneath your cabinets that will clearly light up your countertops and work areas. And perhaps a few recessed lights in the ceiling can focus even more light on your sink area and range. Generally speaking, the more specific task lighting you can have in a kitchen, the better.

Bathrooms have their own specific lighting needs, including a recessed downlight in the ceiling over your shower or tub area. But perhaps the most common area for lighting fixtures in a bathroom is around the mirror. Here's where you want really soft and gentle lighting that leaves no shadows under your eyes, nose, and chin. Very often this is accomplished with lighting strips on each side of the mirror that contained several small wattage bulbs. Many people find that soft white fluorescent bulbs seem to work best in this area.

In the bedroom a general lighting fixture is very useful for illumination of the entire room. But then installing specific task lighting at the dressing table area can be very beneficial too. And recessed lighting on the ceiling placed on a dimmer switch can be used very effectively to set a romantic mood whenever you desire.

Hopefully these home lighting design ideas and suggestions can help you think about how you can better focus the available light in your home from room to room in the future.

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Bedroom Lighting Thumb Rules To Create A Mood In The Bedroom

By Shrinivas Vaidya

Light in any space can be categorized into two types 1) Natural and 2) Artificial. During daytime the Sun provides much of the lighting inside various spaces. In order to create a mood in your bedroom, you will have to follow two simple rules

1) Obstruct the light using a colored object
2) Using Colored surface on which the light falls.

If you use any one of the above mentioned rules, you will end up in a much different and quality atmosphere in your bedroom. Let's see in more detail how to do this.

1) Obstruct the light using a colored object.

This is really simple to understand. If the direct sunlight or the artificial light coming from an electric bulb is obstructed using colored paper or glass the entire bedroom will have a colored atmosphere around thus creating a mood. However care should be taken while choosing the shade of this color. Other wise instead of creating a soothing and pleasant space it can lead to more vibrant look creating discomfort.

A lampshade is based on this same principle. Lampshade serves two purposes, of cutting-off the harsh light from the source of the light (eg. bulb) and creating a focal point because of its shape.

To achieve such kind of mood a creative use of curtains can create best results. Also sunlight in your area is not harsh then use of stained glass in selected window panes also created interesting color and shadow patterns inside the bedroom.

2) Using Colored surface on which the light falls.

This is a little tricky to understand. When a bulb is lit or the sunlight falls on any surface it gets reflected elsewhere in the room. the amount that gets reflected largely depends upon the surface quality of the wall and its color. this principle ca be used to create a mood in the bedroom.

The wall that directly receives harsh sunlight ca be treated with soothing colors and glossy finish to maximize the light reflection on other surfaces. Again too much glossiness can cause glare which can create discomfort.

Another example is to use a crystal chandelier with one or multiple lights. Since these are mostly made of glass can easily reflect or transmit light trough them creating patters of light on the bedroom ceiling. A crystal chandelier is mostly used in the oriental bedroom design theme.

Such type of lighting is termed as "indirect lighting" and can be very effective for large bedrooms with narrow frontages.

I hope these words will help you to generate more creative lighting ideas.

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Tips on Outdoor Deck Lighting

Chris Vorelli

Tips to help you get the most out of your deck lighting

When the summer months roll around, it's time to pull out the barbeque and start having those outdoor deck and patio get togethers. Decks are most likely to be in the dark evening hours, so it's important to have adequate light, as well as the right types of lighting and illumination in place for these situations. Deck and patio lighting will not only light up this space but it can add to the security around the exterior of your home in late hours. I have complied some useful tips to help you get the most out of your outdoor deck area.

First off it's important to provide accent and task lighting but, at the same time don't over illuminate the area so it looks like a football field big no, no! Don't light up the area like a Christmas tree, it looks cheesy, you want to provide enough light but don't overdo it.

When it comes to stairs you want light, you need to see the steps, the last thing you want is your guests falling down the stairs.

Avoid glare from the deck lighting or outdoor lighting fixtures, glare is the enemy of any lighting installation, try to hide the light source and use indirect lighting as much as possible. Another tips is to hide the light source, this gives your lighting installation a more professional look, you want to see the light, but need the lighting source.

If you have a certain plant or area that you want to focus on, you can use the moon lighting effect to achieve a soft but bright glow. This technique will give the plant a natural moonlight glow, giving your lighting installation a professional feel.

There are many types outdoor deck lighting from, step lights, path lights, pendants and outdoor wall lights to name a few. Styles range from traditional (wrought iron) to contemporary (brushed stainless steel). Try to give a complete look and feel to your deck area, or any room in your home for that matter. I recommend that you don't mix and match design styles it will make the deck look less than professional.

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Low Voltage or Solar Outdoor Lighting

Johnny Shaw

The efficiency of the solar panels including the reduction in their size coupled with the quality of the batteries they charge and the length of time they last has made the purchase of solar lights very economical.

The Old Way

Once upon a time if you wanted outdoor lights, you had to assemble the lights, dig ditches, run wires, find and outlet for the transformer(these were low voltage systems using 12 volts), connect the light connections to the main cable, cover the ditches and set back to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Assembling the lights could be a major effort in some of the less expensive kits. The tolerances allowed are great and the manufacturers take advantage of this. Then you need to have the strength of Hercules to attach the wiring system Solar Outdoor lighting has made improvements by leaps and bounds over the last decade. Digging the ditch can be an affair if you have a tight soil. If there was a sidewalk or driveway involved, then the work had just begun, trying to get your main cable across these obstacles. They worked great until the bulbs started getting older, then they would fade a little, burn out or their connection would corrode and need occasional cleaning and reinserting. Looking for a bad connection can and does require a lot of time and effort on the do-it yourselfer.

The New Way

In the beginning, solar lighting only had one color. This was a bluish white which looked very artificial. They have evolved and include an amber color which is less artificial looking and more pleasing to the observer. They still are available in the original color for the person who likes that effect.

They can be purchased individually or in sets. If you only want to light up a feature in your yard such as a tree or a corner of your house, you can purchase the lights singly to do it. But if you want to light up the walk to your front door or the edges of your driveway, you can purchase lights in sets to accomplish this.

Installing outdoor lights has never been easier. All you need to do is decide where you want to install a light, stick it in the ground and you are done. If you decide you don’t like that location, just pull it up and move it. No new wiring to run or move. No timer to set and no difficult connections to worry about.

Overall

For the person with a lot of time to spend on installing all the components involved with the old system and the maintenance they require, they are less expensive and dependable to a point. For the person who is busy and likes instant gratification, is not exactly sure where they want to install lights and may want to change the location of their lights to gain different effects Psychology Articles, solar lights are the way to go.

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Chandelier Lighting

Jennifer Bailey

Interior designers are unanimous on one thing: gone are the days when lights were meant only for illumination. These days, mood lighting is much more in vogue, and chandeliers, as well as light fixtures are well suited for this purpose. Mood lighting is a relatively new concept in interior decoration, and it means creating a particular ambience with light. This can be achieved by varying the color of the light, its intensity or the look of the lamp.

These days, more often than not, creating a mood, rather than illumination has become the primary purpose of chandelier lighting. The type of the chandelier and the nature of lighting used in it, play a deciding role in how the mood is created.

For instance, the \"party animal\" can have a sleek, gleaming steel chandelier fitted with psychedelic lights that would go well with his nature. The same steel chandelier but with muted lighting will be the choice of the introvert.

For those who prefer a traditional look in their homes, a five-arm ornamental chandelier in iron would secure the look. This type of chandelier has a stately look about it and can also be used at formal dinners. Crystal chandeliers possess a conventional and opulent look. They are elegant and exude an aura of aristocracy. If you want a soft romantic look, nothing can beat a candle chandelier, given that candles themselves look warm and inviting.

Robust-looking antler chandeliers are more in tune with the outdoor-type person, a gamesman perhaps. Then, you have the rustic-looking wrought iron chandelier, and, coupled with candle lighting, you have a period piece in your hands.

The possibilities are immense with the chandelier. With little variations in the type of lighting and in the make of the chandelier itselfComputer Technology Articles, drastic changes can be made to the look of the room and the mood you want to project.

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Getting Up to Speed with Landscape Lighting!

If you want to bring out the very best in your garden this summer consider your outdoor lighting. While it’s important that exterior areas such as those areas directly outside the home in both front and backyard have fixtures to provide lighting for visibility and security (homeowners can choose from a wide range of exterior fixtures such as wall mounts, post lights); it is also a great idea to incorporate lighting into the garden. If you are thinking about doing so, remember that there are a number of options to consider.

Choices in Landscape Lighting:

Basically, there are three ways to add lighting to your garden: line voltage, low voltage and solar. And, for most homeowners, especially the do-it-yourself kind, the final 2, low voltage and solar, are, in most cases the best choices. Why? Both can be installed quickly and safely, without risk of electric shock. These lighting types are also low or no energy consumers. As far as lighting options go, with a low voltage system you can accent or create visibility lights to decks, pathways, stairs, and garden beds. You can do the same with solar fixtures; however, there may be less choice.

