1. Under Cabinet Lighting:
Often cited as a top remodeling project in terms of high return on investment, installing under cabinet lights is always a great decision. It provides task lighting to make cooking and cleaning easier and accent lighting to highlight a beautiful backsplash or countertop. At night, the glow from an under cabinet light is particularly alluring. Check out our post on How to Choose Under Cabinet Lighting.
2. Energy Efficient Lighting:
Everyone loves lowering their monthly energy bill. Whether you’re switching out those old incandescent bulbs for CFLs, trying super-efficient LED cabinet lighting, or using fluorescent light fixtures for a closet or display case, energy efficiency is the way to go. Besides, today’s incandescent bulbs will no longer be available for sale in the US by 2014 due to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Go green!
3. Recessed Cans:
Recessed lighting fixtures are understated, tasteful, and always provide a layer of general lighting to complement any room. For this reason, they are a staple to lighting design. But they don’t have to blend in completely: you can also choose a bold or colorful trim for a recessed light to create a more dramatic effect.
Recessed LED lights have become very popular – they give off superior light quality, can last 23 years, and use between 50-85% less energy than comparable downlights.
4. Dimmers:
There’s no better way to set the ambiance in a room than to install a dimmer. And they’re not just for the dining room: Dimmers in the bathroom will soften the light as you wake up first thing in the morning or provide an atmosphere for a calming bath. Dimmers in the living room or den reduce eye strain from the glare of a TV at night. You’ll also increase the life of your bulb by using a dimmer and save on energy. What’s not to love?
5. Outdoor Step Lights:
They provide an element of landscape lighting that enhances your property. Perhaps more importantly, they improve security. Falls are the foremost cause of home injury, and step lights reduce that risk. Well-lit homes are also less likely to be robbed. Step lights are incredibly easy to install and are available with convenient features like motion or dusk-to-dawn sensors.
Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!
Hey, great ideas. I think the idea of ‘going green’ is so good. Let’s be sure to think about safety, as well. A great little ebook revealing various safety issues with lighting is available for just $3. It’s a worthwhile investment for good assurance of safety. The ebook is called “Lighting Safety 2012”. Read more about it at this website.
Hi:
I have a family room located in a dark basement and am looking for your assistance with recessed lighting. The room is 28 X10 and the ceiling is 7 feet high. I have never used them before and am unsure of their placement other than three feet from the wall and 3.5 feet apart. My question is are they spaced around the room in a rectangle shape with no lighting in the middle. Love your blog.
Maggie,
You can create a perimeter around the room using the spacing guidelines you mention. It’s always good to start at a ‘focal’ point. For example, if you have a specific area where you will be reading, that would be a good place to start the perimeter.
You can also place recessed lights in the middle of the room. This will allow for more even illuminating throughout the space.
It’s a good practice to overlight the room and install dimmers so you can set the light level exactly where it’s needed.
Be sure to read this blog post and comments for more help: http://blog.pegasuslighting.com/2010/09/how-to-layout-recessed-lighting-in-4-easy-steps/#at_pco=cfd-1.0