182-kitchen-lighting1Lighting up a room isn’t as easy as flipping a switch.  It is important to think about the type of lighting you want and how to choose fixtures to reflect your style and taste.  Below are some things to consider when choosing lighting for your home:

Make a Plan

Choose a professional or do-it-yourself when creating a lighting plan.  Decide what the function should be and how you want it to look.  Consider the art, mirrors and pictures hung on the wall as well as the furniture in the room.

Budget

How big or small is the project, and what monies do you have to allocate? Will you need to re-route wiring or are you just updating fixtures?  A budget will help keep you on track.

Electrical work and wiring

You will need to work with an electrician if you are rewiring and placing new outlets in your home.  Electricity is nothing to play with, and one wrong move can be deadly.  Electricians need to follow certain codes, so you will need to plan where your outlets and switches go.  Make sure you hire a reputable electrician and do your research.  Get references from family and friends and your local DIY centers for recommendations.

Types of Lighting

There are many different types of lighting options available for your home, and they usually fall into a few main categories – ambient, task and accent.

Your ambient lighting is the general illumination in the room – usually delivered through ceiling fixtures or recessed lighting.

Task lighting will be directed more toward areas that get a lot of action, (such as food prep areas, seating areas or desk areas) and can be anything from pendant lighting to table lamps.

Accent lighting will be used to add depth to the room (or draw attention somewhere) and often comes in the form of puck lights, wall sconces or something to that effect.

When choosing the lighting for your home, come up with a plan, be creative and transform your space so the lighting you choose is not only functional, but also expresses your personal style.