Garden Lighting Tip:

Keep in mind that you’re not lighting up a ball park at night and that excessive lighting can disturb your neighbor. Design your garden with lighting in a careful manner. Use fixtures to provide safety and visibility along paths and in areas of circulation and add other lights to gently highlight a small area, focal point, beautiful tree or shrub.

Results:

Imagine enjoying views of the garden at night during any season. When warmer weather arrives, a carefully lit garden can be as inviting for evening pleasures as any spot within your home. Fixtures such as pathway lights and lanterns can mark a strolling path and along the way, a beautiful tree is lit from below, casting interesting shadowing. There is so much that can be done to enhance and highlight the garden at night. Take a look at the selection of fixtures available and determine which form of lighting (solarFree Reprint Articles, low voltage) you prefer.

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Cutting Through The Dark: Advantages of Outdoor Lighting

Richard Cussons

Advantages of Outdoor Lighting: There always comes a time when you want to enjoy the backyard without having to learn every light in the house on to cast glimmers on the grass. Of course, you do not just want to sit in the dark (actually seeing who you are speaking with is always helpful). So you need to purchase some outdoor lighting. There are multiple fixtures in multiple styles to offer you the ultimate illumination for your yard. Is outdoor lighting just for those few nights you decide to enjoy the outdoors? No, there are actually some very practical uses for it.

One: being able to see everything. Whether you are stepping out for a casual stroll around the yard, or are just peeking through the windows to check on a noise, you should always been able to see what is around you. Accidents or trouble can happen, even in your own yard. That noise may have been from a potential burglar, or that stroll can turn awful when you mistakenly step on your child's toy and trip. You need outdoor lighting to make your yard a safer place.

Two: stay out late. Why should an evening party end before the evening does? Why should you have to pack up everything at dusk? With outdoor lighting, you can stay out as long as you want, enjoying the night. Outdoor lighting can cast the perfect glow on that evening barbecue or casual family gathering.

Three: protection. Thieves are less likely to approach a home that is well-lit. This includes, of course, the backyard. Why just leave a few lights on in the house when you can keep them from entering the yard? Or, with motion sensors, alert yourself to any changes. The light pops on and you know someone is snooping around. This adds a higher level of security to any home.

Four: looks. If you are trying to add some extra 'oomph' to your yard, then consider purchasing outdoor lighting. Not only is it a practical way to keep your backyard lit, but it also adds extra appeal. You should not just rely on the grass to make your home presentable. Add some extra flair with different forms of outdoor lighting. They make excellent accessories and can be placed just about anywhere to create a stunning new look for your yard and your home.

Outdoor lighting is the rare product that is both practical and fashionable; few things actually combine style and substance, but outdoor lighting does, allowing you to create a beautiful yard that is also safe. Outdoor lighting provides the right function with the right look--you could not ask for more. And, with the variety of styles, you are sure to find outdoor lighting that matches your personality and taste, letting you create a backyard that is the ultimate reflection of who you are.

Actually enjoy those evening hours! Purchase outdoor lighting today and see what times you can have in the nightArticle Search, but not in the dark.

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A Guide To Wall Lighting Fixtures

By Michael Russell

You came home one day tired from a day's work. When you opened the door, you were greeted by this romantic, subdued lighting and a smell of vanilla in the air. You were intrigued, you continued into the living room and on the table you saw a card, you opened it and it said Happy Anniversary! It is from your partner.

Lighting can dramatically affect and influence any given situation. That's why there are different types of lighting fixtures that can help you achieve a mood you want to create. Wall lighting fixtures are an essential part of establishing the mood and creating the ambiance of a room. Sconces, swivel-arms, wall cans and make-up lights are some of the most widely used wall lighting fixtures.

Sconces are wall fixtures that are based upon lighting fixtures that held candles or torches during the days of castles and palaces. Today, sconces come in both traditional and contemporary designs. There are designs which require lampshades; others cast light in all direction, still others cast light either up or down. Usually placed in pairs, sconces flank doors, windows, paintings and even the breast of a fireplace. These can also be placed over a pair of chairs. When doing so, each sconce should be centered directly over the chair. A tall narrow piece of furniture, such as a high boy, a tall secretary desk, or a grand father clock, may be flanked with a pair of sconces. A sconce is usually placed 5'6" from the floor, although it may vary depending on the specific requirement of the job. Low level lighting is usually recommended for this type of wall fixture.

Swivel-Arm wall fixtures are task lamps. These are usually the lamps you see with extended arms which swings about in any direction and provides illumination for specific activities like reading in bed or sitting in a chair, working at a desk or when playing cards at a table.

A wall can light is another type of a wall light fixture which functions as a task light similar to a swivel armed fixture. Previously, table lamps were used as task lights in the bedroom. These provide individual lights for the occupants and were placed on each of the night tables. Today, wall can lights are more often used to provide the same function as the table lamp but at the same time free the tabletops for other accessories like telephones, clocks, radios, TV controls and other paraphernalia.

Make up lights are usually incandescent bulbs outlining a mirror. A highly directional light that casts unpleasant shadows should be avoided when lighting a make-up table, a vanity or a bathroom mirror. A directional light is usually created by a ceiling light with a strong downlight shine. A make-up mirror casts a broad shadowless light. So, when you are renovating your home, don't forget to add some wall fixtures for mood and ambient lighting.

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Buying A Candle Wall Sconce – Learn What To Look For

By Peter Clark

A candle wall sconce is one of the lighting accessories you will find in all lighting stores. Sconces attach to the wall of any room and hold one or more candles of varying sizes. For example, you can have a candle wall sconce made from wrought iron that holds three or four votive candles. You can also have a candle wall sconce that looks like an old-fashioned oil lamp.

Contemporary candle sconces are made or brass, pewter, Tiffany glass and some are made of plastic. Each candle wall sconce has a plate that attaches to the wall, while not holding the candleholder close to the wall. When you light the candle, the flame is not near the wall, so you don’t have to worry that it could cause a fire. The wrought iron tealight candle holder sconce is a work of art and you can get this type of wall sconce in many different designs. There are wrought iron sconces with intricate carvings and shaped to look like harps and angels.

When you use candle wall sconces to decorate your home, guests will ask the name of your interior decorator. That is because accentuating a room with a candle wall sconce has become the decorating theme for contemporary homes. While the home is modern, the décor is a throwback to long ago times when every home had a wrought iron tealight candle holder sconce on the wall. You can also get these wrought iron candle holders that hold votive candles, taper and pillar candles.

A candle wall sconce is the perfect way to add accent lighting to any room of the home. If you have candle wall sconces mounted on either side of a picture or a tapestry on the wall, it will really show off the artwork to its best effect. The range of wall sconces that you can get is awesome and you may need some time to choose the one that best suits your décor. Take a look at the wrought iron triple French pillar that holds three round pillar candles. If you prefer smaller candles, the wrought iron tealight candle holder sconce might be more to your liking.

If you really want to see what is available in candle wall sconces, try an online search. The Internet is your best source of a wrought iron, brass or pewter candle wall sconce. With the many retailers with online catalogs, you can browse at your leisure and take as long as you like. No one will bother you and try to sell you anything and when you place an order for a candle wall sconce, it will be shipped right to your door. How much easier can it get than that?

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Wall Sconces - Everything You Want or Need to Know

By Pamela Tice

The use of wall scones in home décor dates back to prehistoric times when it is believed that an outcropping of stone in a cave dwelling presented a great opportunity for the placement of an archaic bowl of animal fat equipped with an equally archaic wick. Through the years, wall sconces experienced a few changes but the basic design stayed pretty much the same. From candles to hurricane lamps to gaslight to electrical bulbs and electric candles, wall sconces have remained an extremely popular home lighting option. The reason why wall sconces have been so popular in the past and remain so today is that they can be placed on the wall, which frees up floor space, and they cast a greater spread of light than other lower lighting sources such as table and floor lamps. For this reason, wall sconces are a great way to brighten up small spaces such as entryways, hallways and bathrooms.

Today you can find wall sconces to compliment any style of décor. No matter whether you prefer the Old World styles of yesterday or prefer a modern Contemporary flair, there is a style of wall sconce to perfectly accent your individual tastes and decorating style. You can also choose from many types of wall sconces including candle sconces, electric bulb sconces and electric candle wall sconces. Once you choose the wall sconces that are perfect for your interior space, it is very important to consider their placement. A poorly placed wall sconce is glaringly noticeable and will not achieve the desired lighting effect. In fact, a painful eyeful of blinding white light from a poorly placed wall sconce may turn off your visitors to your entire décor.

To ensure the proper placement of your wall sconces, follow these few simple steps for placement.

While most experts recommend placing wall sconces five feet above the floor and ten feet apart, others say that wall sconces should be placed much higher, like 5 ½ to six feet, especially in rooms with high or vaulted ceilings.

When choosing the height to place your wall sconces, you should also consider the height of the people who live in your home and the height of those who are likely to visit. If you have an extremely tall family, you may have to place your wall sconces a little higher than most to avoid blinding everyone.

