5 Bright Ideas for Exterior Home Lighting this Summer

Summer means spending more time outside, either entertaining or just enjoying the company of your family. Once the sun goes down, the exterior home lighting that you pick can really highlight the features of your outdoor space. Read on and know our five favorite ways to light the way this summer. Touch of Tiki Get the feeling of a tropical vacation right in your backyard with a tall tiki torch. These  lamps use standard lamp oil or citronella oil that repels insects. Choose one that comes with a fiberglass wick so it lasts a lifetime. Whether you are enjoying some quiet time alone  or entertaining guests, these torches create instant island vibe when you light them. Gas Lamp District Bring a touch of turn-of-the-century nostalgia to your yard patio with the Islander 80″/85” Citronella Single/Four Flame Patio Lantern by Patio Living Concepts. Made of weather-resistant materials, its easy to fill containers use standard lamp oil or citronella oil that repels insects. Fill them with just 16 ounces of fluid and it should be enough for the evening. This lantern stands at 85 inches and comes with four lanterns on a single pole. Backyard Zen Do you want to bring a calm feeling of Zen to your outside gatherings? The Sacramento Sm Wall Lantern by Kenroy Home comes with a peaceful presence and a classic design. Put them around your patio and enjoy the calm light the next time that you entertain guests or hang out in your yard with your special someone. Color Play Bring some color to your next al fresco gathering with the 59″ Portable Color Changing LED Floor Lamp by Patio Living Concepts that give an amazing display of color. Solar-powered LED lights gently change color through all the hues of the rainbow. It is easy to install, is portable, and each LED lights lasts up to 30,000 hours (that’s 15 years!). Fun Fruit If you want to bring a  tropical twist to your backyard that is both functional and fun, get yourself a pineapple path light  Choose  those   that  erfeature  ass or aluminum construction so this light fixture will stand out from the background and stand the outdoor elements. Add some character to your backyard with these fun outdoor lighting ideas. Beware, though, you might end up entertaining every...

4 More Mistakes to Avoid in Interior Home Lighting

You might not realize it but you might be making interior home lighting mistakes in your attempts to make lighting your home inexpensive or unique. Sometimes, you should be able to take care of the mistakes without hiring a pro. Here are more of today’s most common lighting mistakes, and ways on how to do it right. Mistake #1: Forgetting to incorporate ambient and task lighting Lighting designers understand that all well-design spaces should incorporate different kinds of lighting. Ambient light is general lighting for conversing, walking around and identifying objects while task lighting gives higher and more concentrated lighting for tasks like reading, shaving and chopping vegetables. Accent light like the Athena Table Lamp by Adesso is used to highlight architectural features or artwork. Combining these three types of light gives greater interest, functionality and livelihood that you will have efficient and sufficient lighting. Mistake #2: Neglecting to control different types of light separately For maximum flexibility and efficiency, every type of light should be controlled separately, and halogen or incandescent light, or dimmable LEDs like the Saber LED Desk Lamp by Adesso has to be dimmed. Controlling multiple sources can be done by the old school multiple light switches, but we are now seeing more sophisticated ways to achieve control. From a programmable wallbox system for single room control to wireless controls that can be programmed from a phone or laptop, controlling lighting gives energy savings combined with the right type and amount of light for various times and uses. Mistake #3: Putting recessed downlights in a high ceiling for ambient lighting Doing so will yields a lot of wasted light and a very dark space. Light originating at high ceilings has to have a focused and tight beam spread with enough center bean candle power, just like that of a high wattage halogen source or ceramic metal halide. Better yet, use pendant or wall-mounted sources like the Zip Linear Wall Sconce by De Majo by Illuminating Experiences to reflect light off a light and matte ceiling. This usually gives better illumination than punching many holes for recessed downlights. Mistake #4: Decorating with light Lighting designers see light as an actual dimension, imagining the output and distribution from every fixture, as well as the quality of color and light. Decorating with light fixtures, or choosing fixtures based on how they look and not on their light output, distribution and performance usually results in less than optimal light output and a waste of energy. For assistance on architectural light fixture choices, consider getting a professional lighting designer who can transform your space with light, while giving you adequate task lighting and saving...

Home Lighting Ideas: 7 Ways to Dress Up Chandeliers for the Holiday Season

Chandeliers already make a big statement all on their own, but if you are looking to add more pizzazz, then there are some very easy ways to make them look even more stunning. From elegant to casual, here are home lighting ideas that you can use to  spruce up your chandeliers in no time. Kiss and tell. Add a little romance to a dinner party by hanging a kissing ball from a fixture that is made of spray roses and florist foam. Finish it off with fresh greenery and holiday ornaments. Wonderfully white. For a white winter celebration, decorate your chandelier with white ornaments and shimmery garland for an elegant effect. Continue the theme with white napkins, tablecloth, china  and your treaured  silver collection. Draped in garland. Quickly dress your chandelier up with strands of garland. Real garland usually last about 10 days;  so keep your home cool and mist it with water often to keep it looking fresh. Otherwise, you can go with an artificial alternative. Blooming beauty. For a finishing touch, add fresh flowers to  your design. Remember, though, that the  blooms are fragile and will not last long without water, so be sure to add them at the last minute. Green grandeur. You can put up wreaths one more than just outdoors. Suspend a wreath of mixed greens and lady apples with ribbon to accent a wooden chandelier. Sweet idea. Create a simple yet playful setting in the dining room by stringing candy ornaments from the lights. You can use  candies as card holders, in votives, and on the sideboard or mantal for fun-filled festivities. Let it snow. A  glamorous look does not have to expensive. Scourge discount stores for ornaments, snowflakes, and beaded garland, and finish the chandelier with faux crystal icicles and prisms. Here are some great chandelier styles that you will unleash your creativity. Laclede 6 Light Chandelier by Uttermost Featuring a Tuscan Bronze finish with burnished silver accents, the Laclede 6 Light Chandelier by Uttermost has a fluted glass with a textured Scavo interior with molten edges. This beautiful piece will make a dramatic and elegant statement. Hermine Ceiling Fixture by Ren-Wil The Hermine Ceiling Fixture by Ren-Wil comes with a gorgeous satin nickel body and twelve candelabra lamps. Designed by Jonathan Wilner and Kelly Stevenson, this will beautifully grace any room in your home. Antoinette 5 Light Chandelier by Kenroy Home With its weathered silver and glass accents finish, the Antoinette 5 Light Chandelier by Kenroy Home is a sight to behold. It features five 60-watt candelabra bulbs that will bring to life the room and improve its overall...

