5 Ways to Beautify Your Home With Light Fixtures

Your home is a reflection of your personality. It's where you relax after a long day, where you entertain guests, and where raise your family. You want your home to be beautiful and comfortable - and what better way to achieve that than with light fixtures? Here are five ways to beautify your home with light fixtures.

Allow in Natural Light

Natural light is the best light. Not only is it free, but it also has health benefits. So, let in as much natural light as possible if you can. But sometimes that's not possible - especially if you live in an urban area or have large windows that let in too much heat. In those cases, light fixtures are the next best thing.

Choose light fixtures that mimic natural light, like wall sconces or chandeliers. And when it comes to bulb type, LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient and longest-lasting - perfect for those hard-to-reach places. You can also buy daylight bulbs to mimic the brightness of the sun in your home. Just be cautious when utilizing these bulbs in rooms meant for relaxation, such as the bedroom.

Implement Dimmers

Dimmers are a great way to set the mood in your home. Whether hosting a dinner party or just relaxing with a good book, dimmers allow you to adjust the light level to create the perfect ambiance. When choosing a dimmer, make sure to get one that is compatible with your light fixture and bulbs. Always do a home electrical safety check when installing a dimmer to avoid potential hazards.

Use Ambient Lights

Ambient lights instead of overhead lights for a more relaxing and comfortable feel in your home. Overhead lights can be harsh and unforgiving, whereas ambient lights are softer and diffused. You can use ambient lights in any room, but they're especially well-suited for bedrooms and living rooms. Wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps are all excellent choices for ambient lighting.

Layer Lighting

Layers of lighting create a balancing effect. Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lights to achieve the perfect balance in your home. Ambient lights provide overall illumination, while task lights are focused on a specific area - like a desk or kitchen counter. Accent lights highlight particular features, like paintings or architectural elements.

Consider Scale

Lighting fixtures come in all shapes and sizes. When choosing a light fixture for your home, it's important to consider scale. A small fixture in a large room will get lost, while a large fixture in a small room can be overwhelming. The best way to choose the right-sized fixture is to measure the space first. Ensure you leave some breathing room - you don't want your light fixture too close to any furniture or walls.

Light fixtures are a great way to add beauty and comfort to your home. Proper planning allows you to use light fixtures to create the perfect ambiance for any occasion. So don't be afraid to experiment; you could be surprised at the difference the right light fixture can make.

Decorating with Low Levels of Natural Light

Finding your own personal style and putting a unique touch on your home is something that everyone can enjoy. Even still, there can be structural roadblocks that keep you from achieving the look you’re really after. 

If you’re one of the people who deals with the common issue of low levels of natural light in your home, you don’t have to accept dim lighting just yet. Keep reading as we provide some tips and suggestions for decorating homes that don’t have great sources of natural light. 

Use Light-Colored Paint

If you have a home that is low in natural light sources, the last thing you’ll want to do is work against the already limited brightness by painting your walls in darker colors that absorb the light. Instead, go for paint colors that are lighter and can reflect the natural light that does enter your home when you’re looking to re-decorate. 

You don’t have to just stick to white either. If you’re looking for a pop of color, yellows and tans are both great hues that are warm and bright enough to make any room feel cheery. Plus, painting the ceiling a bright white color can help open up the room and give the illusion of height in any space.

Add Metallic Elements

Another great way that you can take advantage of the natural light that does enter the room is to decorate with metallic elements that reflect the light and make the space appear brighter. Compared to other design elements that may absorb the light and keep the room feeling dull and drab, metallic pieces like mirrors, shiny wallpapers, and other mirrored accessories help make the room feel larger. 

You’ll want to place the larger mirrors or glossy objects on the wall opposite the window where the most light shines in. This ensures you’re getting the most out of all the light that enters the room, while also making the piece a focal point that attracts the eye. 

Supplement with Artificial Lighting

At the end of the day, the above tips and tricks for dealing with poor natural lighting can only go so far. So if you’re still wanting your space to feel brighter, you can add artificial lighting sources throughout the room to give it a warm and illuminated atmosphere. 

Plus, you can find lamps, sconces, and overhead fixtures that are decorative and provide both added light and extra design elements to any room. Pay close attention to any corners or areas that are particularly dark, and space out the artificial lighting accordingly to maximize brightness levels without overpowering the natural lighting that is already present.

