There’s more to a home’s lighting fixtures than casting light. Different types of lighting serve different functions and create different feelings. Let’s look into a few DIY lighting ideas and home lighting upgrades that might give you a light bulb moment.
No amount of DIY lights can outshine the sun’s natural light, and of course, no DIY lighting option is more energy-efficient. During the day, just one strategically located window can give off as much light as dozens of light bulbs.
If your home has a southern exposure, you have an abundance of natural light to work with. South-facing homes tend to have the most light, but you could get light from every angle depending on how your house is situated. Keep your windows clean and consider filtering the light with blinds and curtains.
Taking full advantage of all that light can be as simple as sliding your reading chair near a south window, painting walls a light color, or using mirrors to bounce the light around, or as ambitious as installing bigger windows or adding skylights.
When you’re considering home lighting upgrades, keep in mind that different rooms may require different kinds of lighting. It helps to know the various types of bulbs, along with things called lumens and kelvins.
When selecting your lighting, you have a wide choice of light bulbs, each with its own unique features and benefits:
It’s worth noting that in 2023, legislation went into effect in the United States that will prohibit light bulbs with an energy efficiency of under 45 lumens per watt, which rules out most incandescent and halogen options commonly used. This ban will mean it will no longer be legal to manufacture, import, or sell such bulbs. Instead, consumers will be encouraged to switch to more energy-efficient LED Bulbs.
Lumens measure the brightness of a bulb. The higher the lumen rating, the brighter the light. When choosing a light bulb, consider the room’s size how it’s used.
Kelvin (K) is a measure of a light source’s color temperature. Lower kelvin values produce a warmer, yellowish light, while higher values give off a cooler, bluish light.
Living room: The living room may need ambient, task, and accent lighting. Go with LED or CFL bulbs with a color temperature of 2700 – 3000 K (warm white) and a brightness level between 1500 – 3000 lumens.
Kitchen: In the kitchen, you want bright, functional lighting. That means LED or halogen bulbs with 3000 – 4000 K (neutral white) and 3000 – 4000 lumens.
Dining Room: Warm the dining room with LED or incandescent bulbs with a color temperature of 2700 – 3000 K (warm white) and a brightness level from 3000 – 6000 lumens.
Bedroom: Relax the bedroom using LED or CFL bulbs with a color temperature of 2700 –3000 K (warm white) and 1000 – 2000 lumens.
Bathroom: For bathrooms, go bright and functional with LED or halogen bulbs with a color temperature of 3000 – 4000 K (neutral white) and 2000 – 4000 lumens.
Dimmers switches can change a room’s entire mood of a room with just a touch. Installing a dimmer switch is a simple DIY project.
Smart lights are Wi-Fi-enabled devices that connect to the internet via wireless networks. You can set timers for your lights and program them to turn on at set times, sync them with sunrise and sunset, dim or change their color, control groups of lights on more than one circuit, have them turn on and off based on motion, even control them using voice commands.
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If your home has a southern exposure, you have an abundance of natural light to work with. South-facing homes tend to have the most light, but you could get light from every angle depending on how your house is situated. Keep your windows clean and consider filtering the light with blinds and curtains.
Taking full advantage of all that light can be as simple as sliding your reading chair near a south window, painting walls a light color, or using mirrors to bounce the light around, or as ambitious as installing bigger windows or adding skylights.
Think about placing your light fixtures where they draw attention and fit the style and space of the room. A chandelier could work in a larger room, while distinctive floor lamps can light up smaller rooms.
For the right balance, give every space three or more light sources. You’ll be able to adjust the brightness level and highlight special design details you’ve added to the room.
Place your light fixtures strategically, and you can use mirrors, glossy floors and metallic finishes to bounce light around the room.
Lampshades can make a real impact on a room. Light-colored shades diffuse light while dark-colored shades concentrate it. A new shade also adds a pop of color.
The right DIY lighting can brighten not only every room in your home, but the mood of every family member who lives there. If you want your mood as a homeowner to be calm and worry-free, look into an American Home Shield® warranty that offers coverage for parts of up to 23 home systems and appliances. It can help make for a more worry-free, enjoyable home owning experience. It’s all about protecting your time, your money, and your way of living.
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