Wall sconces should be placed where they can best highlight other points of interest in a room and not overpower them. You should also take into consideration your furnishings and seating areas when deciding where to place your wall sconces. Make sure that the wall sconces add to the atmosphere and experience of your room not detract from it. When placing wall sconces in an area such as a hallway, make sure that your sconce layout is balanced. You can do this by placing wall sconces 8 to 10 feet apart in a staggered pattern for the length of your hallway.

Wall sconces can be a beautiful addition to any décor, but they can also detract from your décor if not used properly. By taking a few extra minutes to consider the placement of your wall sconces, you can be sure that the addition of these lighting fixtures to your home will have a stunning effect.

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Halogen Lighting Fixtures

By Jason Gluckman

Halogen lighting fixtures have improved over the past few years. They are the preferred lighting option where high light quality or precise light focusing is needed.

Halogen lighting fixtures are available in a wide range and are used for a variety of applications. These applications include cable lighting, picture lighting, display lighting, lower-level lighting, track lighting, and fixtures. Halogen bulbs are a form of radiant lamp bulbs that contain halogen gases that increase the efficacy of the bulb but they are pricier to buy when compared to regular radiant bulbs. They can be either tubular or low voltage bulbs. Low power halogen lamps are not low energy lamps. Halogen lamps are not as efficient as fluorescent lamps but are slightly more efficient than normal bulbs of the same wattage. They are most appropriate in certain situations due to their tight focusing feature like for bringing art alive or lighting over a small area. A halogen lamp is actually a specific type of incandescent lamp, often featuring a parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR), which improves light focus. Halogen lighting fixtures give off a very bright white light, and they maintain their light output over time.

Halogen lights are used for "down-lighting." Down lights provide a bright pool of light in a different way than general lighting does. They are normally used to highlight corner pieces of plants. Halogen lights should be fixed with lower wattage and more efficient bulbs. Efficient 35W halogen lamps are available that produce as much light as a standard 50W lamp.

Halogen cable light system and halogen track lights, which are easy to install and require no professionals for installation, are also available. These fixtures are easily interchangeable. Halogen lighting fixtures need to be changed less often than incandescent fixtures and can be dimmed easily. They have a superior beam control that allows light to be carefully focused. The difficulty with halogen fixtures is that the light can be too bright for living rooms and they can become very hot and should not be left unattended for long periods of time.

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Where to Buy Lighting Fixtures

By Jason Gluckman

In the same manner in which jewelry compliments attire, light fixtures accentuate a room and create a definite mood. Lighting fixtures, other than lighting a space, add safety, comfort and a sense of drama. Lighting fixtures are essential to make the most of any space. They are one of the first things that need to be installed when building or renovating a home. Light fixtures are an indispensable part of every home, office, restaurant, recreation center and art studio. Selecting the most appropriate lighting fixture for a home can sometimes become a daunting task. A lighting fixture must be purchased in accordance to its estimated application. The general or ambient lighting illuminates an entire room. Task lighting helps with focusing while reading, sewing or cooking. The third type is accent lighting, which spotlights decorative objects.

Lighting fixtures can be bought from any home decorative store. They specialize in the various designs, shapes and colors of light fixtures. It is advisable to take an interior decorator along, while choosing light fixtures. There are many companies that have realized the potential of online shopping. They have begun to sell light fixtures on the Internet, at cheap and discounted prices. Rumors have it that most of the online vending companies defraud their customers by providing inferior quality goods. Contrary to this, they have strict quality control checks and ask the customer to make the payment when he receives it and is thoroughly satisfied with the product. Online buying gives the customer a wide array of light fixtures to choose from. A person may have the light fixture custom made to suit his specific need and requirement.

Lighting fixtures can be installed according to the instruction manual provided. However, it is a better option to do it under the supervision of a professional or simply hire a professional to handle the installation.

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Bathroom Lighting and Home Decor Accessory Ideas

By Amy-Jo Strutt

You are in the market for the ideal new set of bathroom lighting features and are not quite sure exactly what you want. Well you definitely have come to the right spot. Bathroom accessories is exactly what we are here to provide you with. We offers a wide variety of vanity lights, bath bars and mirror lights ranging from the contemporary bath lights to traditional bath lights. You will without hesitation be able to come up with some incredible idea's on how you want to dress up that all important room. Often the hardest part is getting started.

Bathroom accessories is a broad term used to refer to all those small but important things, which you use daily in your bathroom. Quite often people think that accessories are just an unnecessary addition, it’s not so. Accessories today are a great way to add instant beauty to your bathroom and change the look in a few short minutes. You can add lots of stuff to really flange up this area. With today's modern design , lighting and fixtures you will definitely be amazed at what your creativity can bring you.

Every little thing like the faucets, lightning, bath rugs can become significant in creating just the right bathroom for you. The trick to putting any bathroom together is to start with a theme or design and stick with it all the way through. There are a variety of different sized and shaped bathroom lighting that you can choose from. Your selection will depend entirely on your tastes and the size of your bathroom.

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Chandelier Lamp Shades

By Jennifer Bailey

There are robust-looking chandeliers in wrought iron, crystal chandeliers that are simply drop-dead gorgeous, and candle chandeliers that ooze romance. And lampshade chandeliers are dainty, pretty things. The chandelier frame is a pretty massive, with lampshades that are attached to the top. So it is obvious that this type of chandelier is meant for a large room.

The advantage of a lampshade chandelier is that a dazzling array of moods and designs may be created just by changing the shades. There is no need to dismantle the entire chandelier frame and revamp it. Also, a lampshade chandelier can be readily assembled at home.

In case of such chandeliers, the frame is usually a simple one, mostly made of wood or iron, since it is of no use to have an ornate frame that is going to be hidden by the overhanging shades. It is the type of lampshade being used that determines the look of the chandelier. The shade can be in the shape of the regular cone, a bell or circular like the Chinese-styled lampshades; it can be made of virtually anything ranging from handmade paper, silk, beads or a simple printed fabric. The lampshade may be in some sort of color, so that instead of a clear light you can have a light that diffuses a tinted glow. This can be your choice if you want mood lighting rather than incandescence.

The lampshade can be made to match the furnishings of the room so that in addition to a chandelier that is attuned to the mood of the room, you also have one that is color coordinated with the rest of the room. In fact, this is the only type of chandelier where you can coordinate so easily. When it comes to versatility, the lampshade chandelier is much more successful than other types of chandeliers.

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An Easy Living Room Interior Decorating Plan

By Lee Dobbins

When you are into redecorating and making your home look nice, you probably love to change your living room interior decorating theme often. To make this easier, it is important to have a simple plan to follow each time you feel like changing everything around. Here’s some tips on how to build your décor so you can change it at any time, without having to spend a bundle of money.

Backdrop

If you want to change the look of your living room a lot then you need to start with a neutral palate. You don’t have to keep all of the walls white and the couch cream colored, but you should keep everything pretty neutral. You can choose browns or greens if you want color, but avoid anything to bright or flashy. As long as you stay away from patterns however, you should be able to have several different choices for your décor.

If you keep the big things like furniture, walls and flooring in neutral tones, you’ll be able to change out the theme of your living room interior décor by adding accessories like rugs, pillows and wall art in the colors that you want. Another great ideas for sofas and chairs is to buy slipcovers - you can actually buy furniture that is meant to be slip covered, then simply get new slipcovers to go with whatever decorating plan you have in mind for the season!

Accessories

When you have a neutral palate to work with, you can change the way your room looks just by replacing a few basic items. For instance, you should only need to change your curtains, pillows, and a few room accessories when you get the urge to switch things around. If you want your living room interior decorating to be a little lighter for spring, you can add sheer curtains, flowered pillows, and a vase of fresh flowers for a quick change.

For a warm winter look, bring in deep reds, golds and greens in heavy fabrics like velvets and chenille’s. try some oriental rugs on the floor and oil paintings on the walls. Adding some candelabras and candleholders around the room will help to give it a cozy look.

Lighting

While track lighting and chandeliers can’t be changed easily, you can change out your lighting to go with your living room interior decorating plan. You can buy all new lights, or use lights that have neutral bases and change the shades out depending on the look you are going for. Need a fresh look for spring? Use plain white shades. Going for a safari look? Get shades in an animal print. How about a romantic look? Try putting on shades that have a floral print with some dangly fringe. You’ll be surprised how much changing the shades can transform a lamp.

If you love to keep your living room interior decorating plan flexible, you must be sure you never commit to something difficult to work with, such as a patterned couch or a bright chair. Don’t be afraid of color, but add it to your room with accessories that can be replaced when you want something a little different. It really doesn’t take a lot of money to get a new look, just a little creativity.

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How To Use Lighting In Living Room To Create A Mood

By Shrinivas Vaidya

A typical home plan consists of various kinds of spaces categorized as per their primary function. A living room is amongst the most important spaces in any home. It is a room with maximum area in plan.

In spite of variations in shape, size and volume of living rooms depending upon design of each, one thing is common for all kind of living rooms and that's their need to have an inviting nature.

This kind of inviting nature can be achieved by using some easy design principles such as use of bright colors. If lighting is used with these colors then a very magical play of colors can be used enhance the living room space.