Of course, this is not a comprehensive list of all the ways you can deal with low levels of natural light in your home. Other ways you can go about increasing the brightness of any room is to decorate with furniture in lighter colors, keep windows clean from grime and debris, and add greenery outside of the windows. By implementing any of these tips, you’re on your way to a more illuminated home. 

Guest Post - 5 Lighting Techniques To Efficiently Brighten Up Small Spaces

Lighting within a space can make a night-and-day difference in its overall atmosphere. When working with smaller and more confined spaces, it’s especially important to be strategic in your choice of lighting to optimally brighten the area. Certain lighting techniques can illuminate smaller spaces more effectively than others. 

Lighting choices can be customized to fit any aesthetic, all while keeping the size of the space in mind. The following techniques will help you optimize your lighting and create ambience within a smaller space. 

1. Dazzle Your Space with Chandeliers 

Chandeliers might seem too large for small spaces but they can be designed to maximize their illuminating effect. Choose something with an open design so none of the light is blocked like a modern rustic chandelier. Or if you have a more extravagant style, adding something with lots of glass or crystal pieces can help refract the light and brighten your space. Chandeliers can bring a note of elegance and sophistication to any size space.

Available in various styles, they can be designed with either stand-alone bulbs, or bulbs that are contained within clear glass, acrylic, or other unobtrusive material such as thin brass wiring. Lighting can even be further enhanced, creating sparkle, as crystal chandeliers with surrounding crystal prisms. 

2. Make a Statement with Stunning Pendant Lights.

When working with a smaller space, it’s especially important to keep size and proportion in mind. Perfect for both their dimension and design, pendant lights are a great option for lighting up a smaller area without overcrowding the space. 

In order to get the most out of your pendant light fixture, opt for something without a shade so none of the light gets blocked. If a shade is a must, choose a wide design to disperse the light as much as possible. Other designs might feature an open lantern style to allow plenty of light through the glass or even crystal elements that enhance and reflect light throughout your space.

Both space-savvy and stylish, pendant lights are simple and minimalistic in their design—taking up very little room while offering optimal illumination. 

3. Illuminate From All Around with Wall Sconces

Sconces are versatile wall mounted fixtures that are especially perfect for smaller spaces. Tasteful, functional, and refined, wall sconces can be discreetly positioned and don’t take up any of your high-value floor space. 

Whether you choose a more minimalist and sleek design or a luxurious fixture like the one below, these small lights can make a big impact on a space. Sconces reflect light off the walls they’re installed on and sometimes even the ceiling. Depending on your budget and tastes, you can opt for sconces with one bulb or multiple bulbs for even more light.

Wall sconces can even function as task-oriented lighting in certain rooms of your home. For instance, installing the right sconces adjacent to your bathroom vanity mirror can elevate the space and offer extra lighting while you’re getting ready. Likewise, sconces can add a tasteful touch of lighting to illuminate some of your favorite artwork on the wall. 

4. Brighten Dark Corners with Standing Lamps

A great way to illuminate all corners of a smaller room is to situate light sources wherever they’re needed most. By placing standing lamps in darker corners, you eliminate shadow traps in the room and open up the space so it appears much bigger when it’s all lit up. 

If the natural lighting in your space shifts throughout the day, consider getting an adjustable lamp that you can position differently depending on where you need the light. Classic standing lamp designs use lamp shades, but it’s important to consider getting a shade with a wide opening on the top and the bottom, like the ones below. This allows the light to brighten the space in both directions. 

Additionally, standing lamps are generally easy to move around and adapt to the design of your space any time you feel like changing up your setup. 

5. Add Light and Heat with a Fireplace

Adding a fireplace is yet another way to add light–and warmth–to a smaller space. Depending on the fireplace and the way it's incorporated into the space, they can take up very little room. Installing a modern fireplace can be a perfect way to add a focal point to the room, and even add more surface area to display artwork or other accent pieces on the mantel. 

When working with smaller spaces that may otherwise feel cramped, opt for an electric fireplace that will take up little floor and wall space. These fireplaces won’t be obtrusive but will still illuminate the room and create a cozy feeling. What’s more, many modern fireplaces can be installed to have different control settings, allowing you to set whatever ambience you want, whenever you want.

Conclusion

We know your options are limited when working with a space that’s small and compact. Lighting can work wonders to not only brighten up a room, but create an illusion of more openness and space within otherwise confining walls. 

Any of the above mentioned lighting techniques are sure to help you transform your small space into a warm and inviting one with the powerful effect of proper lighting. Use any technique, or a combination of them, to liven up your space with some strategic illumination. 

