A guest post from LEDwatcher.com
Illuminating a house can be hard work, especially if you want to do it correctly. Most people just find a light fixture they like, buy the cheapest light bulbs they can find, and call it a day. But that doesn't ensure functional or aesthetically pleasing lighting. Ignoring the most important features of lighting can lead to low energy efficiency and poor lighting in your home. We have taken the time to outline some of the most common home lighting mistakes, so you can avoid them.
Forgetting about light dimmers
Not enough people utilize dimming units for their interior lighting. It may not seem all that important, but this can actually be a big mistake.
Without dimmers the light bulbs in your home consume a lot more electricity and emit more illumination than what is actually needed or desired. Additionally, without dimmers, the lifespan of your lighting is significantly reduced. There are a now a multitude of different ways to install and dim your interior lighting, and it is much easier than you think. Traditional dimmer switches, LED compatible dimming units, and smart LED bulbs, are just a few easy ways to improve your interior lighting through dimmers.
Using inefficient light bulbs
Many people are still mistakenly reaching for energy inefficient incandescent, halogen and fluorescent bulbs for their home lighting.
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A 60-watt incandescent light bulb emits the same amount of light as 43-watt halogen bulb and a 7-watt LED bulb. Which means that by using LED bulbs it is possible to save up to 75% more energy and money than using incandescent and other inefficient bulb styles. Furthermore the lifespan of LED bulbs is significantly longer than other types. An incandescent bulb typically has a one year life span, and a halogen bulbs has 3. The average LED bulbs can last as long as two decades with average use. By choosing LED bulbs as your home light bulb type, you also choose energy efficiency and extra money in your bank account. |
Choosing bulbs in the wrong color temperature
A lighting feature that is often overlooked, or unknown by the average consumer is color temperature.
In order to understand the importance of color temperature, you must know that lights with higher color temperatures (5,000 to 6,500 Kelvin) emit cooler blue-white light, but lights with lower color temperatures (around 3,000 Kelvins) will emit warmer yellow-amber light.
There are absolutely no rules when it comes to color temperature, only preference. A lower color temperature is most common as this is what the incandescent bulbs of the past have produced. In order to effectively light a space with color temperature in mind, it is important to consider the dimensions and interior of the space. For example, cool-white lights will make an already light room look brighter and even more spacious, but warm-tone bulbs can make a darker room look cave-like or cozy, depending on how you use your lights and the function of the room.
Not having layered lighting
Most people use only overhead or ambient lighting in their house, but there should be at least two more layers of lighting used for truly efficient and effective home lighting.
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Accent lighting are typically smaller light fixtures, that are used to accent certain features of a room like artwork. Task lighting, on the other hand, is used to illuminate a space, where you will be performing specific tasks like reading or writing. The combination of these two light layers with overhead lights will provide both functionality and aesthetics. By allowing the control of the amount of light needed different elements of daily life your home function and look incredible. |
In addition to ambient lighting, there should also be accent and task lights placed throughout the space.
Accent lighting are typically smaller light fixtures, that are used to accent certain features of a room like artwork.
Task lighting, on the other hand, is used to illuminate a space, where you will be performing specific tasks like reading or writing. The combination of these two light layers with overhead lights will provide both functionality and aesthetics. By allowing the control of the amount of light needed different elements of daily life your home function and look incredible.
Ignoring small spaces
The final common home lighting mistake is forgetting about small spaces such as closets and pantries.
People usually think that ambient lighting or motion lights will be enough to illuminate these smaller areas, but actually it will only create shadows and make it even more difficult to see anything in these tiny places.
There should be accent light fixtures installed in each small space in order to best utilize the space. A great choice for these accent lights are portable plug in pendants - as they can be easily moved and relocated as the space requires.
By following these home lighting tips, you not only will have beautiful lighting in your home, but the lighting will also be efficient and functional. With little time and research, you too can have home lighting that compliments the interior of your home and properly illuminates your space.