Lighting primarily is categorized in two types 1) Natural lighting (Direct sunlight) and 2) Artificial lighting.

1) Natural Direct Sunlight.

Natural light received from the Sun is the most obvious and healthy source of light we receive during daytime. Though the intensity and quantity of sunlight coming inside the space can be controlled using diffused glasses or curtains on windows.

When the direct sunlight falls on the inside walls the color of the walls temporarily changes to a mixture of sunlight plus the original wall shade. This particular phenomenon can be use to our advantage. By finding out the wall that received direct sunlight and painting that wall with bright color a beautiful diffused and "reflected light" can be created absolutely free. This "reflected light" will help in creating an ambience in the living room.

Also shadow patterns on this wall will add to some extra excitement if used creatively.

2) Artificial Lighting.

Artificial lighting is a wide area of study of interior designers. Unlike sunlight in this type of lighting every aspect of light, right from its color to it's intensity or even it's area of spreading can be controlled with various controls.

Also depending upon the requirement of the living room space a single or multiple number of lights of various intensities can be used.

But for creating a "moody" environment lights are used in specific areas of the living room such as ceiling corners or along the edge of the room. In creating a mood it is necessary to hide the light source and only show its effect. By hiding the light source using a "false ceiling" and projecting the light on bright colored ceiling panels such kind of mood can be created.

In some cases spot lights are also used to bring attention to specific areas of the living room such as the loop created by sofa sets around the TV unit. Corner end tables that come with a living room set are good for creating a platform for decorative lampshades that will lit the entire sofa set area for some extra lighting.

There are numerous more ideas and methods you can use to add some extra attention in the living room. I am sure this article will help you to generate more creative ideas of your own to decorative a wonderful living room.

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The Natural Vs Artificial Living Room Lighting

By Shrinivas Vaidya

One of the most common elements in a living room is a television, and one of the most common problems with the television is keeping it dark enough in the room to watch. With the advancement of plasma, digital light processing, and LCD televisions, living rooms are having to become darker, and darker. When I first purchased my 42 inch plasma television for my bedroom, I was overjoyed at the picture, but felt less excited the next morning when the sun in my room nearly destroyed my ability to view this amazing T.V. For those that think lighting in a living room isn't important, hopefully the example of my plasma T.V. will serve as a reminder to how important lighting is in a room.

There are two types of lighting when dealing with living room lighting issues, natural, and artificial. Natural lighting is the preferred choice for many outdoors types, while artificial often is the choice for the gadget-oriented type. Natural light serves well for reading a book, or illuminating a room for conversation, while it can be cumbersome to trying to view a computer screen, or television.

Natural light is best achieved through placement of windows, skylights, and doorways, in other words things you might not be able to control in a living room. The best way to handle living room lighting is to manipulate the existing natural light in a way that you want. Simply evaluate the amount of natural light coming into your living room, and buy curtains, or window coverings to shade whatever element you are dealing with. For some, the natural light is a must have, and thus the windows stay unobstructed for the entire day.

Artificial light is anything but natural light, and is often utilized in new age forms like track lighting, and halogen bulbs. The living room lighting fixtures that fit your area the best simply will be the ones that design, and function wise hold up to your needs. Since technology has helped create a number of environmentally safe bulbs for artificial lighting, make sure you include them in your living room lighting plan.

Whether choosing to light your room naturally, or artificially, simply take notice, and take action. One can preempt the biggest issues with natural light by evaluating the situation before moving into a place. If you aren't big on natural light, it might not make sense to move into that high-rise loft, that has 12 foot windows throughout the space. Conversely, if you are looking for artificial lighting, make sure the electrical foundation of a house is strong enough to install the new track lighting system of your dreams in the living room. If you're moving into a home that was built in 1903, chances are you'll need a licensed contractor to fix your problem.

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Living Room Lighting

By Tracey Aldous

Lighting plans for a living area or family room must always take in to account what activities will occur there. Most people will want to include general lighting for watching television and entertaining, accent lighting for artwork, plants and interesting architectural aspects and task lighting for reading or sewing.

For ambience in the living room, use a combination of overhead light fittings, table lamps, floor standing lamps and wall mounted fittings. For an increased level of ambient light, use translucent shades on table lamps instead of opaque.

Small living rooms can be made to feel bigger by lighting an entire wall. This can be done by using recessed light fittings that are mounted on the ceiling. They will need to be and equal distance from the wall and each other to get the best effect. This idea can also be used to highlight walls with interesting textures or features.

Brick or stone fireplaces can be emphasised by installing recessed downlights in the ceiling above the mantle creating a charming grazing effect across the surface. The use of wall sconces on either side of the fireplace will draw attention to the area as well as providing general lighting for the living room.

Task lighting can be accomplished by placing a floor standing lamp either side of the reading chair. The light should come from behind the reader’s shoulder and the bottom of the shade should be located at eye level to avoid glare.

Paintings can be highlighted with low voltage halogen picture lights. They are usually frame mounted and provide bright, white light across the painting.

Large houseplants can be accented by using up-lighting floor lights behind the plant, creating a silhouetted feature which will brighten up any dull corner.

Glass cabinets with collectables make a sparkly feature to any living room when the right type of lighting is used. For the best effect try using recessed adjustable light fittings with low voltage halogen light bulbs.

To make your living room seem larger, carry the atmosphere outdoors by lighting gardens, shrubbery and water features that are visible from the windows in the room.

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Outdoor Lights

When discussing outdoor lights it is important to realize that wattage and size requirements tend to vary, this depends upon the purpose of outdoor lights and where they are to be placed. The most common outdoor lights are streetlights designed and powered to last longer than most other lights. Extensive ranges of gas discharge lamps are also available. They are fluorescent lights and neon lamps. The most commonly used outdoor lights are sulfur lights. They are extremely powerful and cannot be used for home lighting. They get very warm and radiate heat after a few hours of being lit. Apart from this, these lights do not emit an entirely white light. Sulfur outdoor lights are usually a bright violet when turned on and eventually radiate an orange light.

Outdoor lights need to be placed under the protection of fixtures and special shades. For this reason, most lights used for public utility are enclosed in special cases that prolong their longevity. These lights are protected, as they would cease to function due to exposure to the elements. This includes the sun, rain, precipitation, and snow. Outdoor lights that are used upon the pavement and parks are not installed at heights similar to streetlights.

When contemplating outdoor light deals for use in the garden and backyard it is important to find varieties and designs that serve the purpose. Outdoor lights that are needed for a home are usually medium sized and radiate a white light. They need to be fitted with compatible fixtures that help reflect maximum light and should be installed in such a way that the light they radiate covers the maximum area. Most outdoor lights are available in medium and low watts. This is important as a number of people consider them wastage of electricity. They are often valued for their decorative outlook rather than utility. For this reason, many prefer outdoor lights with low wattage as they serve their purpose and help conserve electricity and contain bills.

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Transform Landscaping with Outdoor Lighting

Typically, outdoor lighting focuses on focal points in the yard, though it can also be used as security lighting. Bill Locklin, owner of Nightscaping, the preeminent outdoor lighting company, suggests using 12-volt outdoor lighting to bring out the features of large trees, specimen plants, architecture, and water features. His suggestions include the following:

Large Trees: If the tree has open growth, let the light spill down through the leaves and branches, creating interesting shapes and contrasts in highlight and shadow. If the tree has full foliage, like some pines, try cross lighting or using a grazing light. If your focal point tree has an interesting bark texture, try grazing it to accent this feature and add a greater element of visual interest.

Specimen Plants: Consider hanging plants as well as ground plantings for focal point lighting. Try to throw shadows of smaller plants on walls and other surfaces for added effect. Bonsai plants are very effective when silhouetted to accent their unique shapes.

Architecture: Look at decorative construction techniques in masonry and wood facades. For example, place fixtures at the bottom of the gables and project the light up from each side so that it meets at the tip of the peak, or place two fixtures under the peak and aim them down to the lower edges. A home's door can be a focal point, as in the case of hand-carved wood, raised wood panels, pr artistic metal designs. Draw attention to the door from overhead, being careful not to cast glare in the eyes of those entering and exiting the building. Likewise, objects in the atrium, such as columns, arches, breezeways, ledges, shutters, cupolas, weather vanes, and seasonal and holiday flags can all be architectural focal points that can have attention drawn by professionally designed outdoor lighting.

Water Features: Fountains, fishponds, and moving streams all lend themselves to the introduction of landscape outdoor lighting. Filtered, crystal clean water can be lighted either from within or from above. Dirty water is usually best lighted from above or used as a reflecting surface to accent surrounding features. Designer fountain lighting can add drama to a yard's fountain.

Outdoor lighting - whether it is path lighting, designer fountain lighting, or security lighting - gives your home another dimension, one to be enjoyed for years to come.

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Outdoor Solar Lighting Ideas

There are several ways to add light to the outside of your home.
1· You can install lighting on the outside of your house
2· You could install lighting where the wiring is buried under the dirt and string lights throughout your garden, walkway, lawn and path
3· You could also buy individual lamps and lights that are outside your house, placed where you need them.
4· There are also solar options, which can be very useful in lighting your home outside without wires and without an additional charge on your monthly electricity bill.