4 Mistakes You Should Avoid in Home Lighting Design

Interior designers are usually called to give input on home lighting design. In trying to tackle the dilemma, many fixtures get specified in living areas, baths and kitchens that often waste energy and do not provide  light where it is needed the most. These ineffective specifications are usually repeated as homeowners are unsure of the tricks and solutions to the trade. Below are some of the most common lighting mistakes that you need to avoid. Mistake #1: Installing recessed can downlights everywhere This is one of the most common lighting errors that design professionals see. These lights are usually inexpensive so people usually assume that laying them out in a regular grid will get light everywhere. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The optics of inexpensive can lights mostly allows a little more than half the lumen output of the lamp to escape. Also, unless they are wall wash fixtures or are adjustable, can lights do not put sufficient light on vertical surfaces, which is where the eye perceives light. With such an array of cans, you can use  up to half the watts and you are left with  a dark space. Mistake #2: Forgetting task lights in the kitchen There are numerous better ways to light your counter. One of which is the uses of fluorescent, xenon or LED task lights under the upper cabinets. But if your kitchen design does not have upper cabinets over work surfaces, no need to worry. You can use ceiling recessed or wall-mounted fixtures like the Nemo Italianaluce Norma 65 Wall Lamp by Illuminating Experiences. You just have to make sure that you use the right lamp. Adding several low voltage halogen fixtures and focusing them on the task area will do the trick. Make sure that you wisely pick the fluorescent or LED color temperature. Mistake #3: Using downlights over the vanity without adding lights on the side Standing under a downlight, without lighting at the sides of the face, creates unflattering and exaggerated shadows. In the bathroom, the use of downlight over the sink is fine to accent a polished nickel faucet, but it is not enough for tasks like tweezing, shaving and applying makeup. In this case, you need light at the sides of the mirror at eye level to provide even distribution and minimize shadows. You can achieve this with sconces like the Adams 1 Light Sconce by Kenroy Home. Mistake #4: Using halogen or incandescent sources without dimming While we are looking for ways to retrofit lighting with more long-lasting and efficient light sources than an incandescent, it remains to be an important and viable part of lighting a home. You just have to see to it that it is dimmable. By dimming, you can decrease heat and energy output while lengthening the life of the lamp. Get yourself a table lamp with a dimmer switch...

Great Ideas on Home Light Fixtures for Your Dining Room

Dining rooms are not only places for eating and sitting; they are also great places for entertainment. The atmosphere and mood that is necessary in a room can differ with your company or the time of the day. Today’s wide variety of home light fixtures for the dining room can help create the desired feel. Below are some inspiring  ideas to get your started. Natural Lights Ideally, dining rooms should be wall lit with natural lights. This will allow you to save energy during the day. The way that natural lights can light up your dining area is unbeatable. The use of smartly placed mirrors along one or two windows should be enough to lighten up the entire room in a natural way. Pendant Lights These lights will make your dining room delightful, with  lights concentrated on where it is most needed. A pendant light can be hung at different heights to add to the overall décor of the room. Like the Deco Deluxe Pendant by Lights Up!, it should work well in a corner dining area where there is limited space and light. Down Lights Great at the dining table for illuminating the setting and the food, a dawn light can be built into the chandelier where it can be the centerpiece of your dining space. Consider strategically installing a variety of down lights from the ceiling above your dining table. Chandeliers Adding charm to your dining room decoration, chandeliers can be hung very low and serve as a light source right in the center of the room. Choose designs that mask the light bulbs. If you have a glass or crystal chandelier like the Encounters 6 Light Chandelier by Kenroy Home, ensure that the light is pointed towards the ceiling. Recessed Lights If you only need relatively low levels of lighting, go with a recessed lighting fixture. These ambient and dim lights are usually best in dining rooms, particularly in the corners of the room where there only soft lighting is needed. Lamp Shades A lamp with shade, like the Sophia Ultra Modern Contemporary Home Table Lamp by Adesso, placed at strategic locations in your dining area will focus light on certain area where you need them. They can also give ample lighting in areas where bright light is not really needed, like on side tables or cutlery cabinets.   Dimmers Your dining room does not need to be bright all the time. In line with this, it would always be a good idea to have light that you can easily adjust. There is where a dimmer becomes useful. A dimmer will regulate the lighting intensities so you can adjust the brightness of the lights as you wish. These lighting ideas should add to the attraction of your dining room, making it more cheerful and welcoming. Choosing the right types of light can do wonders to  the...