Author Bio: 

Carolyn Mitchell is a freelance writer and content strategist with a passion for home décor. She can often be found re-painting and updating the furnishings in her home, and she is also a dedicated cat mom to two adorable kitties.

Top Energy Conservation Tips for Your Homes Lighting

We partnered with a solar company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Lighting in a home is just as essential as running water. Your home is your sanctuary and it’s important to have lighting that complements your aesthetic, decor, and energy conservation needs! Let’s take a look at some of the top energy conservation tips that you can practice at home.

Heating and Cooling Systems Maintenance

Practice cleaning or replacing your filters on a regular basis, at least once a month. When the filters of your heating and cooling systems are dirty, your system has to work harder to do its job. Letting your filters go without cleaning maintenance for too long can also encourage mold and mildew build up. So, in a nutshell, cleaning your filters often will save you money and time in the long run. 

If cleaning your filters is not a part of your regular routine, you can easily implement it by adding it to your list of other household items that need to be cleaned on a monthly basis. Clean your filters when you clean your ceiling fans, walls, windows, and other items of that sort. Once you start the routine, it’ll stick and seem like less of a chore.

Upgrade Your Appliances

Older appliances have a tendency to use much more energy than newer models. Refrigerators that are more than 10 years old may use up to 50% more energy! While you may think you’re saving money by holding on to what seems to be a perfectly working refrigerator, you may be losing money in the end. Upgrade your appliances when necessary to ensure you’re owning the most energy efficient models possible. 

Make Lighting Useful

There’s no need for a light to be on in a room if no one is going to be in it. Practice turning off lights while not in use to save energy. And while you’re at it, switch all of the lights in your house to LED lights. LED lights emit light much more efficiently than traditional incandescent light bulbs. 

This tip isn’t necessarily a conservation tip but it’s equally important. Use lighting in your home that you absolutely love. The truth is, your electricity bill will always have a tab on it, even if it’s a small one. Make sure that the lighting in your home is lighting you love seeing on a daily basis.

Are you happy to come home? Are you proud when guests stop by? If you’re not, definitely spend a little more time considering the lighting in your home. While lights are not a painting or sculpture, they are still artistic and can be used as decor elements. 

Mindful Baking and Cooking

If you love baking, you should also love keeping the oven closed while in use. Every time the over door is opened, temperatures can drop by an entire 25 to 30 degrees. Meaning, your oven will have to repeatedly work to remain at the temperature you originally set for it. 

Another great tip to conserve energy while baking is to avoid placing aluminum foil at the bottom of the oven to catch drippings from your tasty dishes. Foil can interfere with those magical browning powers that your oven has, as well as, block air circulation and heat. 

If you’re more interested in the stove top, we have some great tips for you too. Use pot tops as often as possible to bring liquids to a boil faster and cook food more quickly. Using a pot top will ensure all of the heat stays exactly where it needs to be to complete your dish at a fast and tasty rate. 

Water Heaters and Clothes Dryers

If you’re able to gauge the times you’re going to take showers, practice turning your water heater off when it won’t be in use for long periods of time. In the typical household, the shower is usually in use during mornings before school and work and evenings before bed time. There’s no need for your water heater to be on while your family is out and about during the day. 

If possible, dry loads of clothes back to back to take advantage of your dryer's built up heat. Another great practice is to clean your lint filter after you’re done with each load. This practice will help your dryer to dry your clothes more efficiently and also save you from having a heap of lint to clean over time. 

Consider Eco-Friendly Home Energy Solutions

When it comes to enhancing your home's energy efficiency, considering alternative solutions beyond traditional lighting methods can significantly impact your energy bills and carbon footprint. One such innovative approach involves harnessing the power of residential solar panel systems. These systems consist of solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity, allowing you to illuminate your living spaces and generate clean energy. Integrating residential photovoltaic systems into your home's lighting strategy allows you to tap into renewable energy sources while minimizing your reliance on conventional power grids. In this article, we'll delve into how these systems work, their benefits, and how you can seamlessly integrate them into your home, ushering in a new era of sustainable lighting and energy conservation.

Practice Makes Perfect

If you’re not accustomed to practicing most of these tips, there’s no need to worry. Practice makes perfect! You can always go the extra step and make daily energy conservation reminders for your family. Place your tips on the refrigerator or hallway so everyone can be aware of your new system. Cheers to saving energy and having a happier home!