Creative Lighting Designs & Decor

Category: Room By Room

  • Rethinking Your Bathroom Lighting Design

    Rethinking Your Bathroom Lighting Design

    Do you enter your bathroom each morning wishing there was more of a pop to your overall lighting design?  You’re certainly not alone; many homeowners are left uninspired by their bathroom’s look!

    Since the bathroom is likely the spot you use to get ready for your day, the room is an essential part of your morning routine. Bathroom lighting can make or break your mood, helping to kick-start your morning or relax you at night as you wind down.

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    PHOTO CREDIT: SPACE DESIGNED BY SPACE HARMONY INTERIORS INC. WWW.SPACEHARMONY.CA, COLIN PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

     

    Where to Start

    With bathroom lighting, you need to first think about the types of lighting fixtures you want to use. Many home designs use recessed LED light fixtures to create directional lighting. This will illuminate your bathroom space efficiently, but with light dimmers, you can control the mood with just a touch of your light switch.

    Additionally, think about your sink and bathroom mirror. This is the area where you do most of your work to get ready in the morning. You need bright and vibrant lighting to ensure you don’t leave home with smeared lipstick or toothpaste in the corner of your mouth.

    Move Away from the Traditional

    If you’re uninspired by your bathroom lighting design, try something completely fresh and new. Instead of standard exposed light bulbs above your bathroom mirror, try adding wall sconces to each side of the mirror. Harsh lights at the top of a mirror can cast shadows that make tasks like shaving or applying makeup more difficult.

    Know Your Colors
    Bathrooms should be calm and relaxing, but not dark enough to put you back to sleep while you’re trying to get ready for the day. Try mixing bright, light paint colors on the wall with darker accents, such as dark wood cabinets or mirror frames. The two contrasting colors will complement one another and lend a unique design to your bathroom.

    If you want more color, implement decorative pieces in the bathroom, such as a framed pictures, brightly colored towels or a shelf holding colorful bathroom knickknacks above the toilet.

    It’s always best to let the accessories shine with bright colors, because you can easily change these items out. However, when investing in new paint or cabinet materials, pick something you know will stand the test of time.

    We offer an extensive collection of bath lighting and would love to answer any questions you might have.  Stop in to the showroom to say hello!

  • 8 Steps to Install a Pendant Lighting Fixture

    8 Steps to Install a Pendant Lighting Fixture

    If you’ve decided to add some elegance to your home lighting design with pendant light fixtures, you might be wondering how to install them. Luckily, pendant lights are not extremely difficult to install, and most avid do-it-yourself people can get it done within an hour or two.

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    Here are eight easy steps to install a pendant light fixture:

    1. Cut the Power
    Remember, if you’re not comfortable working with your home’s electrical wires, you should contact a professional for help. However, for those who are up for the challenge, the first thing you need to do is turn off the power through your fuse box to the room you’ll be working in. Always make sure to test the power outlets for a current before you start doing anything.

    2. Take Out Your Old Fixture
    More than likely, you have a ceiling light already in place, and this makes it easy to simply remove the light fixture and base or trim. Once you have an empty hole in the ceiling, you’re ready to put in your new fixture. If you don’t have a ceiling fixture, you will likely want to speak with a professional before cutting into your ceiling.

    3. Check for the Support Beam
    In the hole, you want to make sure there’s a support beam that can hold the pendant light fixture. If not, you’re putting too much weight on your ceiling, which could collapse. If you do not have a beam, you will have to forego the installation process on your own because it could be a building code violation.

    4. Connect the Wires
    Inside the hole where the old light fixture once was should be the wires that were previously connected to the other fixture. You can follow the guidelines on the light fixture’s installation instructions, which usually means connecting black wires to black wires and white to white. You may need to cut and strip the wires to give optimal connection space. Make sure wire connectors hold the two leads together. Your fixture should come with these connectors, but if not, they are available at any hardware store.

    5. Find the Ground Wire
    Before you finish the wiring, it’s critical to find the ground wire, which is usually green or copper colored. Attach the ground wire to the ground screw on the junction box, and tighten the screw to hold it in place.

    Ensure all wires are connected or secured through wire nuts before pushing the wires back into the ceiling.

    6. Add Your Mounting Bracket
    To ensure your pendant will not fall, add the mounting bracket to the support beam. This can be attached with screws, and it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set up the light correctly.

    7. Finish Installing the Canopy or Base
    Once you have the support bracket and the wires connected, you want to finish by installing the canopy or base. This piece likely requires screws to hold it in place. Try to set it up like the previous base you removed earlier in this process.

    8. Add a Bulb and Test Your Light
    Once the pendant is able to hang freely, you want to install a light bulb and test the fixture to make sure it works by flipping the fuse box switch back on. If the light does not come on, you need to turn the power off again, and check your wiring, as that is usually the most common problem.

    We have a wide variety of pendant lights available in our showroom!  Stop in and take a look, and remember if you’ve found something that you like online-we’ll match the price!

  • Lighting Tips for the Living Room

    Lighting Tips for the Living Room

    When designing a lighting plan for a living room, you need to consider the variety of activities that occur there.

    Dimming controls are ideal for the living room because they allow you to design the lighting to suit each mood and family activity.

