How to Light Your Bedroom and Create Visual Interest

Benefits of Tunable White Light

Because the possibilities are endless, bedrooms can be problematic to light. The bedroom is one room in which you can do just about anything to light up the space, whether you want to light from up above with overhead lighting, the side with wall scones or from the surface with table lamps. Our suggestion? Light from all over to give your room as much depth, detail and light as possible. Options are key, and the more lighting your space has, the more options you will have down the road.

Where to start: Overhead lighting. Overhead lighting is usually the most complicated to install and the most dramatic, so start there and work your way out. Of course, there are many overhead lighting options, ranging from recessed lighting to ceiling fans and chandeliers. This choice all depends on your specific wants and needs, though in Arizona ceiling fans tend to be the obvious choice.

Once you have your overhead lighting taken care of, work your way to the bed. Balance and symmetry are the most appealing to the human eye, so think of adding a pair of matching table lamps or sconces to either side of the bed. This will draw the eye to the focal point of any bedroom, the bed, and then bring the eye out towards the lamps or sconces.

If there are any spaces left in your bedroom that are not properly lit, light them. A lot of people have a chair in their bedrooms used for reading or watching TV. A floor lamp is a perfect choice for these smaller spaces; not only will it add light, it will also add depth to the room by creating even more interest with lines and heights.

If you followed these tips, your bedroom now has overhead lighting from up above, lighting at eye level on either side of the bed, and a tall floor lamp with long lines which will bring the eye up and down again. By lighting your bedroom from varying heights rather than a stagnant height throughout, you will create visual interest and depth in your space.

Update Your Fan to Keep Cool and Stay Stylish

Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans do not last forever, and as times change so do the styles. Whether you like it or not, most ceiling fans become the focal point in the room in which they are installed. They are large, hard to miss and typically installed on a white or off-white ceiling. That being said, it is vital that your ceiling fan match the style of the rest of your home to avoid committing one of the worst interior design crimes possible; mixing non-mixable styles.

Want your ceiling fan to disappear?

Ceiling fans come in a variety of styles, colors and sizes. If you do not want your ceiling fan to be such a major focal point in your room, choose a fixture that blends into the ceiling it is installed up against. If your ceiling is white, choose a simple white fan that will blend in.

Want your ceiling fan to stand out?

Ensure that your ceiling fan does not blend in against the ceiling it is installed up against, and it will become the focal point you were hoping for. Choose a ceiling fan that matches the style of the rest of your home. Whether traditional, modern, contemporary or southwestern, there is a ceiling fan that matches that style.

The choice is yours, but in Arizona homes are filled with ceiling fans. Rather than hiding them and trying to pretend that they are not there, it has become increasingly popular to treat your fans as you would any other accessory (such as a table lamp or side table) and choose something that compliments the rest of the room.

With our large selection of various styles, sizes and colors, no matter what type of room you have, a ceiling fan is always a viable and stylish option.

Bath and Powder Room Lighting 101

Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom

Bathrooms today have become versatile multi-use rooms where lighting can be critical to enhance its use. Aside from adequate light at the sink and vanity, lighting the tub area and any architectural features are also important. (Always have a licensed electrician perform any electrical work in a bathroom. Electrical codes vary by location and safety should be the utmost concern in a bathroom.) Instead of installing a light fixture over the bathtub water faucet, add light to corners of the tub where you would place your objects d’art. Halogen lights are perfect for a bathroom and will make surfaces and objects sparkle, especially if they are made of marble or glass block. Another idea is to light the toe kick areas under the vanity or the bath tub, giving the fixture a soft night-light type effect. It’s a good idea to put the bathtub lighting on a separate dimmer switch to allow for a relaxing soak in the tub.

Powder Room

The Powder Room offers an opportunity to get creative with your lighting. Since this area is not generally used for grooming, the lighting can be very dramatic. Place decorative wall sconces on either side of the mirror or hang pendants for a true design statement. Also, remember to provide light for a niche or artwork. If the sink or faucets look like a work of art themselves, highlight them with a narrow, halogen spot light from above. Remember that dark colors absorb light, so plan for more than you think you may need and be sure to use a dimmer. Also, small rooms need more light than larger rooms as there are more walls and surfaces to absorb the light, so keep this in mind when choosing fixtures for smaller spaces.

What is the best way to light my bathroom vanity area?

For shaving, applying make-up and styling hair, the best light should be even and shadow-free. To achieve this, light should come from above and from both sides. Wall sconces should be at least 28 inches apart and centered 60 inches off of the floor. Of course, taller or shorter people can adjust this guideline appropriately.

Dining Room Lighting 101

Dining Room Lighting 101

For lighting to be effective in a Dining Room, it should have the capability to set a relaxing, romantic mood, as well as a festive, holiday mood. Highlight the dining room table as the focal point with a light fixture centered above. A dimmer switch is a great feature to incorporate into your lighting plan to allow for different occasions or moods.

TIP: In addition to a chandelier above your dining table, add wall sconces, on either side of art work, collectibles, or niches.

We also suggest using torchieres and buffet lamps for this feature to incorporate layers of light to your room, adding to a spectacular dining experience for you and your guests. For a distinct design statement, install a decorative ceiling medallion with your chandelier.

What size chandelier do I need for my dining room?

Measure the size of your rectangular or square dining table and deduct one foot from the width of the table to determine an appropriate sized chandelier for your space. Rooms with a high ceiling or that have a large round dining table can accommodate a larger chandelier to call attention to the setting.

How high should I hang the chandelier in my dining room?

Generally, chandeliers should be hung high enough so that diners can see each other across the table. For higher ceilings, raise the chandelier so that the chandelier, and not the chain, is the focal point. If your ceiling is 8 feet high, the bottom of the chandelier should be 30 inches above the table. For a higher ceiling, the chandelier may be raised 3 inches for each foot of ceiling height above 8 feet. For example for a 10 foot ceiling the proper height would be 36 inches (30+6).

What is the recommended wattage for my dining room chandelier?

For a multi-armed chandelier, where the bulbs will be visible, 25 watts per socket will provide adequate dining light. Shades can also be used to hide the bulbs, but you should not use over 40 watts per socket or the shades may burn. If you have a chandelier where the bulb is not visible, you can use the recommended maximum wattage for the fixture. Always install a dimmer switch in order to lower the lights for dining.

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