Tag Archives: overhead lighting

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.

Foyer Lighting 101

The Foyer welcomes in your guests and sets a tone for the rest of your home. This area should not be overlooked when designing a lighting plan. If the foyer is a smaller area, a chandelier or a few wall sconces can provide enough light to make the transition from the outdoors into the home. If it is a larger area, incorporate recessed or track fixtures for instant drama. To add more lighting, you can display lamps on side tables or a buffet, columns can be flanked by torchieres, art on the walls can be lit and plants can be highlighted with portable up lights. If there is a closet in your foyer, add a fixture to the closet to be sure there is enough light to see into it.

How high do I hang the chandelier in my foyer?

The bottom of the chandelier should be at least 8 feet above the floor. If the ceiling is very high, the chandelier may be hung higher than 8 feet. If there is a window above the front door through which the chandelier will be seen from the outside, the chandelier should be hung centered in relation to the window.

What size chandelier do I hang in the foyer?

The size of a chandelier should be chosen based on the width of the foyer, the ceiling height and any architectural details, such as double doors, or a window above the front door. A general rule is the chandelier width should be at least the same size in inches as the diagonal measurement of the room in feet. Example: If the room is 20 feet on the diagonal, then your chandelier should be about 20 inches long.