Shimmer, Twinkle, and Shine

LLIGHTING DRAMATICALLY IMPROVES A SPACE and shouldn’t be an afterthought. With the flick of a switch, the right fixture can transform the look of any space. It’s just as important as furniture and flooring. Chandeliers, wall sconces and ceiling fixtures don’t only provide light, they add warmth and charm to your home. The right combination of pendant lights and under cabinet lights can brighten up your kitchen. Outside, adding outdoor wall sconces and post lamps can accent your landscaping and help create a well-lit but cozy atmosphere. Security and flood lights can help keep you, your family, pets and guests safe.

Most newer homes have an open floor plan which means that your lighting fixtures will need to be somewhat coordinated. You can mix and match metal finishes, but it’s recommended to not use more than three different finishes that are within eyesight of each other. Mixing size is fine too – large in the living spaces, small or medium in the kitchen, and small or medium in the dining room. This helps create an inviting atmosphere. You will want to avoid mixing something ultra-modern with something ultra-traditional. The goal is to maintain balance when mixing styles and avoid extremes.

Chandeliers

Whether for the kitchen or the dining room, consider it the jewelry for the ceiling. Since they are typically in the center, chandeliers want to be the center of attention: the diva of the dining room. They are as versatile as they are dramatic – they come in all colors, shapes and sizes and can be added to any design aesthetic. The right chandelier can make a room feel luxurious, moody, bright, rustic, modern, or anything in between. Chandeliers should hang about 7 feet from the floor. Higher if you have high ceilings.

Pendant Lighting

Pendant lights hang from the ceiling and can be used in many different rooms, not just the kitchen. Some use globes to reduce glare, others are fitted with shades that direct light downward. Pendants are used to provide additional task lighting over tables and work areas such as kitchen islands or to provide accent lighting over servers or display curios. They are also beautiful and can do their job while accenting the space. Hang pendants about 30-36 inches from the countertop and around 24 inches in between.

Wall Sconces

Wall sconces are a timeless style of lighting fixture that can complement existing lights by adding a layer of flattering ambient light. A wall sconce will never go out of style, and they have been in use for hundreds of years. The standard rule of thumb is that your wall sconce should be mounted 3/4 of the height of your ceiling height. Wall sconces can come in handy for a staircase or hallway that needs some extra light that overhead lighting does not reach.

Believe it or not, experts say the most common mistake made when selecting a lighting fixture is choosing one that is too small. Larger lights make a room feel more luxurious. Unless you’re strategically designing a minimal space, make sure the lights you select are large enough for your design aesthetic. So, when in doubt, go big! ●