Light Up Your Living Space

Light Up Your Living Space: Light fixtures and ideas for modern homes

By Lauren Charley

Lighting inside a house is a necessity, but the fixtures you choose to adorn your home define the overall look of a space whether it be plain, old-fashioned, contemporary, or elegant. With so many options including chandeliers, pot lights, and pendants, builders consider lighting as an integral part of the overall design.

In 2019, modern lighting stores carry an array of options for home owners including dozens of styles, with options to select what type of bulbs you use and how you source your electricity which can have a drastic impact on your energy bills.

Lighting is not just essential to a residence, but is also a decorative part of the interior design.

Chandeliers

When you imagine walking into the grand entranceway of a millionaire’s estate home, you picture a huge chandelier with crystals hanging at least two stories above the floor. These grand chandeliers are associated with mansions not only because of the expensive materials they are made from, but also the hassle and expense it is to clean them. However, a ‘chandelier’ by definition is a branched ornamental light fixture, with no specific guide to size or structure.

Lighting stores carry an array of options for even small homes to install a chandelier which will match the look of an entrance or living space. From fancy crystals to metal frames with metallic finishes, spikes, and abstract designs, there are numerous options for you to add one of these fancy light fixtures to your home.

Flush Mount

Flush mounts are the most common types of lights in residential spaces. There are two types: a flush mount, where there is no gap between the light fixture and the ceiling, and a semi-flush, which has a stem that creates a gap.

From clean and contemporary, to unique and bold, there are options for flush mount lights which will suit any style of residence.

Pot Lights

Built into a hollow opening in the ceiling, pot lights are simple choices for contemporary homes. Rather than the light itself being an adornment, they typically are used as a light source which blends into the room, and highlights the furniture, art and features. The installation is far more intricate than other types of fixtures, and often requires the help of a professional electrician to know the wiring and suggest the best placement.

Pendants

Pendant or ‘drop’ lights, are standalone lights which hang from a ceiling, suspended by a chord or metal rod. They are often used over kitchen islands, as a way to provide a bright light source directly above the surface area. Modern pendants come in a variety of materials, sizes and shapes. The fluid, curvy, teardrop style is often the most aesthetically pleasing, made from artisan glass and metal. The shape of your pendant light is integral, as the narrow tears and cylinders produce ambient lighting, whereas dome-shape and drums provide more illumination.

Sconces

A sconce is a light fixed to the side of a wall, providing illumination upwards, downwards, or in both directions. These fixtures use the wall for their support and do not have a base, therefore they require an electrical box to be installed. Modern sconces can be made of glass or metal and range from trendy or timeless in design. The idea is an adaptation from traditional torches or candles in times before electricity.

Vintage-Inspired ‘Edison’ Lightbulbs

Antique light bulbs are an emerging trend in modern residences, especially those who want more of a ‘hipster vibe’ in their home. These modern reproductions of the wound filament bulbs made popular by the Edison Electric Light Company are designed to replicate the same bulb shape and light colour, while offering a more- energy efficient option. You can even get them in LED.

Choosing the Best Bulbs

LED bulbs last up to 50,000 hours and will use significantly less power than halogen bulbs. Not only are they more efficient and brighter, but they reduce electricity bills. These are the types of bulbs used inside the lighting fixtures you see installed in places like schools, hospitals, and factories where lights are constantly left on, as they are reliable and long-lasting.

“With the ever-evolving technology in LED lighting we, are able to create many different looks in numerous applications. Residential lighting is coming into its own with many fixtures appearing to be pieces of art showing curves and straight lines with a minimal amount of structure. This gives a modern feel along with an excellent light source. We are able to use LED technology in the smallest areas and create an amazing ambience behind fireplaces and back light feature walls and ceilings,” says Jenny Howlett, Manager at Distinctive Lighting. TM