    Fireplaces of brick or stone can be framed with recessed downlights installed in the ceiling over the mantle. Wall sconces on each side of the fireplace are an attractive addition that draw attention to the fireplace, while providing general lighting for the room.

    TV and video games require low level lighting that does not wash out the screen’s image.

    Glass shelves and glassware can be accented by recessed fixtures.

    Miniature track lights can be installed under shelves to provide the room with accent and general lighting.

    The use of low-voltage fixtures with tungsten-halogen bulbs will emit a bright, white light that will make glassware sparkle, while providing light for serving.

    Reading requires task lighting from behind the reader’s shoulder. The bottom of the shade should be at eye level.

  • Lighting Tips for the Bathroom

    In the bathroom you need even, shadow-free lighting for shaving, grooming and applying make-up.

    In small bathrooms mirror lights will illuminate the entire room, but in large bathrooms an additional ceiling fixture is needed. A recessed infrared heat lamp will give you added warmth.

    For small mirrors, decorative wall brackets on each side will illuminate both sides of your face evenly. You can also mount a wall bracket across the top of the mirror.

    Fixtures equipped with incandescent bulbs behind diffusers provide flattering light. Pick warm tones when using fluorescents.

    Theatrical lighting strips around your bathroom mirror will give you the same lighting the stars enjoy.

    Tub and shower enclosures can be adequately lit by placing an enclosed damp location recessed downlight in the ceiling. Theses downlights are also recommended over whirlpool baths and saunas.

  • Lighting Tips for the Bedroom

    When lighting a bedroom, try to create an overall atmosphere of quiet relaxation while providing some bright spots for reading and other activities.A combination of general and task lighting that takes into account the age and lifestyle of the occupant is needed. Remember, dimming controls give you the flexibility to vary the light to suit different moods and activities.

    General lighting can be provided by ceiling fixtures, chandeliers, fan lights, recessed downlights, or wall sconces, giving you the illumination you need.

    At the dressing table, an adjustable, lighted magnifying mirror will provide ideal lighting for grooming and applying makeup. For closets, a surface mounted or recessed closet light is suggested.

    Swing-arm wall lamps on either side of the bed will provide adequate light for reading, while leaving night tables free for a clock radio and books. Another idea is to hang pendants next to the bed, or install recessed downlights in the ceiling over the bed.

    Children’s rooms will benefit from the use of track lights, which can be swiveled, rotated, and aimed in any direction to shed light on play areas, hobbies or homework.

  • Lighting Tips for the Dining Room

    Dining room lighting should be functional and set the mood for a variety of occasions.A chandelier is the focal point of the dining room. Suspended over the dining table, it serves as a decorative style element that enhances the beauty of your fine furnishings. When the light is dimmed a soft glowing atmosphere similar to candlelight is created. If equipped with a downlight the chandelier provides task lighting for the table and accent lighting for the centerpiece.

    Recessed or track lighting provides general lighting while enabling you to highlight prized possessions throughout a room. A ring of four recessed downlights around the dining table supplements the light from the chandelier, while providing accent light for your tableware. The white light of low-voltage fixtures with tungsten-halogen bulbs will make your silverware and crystal sparkle.

    A buffet or sideboard can be flanked with wall sconces on either side. Choose fixtures that complement the style of your chandelier. Displayed objects can be accented with recessed downlights installed in the ceiling. A family portrait can be dramatically lighted with recessed adjustable accent fixtures.

    A china cabinet, breakfront, hutch, or wall niche can become a showplace for your prized collectibles by installing strips of low voltage mini-lights under the shelves.

  • Lighting Tips for the Kitchen

    The kitchen is primarily a work area, but it is also a gathering area for family and friends. Lighting that is comfortable and functional is required. A large ceiling fixture, equipped with energy efficient fluorescent tubes will supply plenty of well diffused general lighting, but it may leave you working in your own shadow at the sink, range, and countertops. These areas need supplemental task lighting. Track lights over the sink will give you the illumination you need for washing dishes.

    At the sink and range, an individual recessed downlight equipped with an energy efficient compact fluorescent tube will provide you with adequate task lighting when installed in the ceiling.

    Dinettes, nooks, and island counters can be lit with pendants. When used with a dimmer control, these ceiling-hung fixtures will provide you with adequate task lighting for hobbies, homework, or family business and allow you to lower the light for entertaining.

    Undercabinet lighting is ideal for countertops. Mount as close to the front of the cabinets as possible to avoid glare reflecting off work surfaces.

  • When It's Time to Upgrade Your Bathroom Lighting

    Proper lighting is essential to the look and function of the room where you get ready to face the world every day. So why do so many people put up with uneven shadows and having to strain to see their faces in the mirror every morning? (more…)

  • Sanctuary for Slumber: Bedroom Lighting Tips

    Sanctuary for Slumber: Bedroom Lighting Tips

    Bedroom lighting ranges from basic to bold; from dimmed to dramatic. To help you properly light your bedroom, here are some tips. (more…)

  • Layered Looks in the Dining Room

    Layered Looks in the Dining Room

    Today’s dining rooms reflect consumers’ changing lifestyles. Once used solely for daily dining, this room has become much more multi-purpose. During the week, we use the dining room as a work zone, for homework, crafts, church work and organizational meetings. On the weekends and special occasions, it becomes a gathering place for parties and meals. (more…)