A Few Decorating Ideas

Here are a few ideas for great ways to use the solar rock light to both accentuate your outdoor gardens and to create a soft glow outside your home.

Because it looks like a natural rock, it can fit into your outdoor décor and blend well into any rock garden borders you have around your flowers. You could space out several to create a warm spotlight that points toward your home. Or, angle them so that they point directly toward your door to light the path of anyone who arrives. This type of lighting can be beneficial in helping you easily find the keyhole at night or welcome visitors and enabling them to find the doorbell or doorknocker. Placing your solar rock light so that it positions the light over your house number can be a bonus as well. This looks classy and helps people find your home.

Other Solar Rock Light Benefits

Beyond looking good and lighting your outside, this product has several benefits:
1· Because it is wireless, they are simple and easy to install by anyone
2· The solar function makes this a very energy efficient outdoor lighting option
3· They are weather resistant so work efficiently in rain or snow unlike some outdoor lighting that has to be brought in for the winter
4· They recharge from the daylight as well as the sun. Only a minimal amount of sun is needed to recharge these lights

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Are You Considering Using Landscape Lighting?

What Can Landscape Lighting Do For You?

When it comes to landscaping there are many things which can be done in order to make it look impressive. There are many different features and ideas to try and one thing that is sure to go down well is landscape lights.

The great thing is that there are quite a few different lights which you can get for the landscape in order to cater for everyone’s needs. Also, the great thing about them as well is that they are very easy to install so everyone can enjoy them with no hassle and no fuss.

What Can Landscape Lighting Do For You?

The lights can really help to brighten up any dark areas around the yard and they can also make it easy to see at night whilst you are out in the garden. They also help the landscape to look extremely impressive and it adds that little something extra to the balance. They really are an inexpensive way of adding extra charm and style to any landscape.

Different Types of Landscape Lighting

When it comes to the lighting for the yard area, you will find that it will be powered from two different sources. The first option is that the lights use a line voltage fixture, which will be connected to the power supply from the house. The great thing about this option is that the wires will be underground so they will not be sticking out and causing a safety hazard. You will find that this type will be used for the bigger landscapes and also by people who are experienced with electrics. It is always best to get someone professional to do it if you are not sure yourself on how to do it.

Landscape Lighting Is a Great Idea for entertaining

It is a great idea to add lighting to any landscape and it can come in handy for when the nights draw in. It allows people to stay outside in the warm months and enjoy socialising or relaxing in the garden. They are absolutely great for entertaining and it really does help to make people feel very welcome. Overall you really cannot go wrong with a little landscape lighting.

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Kitchen Lighting Fixtures

By jason Gluckman

Your kitchen is a very important part of your home. Chances are you will spend a lot of time there. Consequently, most people invest a lot of money to make their kitchen beautiful as well as useful.

Kitchen Lighting Fixture Requirements

The lighting requirements for your kitchen are vastly different from the needs of your other rooms. In most cases this design requirement is ignored by people. Most people simply install lighting that will perform the requirements of lighting the room. However, this can be problematic due to the fact that the kitchen is not just a typical room in your home. You can use the kitchen as a place for you to relax, or as a place to entertain your guests. The ultimate goal you must have when choosing the lighting in your kitchen is to make the most out of the space you have, regardless of how you want to use the room.

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Basic Kitchen Lighting Guidelines (2)

By Michael Russell

Let's go a step ahead of the basics. To add character to our kitchens, here are some ideas which may stir the creative artist in you!

1. If you have it, flaunt it! Arrange fine china and other eye-catching display items or unique collections in glass-fronted shelves. Highlight these by backing the cabinets in an exterior window to use the natural light of the sun in highlighting the items or by directing surface mounted halogen lights towards them. Voila! Drama is played wonderfully in your kitchen area!

2. Add focal interest to your eating area. Consider hanging pendant lights on the ceiling above a breakfast nook or dining table.

3. Down light, anyone? If you use the dining table for other purposes such as getting paper works done, having bills organized or as a study area for the kids, you may want to consider installing a down light. It can surely cater to these varied needs!

4. Mix and match it! If you use the kitchen as a family gathering place, a place to entertain guests or for such other purposes, you can elect to mix different kinds of lighting fixtures. Standing lamps and table lamps may be great to provide ample lighting for sitting and reading areas around the kitchen.

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Basic Kitchen Lighting Guidelines (1)

By : Michael Russell

Kitchens are constantly evolving at an unbelievable pace. Modern day kitchens have turned dramatically from a room wherein we prepare our meals to the core of modern family activities

We carry out many different activities in our counters, sinks and stove area. This is the area we use to prepare the ingredients for our sumptuous dinner, wash the dishes and cook our food. Sadly, however, these areas are also the ones which are generally in shadows. So that you can choose the most appropriate lighting for every nook in your kitchen, here are some basic tips which may help you.

1. Task lighting may be needed to be installed in the counter, sink and stove areas to facilitate ease and comfort of doing our tasks. Lighting fixtures should preferably be fitted under the cabinets. The light source should be placed close to the front part of the cabinets and should up to two thirds of the length of the counter. This should give us ample light.

2. If there are no cabinets directly above the counter, pendant fixtures can be considered as the best way to go. A general recommendation is to provide a 60 to 75 watt bulb for every 20 inches of counter space. That will provide you with enough illumination for the task at hand!

3. You may also want to consider installing recessed or surface mounted lights. These are ideally placed 16 to 24 inches apart. Just remember that there should be a constant flow of air around the fixture enclosure to prevent overheating.

4. To illuminate the stove area, you can use a 60 watt bulb for the built-in hood light. If the stove has no hood, you can opt to install a recessed or surface mounted lighting unit over the center of the stove (approximately 15 to 18 inches apart). Either of these options will provide you sufficient lighting for your cooking needs!

5. For the sink area, a pendant lighting centered at about 30 inches above the area can provide the correct lighting requirements.

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Kitchen Lighting Design - The 4 Types Of Lighting You Should Have

By Lee Dobbins

For many people the last thing they will think about when thinking of redecorating their kitchen is the type of kitchen lighting design that they want and normally this the first thing that they will cut from their budget. But if you want your kitchen and function well then good lighting is a must. A good kitchen lighting design plan will blend into the architectural and decorative details of the room.

When it comes to uses lights in a kitchen the most common mistake made by many people is that they try to light the entire room by just using a ceiling mounted fixture. But unfortunately this will results in the room being visually overpowered by the light fixture and even recessed lighting isn’t much better.

Therefore plan for the layered look and kitchen that is well lit will layer and blend 4 different kinds of lights and any kitchen redesign or remodel or new build should include the following:-

1. Task Lighting. This is the workhouse element of kitchen lighting and will provide adequate light for when you are chopping vegetables or reading recipes. The optimum place for such lighting is between a person’s head and the actual work surface (and that is why lighting located below cabinets on the walls are very effective).

2. Ambient Lighting. This will create a warm glow to your kitchen and will fill the room as well as soften shadows and makes those entering the kitchen feeling instantly welcome. If you have cabinets which do not reach up to the ceiling then ambient lighting can be placed there. Of the four kinds of lighting you can include in your kitchen ambient is the most overlooked.

3. Accent Lighting. This will give depth and dimension to any kitchen and accent lighting is those fixtures which are placed inside a glassed front cabinet in order to illuminate the china, glassware or collectibles that are contained within it. Also recessed and adjustable low voltage fixtures used as spotlight art can be used as accent lighting.

4. Decorative Lighting. This type of lighting will add a sparkle to any space.

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Kitchen Remodel Calls for Professional Lighting Opinion

Updating a kitchen is a daunting task of decision-making.

How should it be configured? What cabinets do I want? Countertops? Appliances?

The contractor posing the questions for all these decisions is invariably not a lighting professional. In fact, he or she might not even mention making changes above the cabinet line.

That's a mistake.

Choices you make below the ceiling affect the lighting that is shining down from the ceiling. And it's not just a question of aesthetics.

Changing work surfaces can mean increased glare and reduced visibility in the kitchen, if the lighting isn't right. For instance, installing shiny granite countertops can result in a blinding reflection of glare if the downlighting above the counters aren't just right.

For reasons of safety, utility and beauty, it's a good idea to seek a lighting professional's opinion on your remodel - independent of the general contractor's advice.

You can find a qualified lighting professional in several ways.

Decisions about lighting should be made before electricians come to make any changes to your home, so they can do any necessary rewiring and install outlets, dimmers or lighting controls while they are making changes for appliances.

Lighting professionals can guide you in your choices by asking you how you plan to use the kitchen area - as a party gathering place, for bill-paying and homework, etc. - and determining how best to layer light for your purposes.

When your remodel is finished, you'lll be able to flick a switch or two, and show off your investment in its very best light, to use your new kitchen in the safest way after dark, and to optimize it when you are ready to sell your home.

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Make Your Bathroom Light More Flattering

If you want to look your best in the bathroom mirror, try repositioning the lighting.

