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Home Decorating - Choosing The Right Lights For Your Look And Needs, Part 2
By admin | April 9, 2008
In part two of this two part series, we look at practical advice for choosing lighting according to both your decorating and usage needs…
A Lighting Checklist
In order to analyze the lighting requirements for a particular room, first draw up a checklist.
Does the room have several functions? Many rooms have to be multi-functional; clever lighting can make one room seem like several, illuminating dining, working, reading, and sitting areas in different ways, and allowing one area to be lit separately from the rest.
What mood do you want to create? In the living room you’ll want a different mood from that in the kitchen or bathroom - make sure you define your needs clearly when you set about your planning.
Are there special lighting needs? Children may need somewhere to do their homework, in which case you will need to provide a good desk light. If you have an elderly member of the family, you’ll want an armchair with a cord-switched reading lamp within easy reach.
Will young children use the room? Always use safety plugs, make sure hot bulbs are out of reach and table or floor lamps are stable, and avoid trailing light cords.
Are there practical limitations? The extent to which you can rearrange the lighting in a room depends on how flexible the existing electrical supply is. Are you prepared for the expense and disruption of putting in new wiring and outlets? Complete rewiring will almost certainly mean a great deal of redecoration.
What is your budget? If you decide exactly what you are prepared to spend before you start, you won’t find the costs running away with you. Even if the ideal solution is beyond your means, with a little ingenuity you can probably find a less expensive alternative.
Practical Pointers
If you live in an area where burglary is a risk, install security lighting. An outside light operated by a sensor will switch on when anyone approaches the house – useful both as a deterrent, and to help you find your keys, or park in the garage after dark.
You can buy security bulbs and timers for use inside the house too. A simple security bulb will switch on when darkness falls and off again at dawn. More sophisticated versions switch on and off several times during the night. Timer switches can be set to switch lights on and off at varying times in different rooms. Wiring work must be carried out by a qualified electrician.
Trailing extension cords can be dangerous. If necessary, install floor outlets so that table lamps can be plugged in without trailing cords across the floor. Never run cord under a carpet. It can overheat and cause a fire. Always check that the power is off before you change a light bulb.
Buying Lighting
Specialist lighting stores offer the best range of fittings and advice. Some have a design service, which is well worth considering if you want to fit a sophisticated low-voltage system.
Before you buy a lamp or other fixture, ask to see it lit so you can judge the effect. Remember that shade colors change when the light is on.
Make sure that the shade you intend to use is suitable for the bulb. Some paper and fabric shades can be scorched by powerful bulbs.
Is the lamp or fixture the right size? Measure the diameter of the table or cabinet before you buy table lamps and check that pendant lights won’t be an obstruction for the taller members of your family.
Make sure you know how the fixture works and how to replace the bulb before you leave the store.
©2007, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Are you ready for more tips, ideas and advice about creative ways to use General Home Decor in your decorating plans? Visit the Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network (http://www.diyhomedecorating.com/) now to see our latest projects and pictures, plus be sure to get signed up for our free Home Decorating Tips Letter Too!
Tags: accents, advice, decor, decorating, furnishings, home, ideas, lamps, lighting, lights, tips
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