Want to instantly make your home brighter, safer, and more welcoming? A few simple lighting upgrades can do just that. Whether you’re creating a cozy atmosphere in the living room, brightening up your kitchen workspace, or making sure hallways and staircases are well-lit to prevent accidents, improving your home’s lighting can make all the difference. Not only does good lighting boost mood and productivity, but it also enhances safety and adds value. Ready to see your home in a whole new light? Read on.
Enhance your natural light.
Sunlight is free, and there are ways to maximize how much light is naturally in your home. Make sure your windows are clean as a first step. Then try some of these tips.
- Use sheer curtains on your windows rather than heavy drapes. Try curtains or blinds that can be pulled back or opened wide to let the light in.
- Paint your walls lighter colors and your ceilings white. You’ll be surprised at how much that can lighten up a space.
- Place mirrors in hallways or corners to reflect the natural light coming in your windows. Other glossy surfaces have a similar effect, so consider adding silky fabrics, wallpaper with a sheen, or glass tables and objects.
- Make sure nothing is blocking your windows inside or out. Move furniture. Trim bushes. Clear the way for more sunshine.
Consider the type of lighting.
Not all lighting is the same. Knowing the types will help you determine which works best for each space in your home.
- Ambient describes general lighting. This is usually the main source of light, when you flip the light switch as you enter a room. It is a foundation for the lighting of your rooms. You can then add lighting as you see fit.
- Task lighting illuminates an area for a specific task. These are typically brighter lights for seeing clearly as you are cooking or while you’re in the bathroom. Task lighting could also be the desk lamp that you use for your home office or a table lamp for reading while the rest of the room is lit by ambient light.
- Accent lighting draws attention to pieces of art or an architectural feature of a room. It draws the eye in that direction.
- Decorative lighting offers the finishing touch to your home’s décor. This type of lighting typically includes wall sconces, chandeliers, hanging pendant lights, and floor and table lamps.
Pay attention to the bulbs.
Bulbs range in brightness and in color—and different choices can really change the feel of a room. Energy efficiency is also a factor in light bulb selection, as it can save you money over time. There are a lot of choices on the market so do your research for the right bulbs for your home.
- Warm white light works best for relaxing. Look for bulbs that are 2000 Kelvin (K) to 3000 K.
- Cool bright light looks the most like daylight. Look for bulbs that are 4500 K and above.
- Neutral light or bright white light, ranging from 3100 K – 4500 K, is for areas that require focus: kitchens, home offices, and bathrooms.
- Bulbs are measured by lumens and watts. The more lumens a bulb has, the brighter the light will be. The more watts a bulb has, the more energy it will use.
- Incandescent bulbs used to be the industry standard. They are not as energy efficient as other kinds of bulbs. Halogen light bulbs use less energy. Fluorescents are popular for kitchens and offices. LED bulbs are longer lasting and energy efficient. Smart versions of LED bulbs can be adjusted remotely for brightness and timing.
Pro Tip: Chances are you have three or four different types of light bulbs with different color temperatures throughout your home (and possibly even in the same room). Replace them with one kind for a more cohesive look.
Layer your lighting.
You will benefit from having several types of lighting in each room, so you have multiple options for different moods and tasks.
- Consider the activities that will take place in the room and the need for lighting. Use the ambient light as the base.
- Include brighter lights for tasks, which can be turned off or dimmed when you do not need them.
- Add an accent lamp on the table or floor for softer and more flattering lighting. Try a new lampshade. Light colored shades help diffuse light. Dark colored shades will concentrate it.
Pay attention to placement.
You can use lighting to help define your space by strategically placing it throughout the room, at different levels – on a table, floor, and hanging from the ceiling.
- Consider LED strips under cabinets to illuminate counters.
- For larger rooms, cluster the lighting to break the space into cozier areas.
- To make a room appear wider, place lamps in the corners.
- Point your light fixtures toward walls and ceilings, which can diffuse harsh light and reduce glare.
Install motion sensor lights.
Motion sensor lights enhance home safety by automatically lighting dark areas when movement is detected.
- Install them in hallways and stairwells, which are prime places for slip, trip and fall accidents.
- Use plug-in night lights with motion sensors.
- Battery operated LED light strips are available if you don’t have outlets in these spaces.
- Motion sensor lights are also effective outside your home. A sudden light can alert you to movement on your property and deter intruders.
Use smart lights and dimmers.
Smart lights and dimmers offer customizable, energy-efficient lighting solutions that adapt to your mood, schedule, and lifestyle with just a tap or voice command.
- With smart options, you can set up routines for changing lighting throughout the day and evening.
- You can control your lighting from anywhere via an app, adjusting for color and brightness.
- Dimmers also are available with manual switches. Dimming lights helps you save on your energy bill.
Add exterior fixtures for safety.
Exterior lights provide visibility around entry points, driveways, and walkways outside your home to enhance security.
- Walk your perimeter at night. Identify the dark spaces you want to illuminate.
- Try sconces for a side door or garage door.
- Landscape lighting is effective for a walkway and is available in solar and battery powered options.
- Consider smart lighting solutions for the outside that can be controlled remotely from inside or wherever you happen to be.
Your home is one of your greatest investments. Make sure to protect it with the right insurance.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
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