Putting lights above the mirror can cast shadows on your face, and these shadows can be less than flattering.

Where would you put lights then?

Try placing lights on the vertical sides of the mirror for a balanced spread of light.

That's how they do it in Hollywood.

And aren't you worth the celebrity treatment?

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Home And Garden Lighting

By Elizabeth Morgan

Previously, outdoor or the gardens were lit to facilitate people to see clearly when entering your home and to avert thieves. Today, landscape lighting is more for aesthetic purposes. Landscape lighting has turned into a work of art. The aim of landscape lighting is to exhibit a garden and a home in its complete splendor after dark. The lighting has its practical aspect and offers a well-lit area to deter thieves. The following are tips for landscape or garden lighting.

It is best to hire the services of a certified lighting consultant who is will give the best advice. Also, study your garden thoroughly before deciding what you would like to highlight using lighting. Make sure that the lighting professional has a copy of your design.

Include outdoor lighting when planning the garden landscape to make it easier to lay wires and pipes. Try and get more than one quote, so that you can compare the prices. Install a big transformer to meet your present and future lighting needs.

If you are thinking about doing the lighting in parts, lay all the electrical groundwork in the initial stages. Try and use soft light that is akin to moonlight. Don’t overdo it. The landscape should be seen, not the lights. Hide the lighting system source behind shrubs and plants.

Make sure the fixtures are not visible. Use water resistant fixtures. Most people tend to favor white light for garden lighting. However, you could try different color variations with the help of a professional. Use fluorescent lights, as are they are less expensive and a lot more effective than incandescent lights.

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Home Lighting Fixtures

By Elizabeth Morgan

Home lighting fixtures are those pieces of hardware and decorative metal that serve to beautify the lighting choices you have made in illuminating your home. They can be of any shape, style, or theme. Since they come in such a wide variety, you’ll be sure to shop around for best prices and best options to suit your taste and budget. There are several varieties of lighting fixtures available. Simply changing the kind of light bulb in your existing fixture can make a big difference. The lighting industry is continually changing and coming up with new variations of light bulbs. It is wise to visit local lighting stores to find out what is available.

Compact fluorescent bulbs and quartz halogen bulbs are a dramatic addition to the marketplace with industrially advanced color renditions.

The basic types of lighting fixtures are track mounted onto walls or ceilings -- best for showcasing focal displays. The cost of these fixtures is moderately expensive. Quartz-halogen and incandescent bulbs go best with these types of fixtures.

Recessed ceiling mounted or "high-hat" are best suited for highlighting pinpoint focal displays while hiding the light source. The cost of these fixtures is expensive and the ideal bulbs are quartz-halogen, incandescent and compact fluorescent.

Wall mounted sconce or a decorative fixture are best suited for lighting up something below the fixture. The cost is moderately expensive and the best bulbs to use are incandescent, quartz-halogen and compact fluorescent.

Exterior ceiling mounts cover a range of fixtures that is best for general illumination. These can be used with all sorts of bulbs depending on the fixture.

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Lighting for Bathrooms and Vanities

By Eric Strandberg

Vanity or mirror lighting is a subject that people are highly critical of, because it affects their own appearance.

Designers in the hospitality industry have (or should have) known this for years. If the customer looks good, they have a more pleasant experience and will want to come back.

Mirror lighting needs to be bright but not glaring, accurate yet flattering, and for public/commercial spaces low maintenance and low power.

There are three considerations for mirror lighting; fixture placement, lamp (or bulb) type, and fixture style.

Placement. The best mirror lighting surrounds the face with light. This provides light from all sides that minimizes shadows under the chin, eyes, cheeks, and forehead.

This does not mean that you have to use 'Hollywood' style lights (those strips that use the round light bulbs). A wall sconce on either side of the mirror can work nicely.

Normally you want the center of the fixture at about 66" above the finished floor and at least 30" apart (these specs will vary according to the particulars of the room and fixture).

If the room has a whole wall mirror you can mount the fixtures right on the mirror. Mounting the fixtures on the mirror requires extra planning and coordination with the electrical contractor and the glass supplier.

Also be aware that some types of fixtures will look better on a mirror than other types (because of the reflections). Avoid using ceiling mounted fixtures as the sole source unless the room is very small with light colored walls. Large bathrooms often need additional lighting besides the mirror lighting.

Definitely don't rely on recessed cans for mirror lighting, the shadows can be horrendous! If a recessed type must be used, consider constructing a luminous soffit with two 4' fluorescent tubes.

The most common placement for mirror lighting is on the wall above the mirror. Though this is not ideal it avoids most conflicts with mirror size, medicine cabinet doors, and room dimensions. However the fixture needs to be long enough to light the sides of the face.

Lamp type. Color qualities, light distribution, and maintenance costs are all heavily dependent on the type of lamp the fixture uses. It is very important to first choose the lamp you want to use and then find a fixture that will hold it properly.

With fluorescent lamps you have choices when it comes to the color properties of the lamp. The two main color properties the specifier should know about are color temperature and color rendering.

Color temperature refers to whether the light source appears cool (bluish) or warm (yellowish) or neutral and is expressed in Kelvins (K). Most light sources used for mirror lighting range from 3,000K (warm) to 4,200K (cool).

Daylight is considered to be 6,500K and sunlight 5,000K (these values change depending on season, latitude and time of day). Skin tones look most flattering in medium to warm color temperatures (<3500K) though some people prefer the cooler colors. Color rendering (expressed as CRI) is another key color quality. CRI is a scale from 0 to 100, the higher the CRI the better. Incandescent and Daylight are considered to be100 Old style fluorescent; "cool white" and "warm white" are 62 and 52 respectively The newer fluorescent tubes (T-8) and compact fluorescents are about 80*. Light distribution is another key element in effective mirror lighting. Even, shadowless light is easiest on the eyes, and fluorescent sources (particularly the large T-8 tubes) are well suited to this task. Spotlights, clear bulbs or small halogens require lots of shielding or diffusion from the fixture for glare control. This will tend to reduce the light level necessitating the use of higher wattages. Fixture Style. When selecting a fixture style choose one that has a translucent lens. If the lens is clear the fixture may be glaring. If it is opaque (metal, ceramic, etc.) it will not pass enough light directly to your face. Be sure that the lens will not change the color of the light (some glass is rather green). Check that the fixture meets your maintenance requirements for relamping, cleaning, and spare parts. Most 'vanity' fixtures are linear and many of them can be mounted horizontally above, or vertically on the sides, of the mirror. If you choose to use wall sconces in small rooms select ones that are narrow, as these will fit best. Maintenance costs include power consumption, lamp cost, and frequency of lamp replacement. Many public/commercial lavatories are illuminated 12 - 24 hours a day and over time these costs far exceed the cost of the fixture itself. For example, at $.05kwh @12hr/day, 2- 100W incandescent fixtures cost $53 per year to operate but 2 - 32watt fluorescents cost $15 per year. In a private residence the maintenance costs may not build as rapidly but they can be significant if the bathroom gets more than 3 hours of use per day.

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Bathroom Fixture Styles in Abundance

So you're looking for a new bathroom fixture?

Good news! More styles vie for your attention than ever before. You might find the decision daunting.

Begin by choosing the styles that most suit your tastes.

Manufacturers show the following style choices:

Architectural
Arts and Crafts
Art Deco
Asian
Casual
Colonial
Contemporary
Country Cottage
Craftsman
Crystal
Early American
Frameless
Iron
Mission
Modern
Old World
Oriental
Primitive
Rustic/Lodge
Southwestern
Themed
Tiffany
Traditional
Tropical
Urban
Victorian
Whimsical
Wrought Iron

Your choices don't stop here, however. When you find the fixture family you want, sometimes you can specify the finish you prefer, such as: brass, pewter, copper, nickel, black, white, and so on.

Do some online browsing to narrow your choices, then visit showrooms to see what your preferred styles look like "in the flesh."

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Pointers for Positioning Wall Sconces

Perhaps it's the glare of exposed light bulbs that captures your attention.

Or something seems just, sort of, off center.

How do you judge where to position these special, decorative lighting fixtures?

A few rules of thumb exist on this issue. Some say they should be five feet above the floor (60 inches) and eight to 10 feet apart.

Others recommend higher placement: between 66 and 72 inches above the floor level.

In rooms with vaulted ceilings, sconces can be placed even higher for dramatic effect. Take the following factors into consideration as you decide where to position your wall sconces:

1) The height of the people who live in your home, and the height of people who might visit.

You don't want the bulb in a sconce to be shooting bright light directly into a guest's face when he or she walks by. So you will want to aim high with the light, or provide a diffuser on the top of the sconce to prevent glare from hitting the eyes of tall people in your home.

2) The height and placement of other points of interest in the room

What else is on the walls of the room? A painting? Photographs? Bookshelves? Plaques or certificates? The sconces should highlight and complement - but not overpower - these points of interest.

3) If in a hallway, sconces should be balanced

They should be placed on either side of the hallway, staggered so that halfway between two sconces on one side (spaced approximately 8 to 10 feet apart) is a sconce on the opposite side.

