Let
There Be Light...
By Jill
Bertapelle
Lighting
can make all the difference in how you feel about your house. By using
different lighting techniques you can create the desired feel for
your home — dramatic, functional, cozy, warm, or eclectic. There
are three main categories of home lighting: ambient, accent, and task.
Your home should have a combination of all three types to create comfortable
lighting for the needs of each room. Ambient light is the general
light for any space and helps you move safely about. It is the light
that makes a room livable and, while it is uniform, it is less dramatic
than accent or task light. Accent light directs attention to special
articles in a room such as artwork or plants. Task light provides
illumination for work areas such as countertops or cooking areas.
Using all three types of lighting together can make any room beautiful.
When
analyzing your lighting needs, it is important to consider your requirements.
How much light do you need and where should lights be placed? First,
determine the size of your room and the height of your ceilings. Also
take into account the amount of natural light the room receives. For
instance, a room with large windows will not need much in the way
of artificial light during the day but may require supplemental light
at night. Carefully think about the amount of light you will want
in the room and begin
to build your lighting scheme.
The goal
of managing your lighting scheme is to provide the best quality and
quantity of light at the lowest operating cost. Familiarize yourself
with the important terms lighting designers use when building a lighting
plan.
Quality
of light is measured in “luminance,” or photometric brightness,
and is the light we see. The quantity of light that leaves a fixture
is measured in “lumens,” while the amount of light that
arrives at a surface is measured in “lux.” Remember that,
depending on their color, the ceiling, floor, and walls all reflect
a different amount of light. For example, a white surface reflects
80% of the light that strikes it and provides a bright, even level
of light throughout the room. The amount of electrical input required
for a fixture to work is measured in “watts.” Wattage is
correlated to brightness when purchasing a fixture or light bulb.
The higher the wattage, the more lumens the bulb or fixture bulb will
produce. Many fixtures are produced with capacities between 60 and
150 watts. Be sure to ask about maximum wattage when purchasing a
fixture.
Selecting
a fixture that is UL approved is important for safety. Underwriters
Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety
testing and certification organization and has tested products for
public safety for more than a century. Most new fixtures are UL approved
but check to see whether antique fixtures have been re-wired before
installing them in your home.
Many
times, selecting the best light fixtures for your home is a subjective
choice and a matter of personal taste. These are merely guidelines
and general suggestions to help you get started. You will find lighting
showroom associates helpful resources in making your decision and
as sounding boards for ideas. Visit or call your local lighting store
with ideas and questions, they will enjoy working with you to find
the perfect lighting solution for your home.
Lighting
Your Entryway
An entryway light fixture makes the first impression when you
and your guests enter your home. Many people choose a surface-mount
fixture with a decorative shade for simplicity while others choose
a pendant or drop pan or a chandelier fixture for a more dramatic
effect. Just make sure to leave enough clearance for the door
to open safely. |
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Lighting
Your Living Room
Depending on the size and use of your living room, one or more
surface-mount, drop pan, or chandelier fixture (depending on the
height of your ceiling) can provide ambient light if placed in
central locations. Wall sconces placed around the room can provide
additional light for the space. You may wish to put living room
light fixtures on dimmers to control the amount of light at any
given time. Table or floor lamps provide great task light for
reading or other hobbies and accent light can help draw attention
to items of interest throughout the room. |
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Lighting
Your Dining Room
Chandeliers, pendants, or pan fixtures can provide a key element
of décor in your dining area. There are a few rules of
thumb to consider when choosing a length for your dining room
light fixture. It can be subjective according to how you use your
dining room (i.e., formally or informally). More formal, traditional
dining rooms often have lower hanging fixtures. An old fashion
rule of thumb says to hang your light fixtures 36” (3’)
above your table or 72” (6’) off your floor. Many people
feel that this is too low for today’s taller families and
preference for casual entertaining. An emerging rule of thumb
is to hang your light fixture between 78” (6 1/2’) and
84” (7’) off your floor. The best way to determine what
will look best in your home is to hang something that will help
you visualize the light fixture you have in mind before you make
a purchase and hire your electrician to install it. A dimmer may
also help control the amount of light at any given time to provide
effect or mood (i.e., dramatic, elegant, or functional). |
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Lighting
Your Kitchen
Many people choose multiple fixtures for their kitchen and use
a combination of ambient and task light. Depending on the height
of the ceiling, a surface-mount fixture will provide the central
source of ambient light for the room. Pendant lights are perfect
for dining nooks or eating areas. They also work well as task
lighting for the area over the sink or above an island or cooking
space. Pendant lights should be mounted so that they hang approximately
30” to 42” off the top of the table or counter top.
It is a good idea to measure by hanging something from your ceiling
so you can get comfortable with a length that works for you. |
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Lighting
Your Bedrooms
A surface-mount fixture in the center of the room is a good choice
for ambient light in a bedroom. Task lighting beside the bed,
sconces or table lamps, will provide illumination for reading
and supplemental light in the closet may also be important. |
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Lighting
Your Bathroom
If you choose to mount a light fixture over a mirror, be sure
to center the fixture over the sink. This will prevent shadowing
on your face. If you choose to mount a fixture on either side
of the mirror, a good recommendation is to place them approximately
65” to 70” off the floor and approximately 30”
apart to prevent shadows. It is also a good idea to have your
bathroom fixtures “damp” rated to protect the wiring
from moisture. |
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Lighting
Your Hallways
Adequate ambient light in a hallway is important so that you and
your family can move safely throughout your home. You may choose
a series of smaller surface mount fixture or wall sconces to provide
light throughout this space. |
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Lighting
Your Porch
Before selecting a light fixture for your porch, determine whether
you need a “damp” rated or “wet” rated light
fixture. Damp rated fixtures are appropriate for covered outdoor
locations such as porches. Look for a wet rated light fixture
for exposed applications where the fixture will be exposed to
direct precipitation. Porch fixtures can add a lot of curb appeal
to your home, especially during the darker winter months. Be
sure to consider how the fixture will look close up and from
a distance. Lastly, be sure to consider how your light fixture
will look with your home’s siding and architectural style. |
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Jill
Bertapelle is a store manager for Schoolhouse Electric Company, 330
SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97214; 800-630-7113,
503-230-7113. Visit www.schoolhouseelectric.com |
