Picking a Lighting Scheme that Works for You and Your Home

To the casual observer, picking home lighting may seem like a hopelessly boring endeavor. I mean, c'mon, it's just lighting. All lighting does is serve as a way for you and your family to see what you're doing when it dark, right? How different and exciting can that really be?

Strangely, picking the correct lighting can be a lot more exciting and creative then you might think. All light is not created equal, just as all lighting fixtures are not cut from the same cloth. Besides a wide variety of wattage and bulb designs, there is style and elegance to decide, as even the type of light switches you have can change the way your room feels. There is a big difference between what dimmer and traditional switches can do for your living room or bedroom.

When considering lighting for your house, there is one simple question you must ask yourself first: what are you looking to get out of your lights? Are you merely looking for a way to light your place, or is this about giving your room a certain feeling or mood? Some people might look towards simple lamps for their tables so that they can read when the sun goes down, or maybe some larger floor lighting fixtures to light up the room. Others might be thinking a little bigger with hanging light fixtures on the ceiling, or even bringing in someone to install new lighting into their ceiling. That kind of thing can change the entire feeling of a room.

Another key thing to think about when considering what kind of lighting to bring to your home is finding a fixture that will match your surrounding design and themes. For example, most people wouldn't put a giant brown light fixture into an all white room, or old style Victorian lamp into an ultra modern designed room. Same goes for installing lights into a ceiling as both design and wattage can redefine your room. Shadow's can either appear or disappear quickly thanks to the angles at which these lights are installed. Installing a dimmer switch could turn your living room from a dimly lit romance den for date night, into a bright and accessible area for a Monday Night football party the next.

Regardless of your wants and needs, picking home lighting designs and fixtures are a much more personal endeavor then one might originally think. The key is to just to take it slow and to think through it. Don't be afraid to try designs and bulbs out and be willing to change it if needed. That way you'll be happy with your final product.

Author Kimberly Green has experience with interior decorating and specializes in residential home lighting