4) Sconces and furniture around them should be placed to avoid glare.

Placing a favorite reading chair in the wrong spot can shed the wrong kind of light on a reader. Likewise, a quiet conversation spot needs the soothing backdrop of an unobtrusive sconce - not the direct light from its bulb.

To test sconce placement, you might consider having people hold flashlights against the wall in different positions you are considering, to see how your placement ideas work out.

5) What will the sconce look like when you are standing up? Sitting down?

Substitute a silhouetted cutout in the shape of your sconce for the sconce itself, and test placement from sitting and standing positions around the room.

A little trial and error before putting up the sconce will make your ultimate sconce placement a light you're happy to live with.

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Taking Care of Your Chandelier

So you're the proud owner of a chandelier. Now you'll want to take special care to ensure your chandelier lasts a lifetime. For this, you'll need to know about care and maintenance. The following are some tips and tricks to keep your wonderful chandelier shining its brightest.

When to Clean...

Crystal Chandelier need cleaning when the crystal loses its shine and starts looking dull. Clean modern-style chandeliers with glass shades when they begin to look dusty or grimy.

To keep your chandelier clean, dust it lightly every two or three months with a feather duster or wool duster.

Before You Begin...

Be sure you know how your chandelier crystal or glass design goes together before you begin cleaning. We recommend that you:

-Make a quick drawing or diagram of where all the parts go;
-Take a snapshot to get a visual picture; or
-Clean the piece in small sections.

Things to Keep in Mind...

Remember to take care around any electrical fixture and follow basic, common-sense safety precautions. Turn off the chandelier's power at the wall switch and remember to set up a task light nearby so you're not working in the dark!

Don't twirl or rotate any chandelier when cleaning it. Walk or move your ladder around it and clean in sections. When you rotate a chandelier, you stand the chance of loosening the support, which could cause the chandelier or its crystals to fall. Always work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging any of the hanging glass or ornaments.

If the chandelier is hard to get at, it's a good idea to change out all of the bulbs when you are cleaning it.

Tools of the Trade (What You'll Need!)

1. A step ladder is needed to reach the fixture.
2. Pads or a drop cloth should be purchased to go underneath to prevent falling glass or crystal prisms breaking.
3. White gloves and/or soft, lint free cloths.
4. A cleaning solution of one part rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol to three parts distilled water in a spray bottle.

The Cleaning Process

Spritz a small amount of the cleaning solution on a cloth, wipe the crystal or glass, then dry it immediately with another glove or cloth. When in doubt, completely removing the glass or crystal is a safer bet. You'll also be able to better get at the chandelier frame this way.

You can also try hand-washing crystal or glass in lukewarm sudsy water, using a mild dish soap. Rinse immediately in clean water and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Keep It Clean!

Follow the above directions, and your chandelier will have a special radiance all year long!

Content provided by LampsPlus.com.

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Dining Room Lighting Tips & Tricks

Chandeliers should be hung 30 inches above the table to provide sparkle, not glare. Use clear bulbs in crystal or glass chandeliers to enhance sparkle.

Use downlights aimed straight onto the table to reduce glare in diners' eyes.

When combining a chandelier and downlights, place one downlight about 24 inches on either side of the chandelier above the table for even lighting.

Wall sconces are especially effective in dressing up the room and are an excellent way to make a room appear larger. Place the sconces above eye-level so the eye is not distracted by their glow. If the sconce is opaque, use a frosted bulb.

To highlight the crystal in your china cabinet, use a halogen bulb - the bright, white light will bring out its sparkle.

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Flexibility Key to Dining Room Lighting

If the room that was designated for formal dining in your home ever doubles for another purpose, it's a good idea to double-check the lighting to make sure it works for whatever need you have.

It's important not to shortchange your vision in the dining room - particularly if you use it more for these "other" tasks than for its intended purpose.

A dining room with a chandelier alone is unlikely to shed light properly on homework or laptop use.

Sewing projects under the chandelier may also be improperly lit.

To ensure that you're lighting your dining room for all purposes, follow these simple steps:

- Jot down a list of all the ways you have used your dining room, or might use it.

- Identify which uses have been challenging, given your current lighting situation.

- Consider putting your overhead light on a dimmer, if it isn't already, to reduce glare for all tasks.

- Look at options for adding "layers of light" in the dining room. Add movable task lighting where needed, for those uses where you will need an eye on detail. Wall sconces and cove lighting can be installed to offer ambient lighting when the overhead lighting is turned off, and task lighting is turned on.

With these simple steps, you can turn your "dining room" into a multi-purpose room without compromising your night-time vision.

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7 Tips to Improve Your Bathroom Lighting

There are three or four basic types of lighting that should work together to light any room, including a bathroom. They are task lighting, general lighting, accent lighting and lighting that is sometimes called decorative lighting or "sparkle lighting". A good lighting plan combines at least the first three types and sometimes all four types of lighting. This article will focus only on the task lighting in a bathroom. In the bathroom, especially around the vanity mirrors, task lighting is critical. Task lighting can assist in performing specific tasks such applying makeup, shaving, dressing a wound, or performing a manicure.

Tip #1: It is strongly recommended that good task lighting be installed either above the vanity mirror located near the sink or on both sides of the mirror. This is absolutely critical for providing good bathroom task lighting.

Tip #2: It is recommended that the vanity light fixtures installed around the vanity mirror be incandescent or halogen fixtures because this will allow you to easily control the brightness of these fixtures with a dimmer.

Tip #3: Make certain that the vanity light fixtures you select provide more than enough light. One of the simplest techniques that you can use to ensure that you will always have enough light is to "over light" the space and then use dimmers to control the amount of light that you want or need at any given moment.

Tip #4: It is recommended that special neodymium light bulbs be used in the vanity fixtures since they provide excellent light that very closely simulates sunlight. A neodymium light bulb is an incandescent light bulb that has a slight bluish tint to it. The bluish tint, created by a thin coating of neodymium inside the glass envelope, will cause the light bulb to provide less yellowish light like a standard incandescent light bulb and, therefore, be more like the sun.

Tip #5: Recessed downlights should not be used to light your face while standing at a mirror because the light coming from these fixtures will cause too many shadows on your face. Recessed downlights can be used in other parts of the bathroom for general lighting but not for task lighting at the vanity mirror.

Tip #6: Consider installing a small lit concave mirror near the main vanity mirror. The concave curvature of the mirror will magnify what you see in the mirror and the additional light will help improve the lighting for special tasks such as shaving or applying makeup.

Tip #7: An area of bathroom lighting that is often overlooked is the shower, tub, or Jacuzzi. It is suggested that one or two recessed downlights with special shower trims be used to illuminate each of these areas. If the bathroom is already finished, a remodel, recessed housing can be used for this purpose. A shower trim, with a glass diffuser and a special gasket, should be used in these areas. You may want to consider selecting a shower trim with a domed glass diffuser because this shape often gives the most uniform distribution of light.

Always remember that light is the first element of design; without it there is no color, form, or texture.

About the Author
Tom Farin is founder and President of Pegasus Associates Lighting. Dr. Farin has been in the field of lighting for almost 20 years. He has extensive training and experience in lighting, physics, mathematics and education, acquired at the undergraduate level, in graduate school, and in the field.

Choosing Best Light for Reading in Bed

If you want to unwind with a good book before slumber, you'll need to make sure you have adequate reading light.

Relying on the room's overhead fixture alone for bedtime reading is not a good idea, Overhead light does not provide enough brightness on the page for comfortable reading, and it provides too much general room lighting for snooze-readiness.

Consider these options to give you just the right light where you need it:

- Table lamps, if tables are available
- Floor lamps with three-way bulbs
- Swing-arm lamps, placed on the wall or attached to the headboard
- Wall-mounted fixtures placed above the headboard

If you don't sleep alone, look for an option that allows for darkness on the other side of the bed.

For instance, if you choose a wall-mounted fixture above the headboard, it should accommodate two light sources, so that one can be switched off. Preferably, it should have two multi-directional lights, so that they can be positioned away from the sleeping person and directly on the reader's page.

Tips for Lighting a Child's Bedroom

Your child's bedroom should be a safe haven, a place where fun can flow and creativity, too, if your child does homework there.

Lighting a room with so many purposes can be challenging. Parents should select lighting that is most conducive to the different activities children pursue in their rooms.

It will take several layers of lighting to address your child's lighting needs. An overhead or ceiling light on a dimmer is optimal as a starting point. Additional lighting should be placed according to the way the child uses the room.

Homework: If your child has a desk or study area in the bedroom, make sure it is well-lit with task lighting. This lighting shines directly on the work, and should be placed opposite the child's writing hand. For example, a left-handed child would need a desk lamp or a floor lamp that throws light from the right, to avoid shadows where he or she is writing.

If your child has a computer in his or her room, be sure that the lighting used does not create a glare on the screen, since this strains eyesight.

Reading: Where does your child read? In bed? In a chair, with you? Or alone? At his or her desk? Again, task lighting from a table lamp or a floor lamp should be available. The best lighting for this purpose is adjustable, so it moves where your child needs it.

Watching TV/playing video games: If your child has a TV in his or her room, be sure that the lighting does not create glare on the screen. A low level, indirect light is appropriate, so the room isn't in total darkness except for the screen.

Listening to music/soothing activities: A dimmer for an overhead light is a good idea, so the room can be kept at a low level of light for near-bedtime when you are trying to create a soothing, quiet atmosphere.

Sleep: Consider a nightlight, but not one that will shine light near the bed. It should be at the opposite side of the room, and not shining in your child's face--even with his or her eyes closed.

Lighting Control in the Bedroom

Technology is rapidly changing the way we light our homes. Take lighting controls, for example. By shedding the right amount of light on a given space, a wall dimmer lets you control light, reduce wasted electricity and save money. A lighting dimmer control lets you lower or raise light levels, so that they're appropriate to the need.

For example, a bedroom dimmer can be turned down for restful light, then raised to higher intensity when you need to read or get dressed. In a child's bedroom, a dimmer switch can provide low-level light at night for reassurance, then fill the room with light for daytime play. No special wiring is needed for a wall dimmer. It may replace any conventional light switch, although you may have to purchase a specially-rated dimmer switch for ceiling fans.

Additionally, new touch-pad dimmer switches technology now allows people to have a wide range of lighting effects at the touch of a finger, expanding the control and functionality of any living space. Touch-pad lighting controls can be used extensively throughout the home. A lighting control can be installed for decorative wall sconces, recessed and cove lighting, as well as for ceiling fans and fireplaces.

Touch pad controls are versatile, as they can be used in the bedroom as under-floor units. As you step out of bed in the darkness, a preprogrammed sequence switches on pathway lighting to guide you to the bathroom or hallway. These smart lighting controls utilize leading-edge technology tied to a central computer in the home.

Indeed, the future is here today in home lighting with lighting controls, which can be made as unique as each home's owner!

Content provided by LampsPlus.com.

Pendant Lights in Bedrooms

My 12-year old daughter needs a bedroom light. Her room is about 12x14 and has a pretty standard ceiling height - like 8 or 9 feet. I want to put it in the middle of the bedroom. Do you have any suggestions for me?

A drum pendant is the perfect complement to a modern and clean design, the neat look of a drum pendant keeps a room feeling organized - especially important for children, so that they can do schoolwork in a neat and well-lit room. Drum pendant - it will provide plenty of light and be in scale with the room, especially if her bedroom is not too loaded with furniture.

Another pendant light that is well suited for this purpose is tapered pendant. It also will provide plenty of light, but is a bit smaller, which will be useful if there is a lot of high-furniture that effectively shrinks the bedroom's overall footprint.

How to Replace a Lighting Fixture

There will come a time, inevitably, when you will need to replace lighting fixtures. If the globe is broke or cracked, that’s usually a good time to do it. Also, lighting fixture styles go out of fashion. When that happens, you probably want to replace them and update your look. Replacing lighting fixtures is a simple job, but if you’ve never done it then it could seem difficult. You do want to be safe about it.

# The first thing you want to do is go to your electrical service panel and turn the circuit off. Otherwise, you’ll end up being fried chicken before you get your lighting fixtures replaced;
# Be sure to test all the wires with a circuit tester to make sure none of them are hot;
# Determine if your lighting fixture is self-enclosed or if the bulb is exposed;
# If the bulb is exposed, remove the light bulb;

# If the lighting fixture is self-enclosed, remove its cover then unscrew the bulb;
# Disconnect the wires that connect your lighting fixture to the circuit wires;
# Following the instructions that came in your new lighting fixture package, complete the installation and re-install the light bulb;
# Reattach the wires and put your lighting fixture cover back in place. See how easy it to replace your lighting fixture? But don’t forget to turn your circuit back on - that is, unless you like living in the dark. Safety first: if in doubt, call a licensed electrician!

How to Choose a Light Fixture for Teak Furniture

Do you have difficulty choosing the right lighting fixture to go with your teak furniture? You have a lot of options and all of them are good.

You can try a wall sconce with an Asian-inspired theme. Whether you choose a box wall scone, a classical style or a tall box wall sconce, a solid wood veneer or Japanese cane goes well with most types of wood furniture. The Japanese cane is dressy and modern while the Japanese Bamboo is more tranquil. Another option for your indoor lighting fixture is Thai Grass. Offering a neutral color with natural shades, you can bring the outdoors into your home and create a peaceful environment seven days a week.

If you are apprehensive about the Asian themes, there are other options as well. Equally true of wall sconces. Overhead and table lamps can be just as impressive for your lighting fixture needs. For example, the sand-colored Anders table lamp with a square drum shade is a nice, simple option. The neutral sand color blends well with taupes and chocolates.

Another option is a table lamp with a long drum shade, available in chocolate linen--and about 125 other materials. A little bit more modern, its simplicity is a nice compliment to the natural essence of teak.

Speaking of modern, if you want a real contemporary look you can go with a hanging pendant lighting fixture. The three-way pendant adds a three-dimensional look to any room and brings out the full flavor of the furniture you use. Hang it over a small teak table and you’ve got a nice breezy interior.

Home Building - Interior Home Lighting

By Jerold Axelrod

Home lighting is probably the most important element in home interior decorating, because it is instrumental in setting the mood of any room. It can affect performance, mood, morale, safety and security. When deciding what lighting to use in your new home it’s important to consider how each room will be used, what fixtures are appropriate, energy efficiency and cost. To ensure that you will achieve the desired effect for your rooms, you first need to understand the four basic types of home lighting.

Ambient or general lighting illuminates the whole room. It is a good idea to install a dimmer with your track and recessed lights so that you have the flexibility to adjust the brightness. Examples of ambient lighting are recessed downlights, cove lighting, soffit lighting, valance lighting, wall washers, sconces, surface-mounted lights, pendant lights, track lights, chandeliers, under-cabinet lights and portable fixtures.

Task lighting provides sufficient light to help you perform the task at hand, for example reading, cooking, shaving, etc. Task lighting should be glare free and it should make things easy to see without tiring or straining your eyes. Examples of task lighting are valance lighting, pendant lights, under-cabinet lights and portable fixtures.

Accent lighting is focused lighting that is used to illuminate an object in your home like a sculpture, piece of art, or architectural element. Accent lighting is about three times as bright as ambient lighting. Example of accent lighting are wall washers, sconces, track lights and under-cabinet lights.

Natural lighting comes through windows, doors, and skylights and depending on the time of day, season, or weather, it can vary in brightness and intensity.

Garden Lighting

By : Vincent Lawrence

You had "just a couple more little loose ends to wrap up" before leaving the office, but before you know it, it's already past 7 pm, daylight is waning quickly, and you're just pulling into your driveway. Fortunately, there's no more haunting or magical time in the garden than twilight, so you quickly remove your work duds, slip into something more comfortable, grab a cold drink, and head out to the garden to relax and unwind. Ahhhhhhhh…. If only you could extend twilight for an hour or two, the day would be redeemed. Well, that's where outdoor lighting comes in.

You don't want the hassle or expense of installing underground wiring and all that, though---just a little romance and illumination. That still leaves you with three very good choices: Luminaries (or other candle supports/enclosures), oil lamps, and solar-charged electrical lighting. Any of these can be used all by itself, or, better yet, together with one or both of the other options.
Canned Sunlight: The Solar Solution

Solar-powered lighting is the simplest option. You just place the lights in the ground where you want them, and the sun does the rest. They are a good choice wherever you want a no-maintenance solution and you have plenty of sunlight. They work less well in partial shade, and are not a viable option in densely shaded areas. About their only other drawback is that aesthetically, because of their sleek, high-tech look, most are a better fit in landscapes for modern houses (from the '50s on) than for period or old-fashioned gardens like those typically found around homes built before World War II.

Oil Lamps: Rustic Light is Right Outdoors

Before the advent of electrical lighting, there was the oil lamp, and though you'd find very few folks who'd swap the convenience and safety of electric lighting for the flicker of an oil lamp indoors, it's a completely different story when it comes to outdoor lighting---for porch, patio, garden path, or elsewhere in your garden. Somehow, the light of an oil lamp feels warmer, more natural, more rustic, more appropriate in the garden than electrical light ever could.

Candlepower: It's the Measure of Light

From the time some inspired ancestor of ours first dipped a mullein stalk or something similar in tallow, ignited it in the community fire, and used it to illuminate the night, humans have been fascinated with candles. That fascination has been tempered sometimes with anxiety, however, because exposed candle flames can indeed be a hazard---especially indoors. Outside, though, candles in enclosed holders are reasonably safe, and they contribute to an atmosphere of warmth and romance in the garden after dark. They're also probably the most versatile and least expensive solution to shedding some light on your private Eden after dark.

Whether it's solar lighting, oil lamps, candles, or some combination of these that's the right solution for your situation, one thing you should realize is that there are few---if any---other additions to your garden that will make such a profound impact for so little expense. And a garden, though perhaps beautiful by day, is pure magic when illuminated at night.