Interior lighting can make the difference between dark, cave-like rooms of years gone by and the bright, modern rooms we enjoy today. The right kind of lighting can drastically alter the feeling of a room and make it far more pleasant to spend time in. When you’re installing or replacing lighting, it’s good to know some basic facts about lighting to make smart decisions.

There are three types of basic lighting: ambient, which is background lighting that keeps a room from being too dark in general, task lighting for close-up work or hobbies, and accent lighting to highlight important and unique features in your home. A mixture of these types of lighting is important to maintain in a well-lit home. Here are five tips on home interior lighting.

Image via: Bryant Hill

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1. Staircase lighting is important

Though often neglected and left to last on lists of new lights to purchase, staircases need to be well-lit for obvious reasons. They tend to be built in corners and have angles that make them hard to light, so spotlight lighting placed in the ceiling isn’t enough – angles block the light and you will block it when you stand between the spotlight and stairs. Directional lights on every few steps at floor-level will aim the light where it needs to go.

2. Spotlights can light up corners and features

If you have any architectural quirks to highlight in your home or want to brighten a corner, a spotlight is a good choice. They can be installed with a different switch so they aren’t on the same circuit as ceiling lights in your rooms. Periphery lights can be attached to a different circuit, and you can leave just the peripheral lights on when watching movies or for mood lighting.

Image via: Virtual Imaging Real Estate Photography

3. Kitchen lighting is important for safety

In the kitchen, you need to be able to chop vegetables safely but you don’t want to be blinded by reflections on shiny surfaces like pots and pans. An overhead light on a dimmer is a great choice so you can keep it soft or turn it up based on your activities such as cooking, homework, or eating. Lower sources can be installed near each work surface, and pendants and under-cabinet lights fill in missing spots.

4. Bathroom lighting covers different activities

In the bathroom, you will need lights around the mirror in order to apply makeup, shave, and do other closeup tasks, but these bright lights are overwhelming when you’re trying to relax and wash up in the bath. Use sidelights or sconces on either side of the mirror plus an overhead light, and consider softer sconce lights on the walls near the bath.

Image via: DKOR Interiors Inc.

5. Mix up the light in your living room

Most living areas have different seating areas that should be lit differently. Sofas can use swing-arm lights like libraries might have to provide reading light, and armchairs are usually bright enough with a nearby lamp. Of course, most living rooms require a lot of light in different areas and too many lampshades will make a room look funny. Make sure you choose the right lampshades to avoid this!

Interior lighting for your home can turn it from a frustrating, gloomy spot you leave as soon as possible in the morning to a place to relax and lounge on weekend mornings. If you find yourself squinting a lot in your house, it probably needs better lighting choices.

Anne McKenna has extensive experience in interior design. Her articles mainly appear in home design blogs. Visit the www.keslighting.co.uk site for more ideas.

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Happy DIY Saturday and welcome to Stagetecture’s new look! Today I thought it only fitting to talk about beautifying your kitchen or bath can lights with new pendant lighting. In many homes can lights may not be lending enough light or you might prefer the upscale look of a pendant fixture. Today – get easy steps to switch out the old pendants and install modern pendant lighting.

Image via: Andrew Howard

Watch a video that shows you step by step how to change your lighting fixtures.

How to Convert a Can Light to a Pendant Light

Link to You Tube video –> How to Convert a Can light to a Pendant light

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Step by Step – How to Convert a Can Light to a Pendant Light

Thanks HGTV for this step by step guide on how to change out a recessed can light to a pendant lighting fixture.

Image via: ML Interior Design

Materials Needed:

recessed-fixture converter kit
small ceiling medallion
hanging light fixture
circuit tester
Phillips-head screwdriver
painter’s tape
ladder
Purchase a recessed-fixture converter kit, ceiling medallion and light fixture.

Directions:

1. Select Recessed Light to Convert

Choose a location to hang new light fixture. Turn off power for this location by switching off breaker.

2. Remove Recessed Fixture

Remove existing recessed fixture by twisting out light bulb, turning and removing casing and releasing clips that hold recessed light shell to socket. Leave existing socket in place.

3. Install Recessed Fixture Converter

Follow kit instructions to install converter. Use circuit tester to ensure power is off.

4. Prepare New Fixture

Prepare to hang new light fixture by connecting cap to fixture with chain link. Thread wires through fixture stem at cap and ceiling medallion center.

Image via: DIY Network

5. Connect Wiring

Join wires of the converter kit to corresponding wires of new fixture, following light fixture directions.

6. Test Connection

Install light bulb and switch on power at breaker to test that wiring has been connected properly. Confirm and switch off breaker.

7. Tape Ceiling Medallion

Attach ceiling medallion with clean-release tape. This temporarily secures medallion in place while finishing installation of fixture. Tip: Typically the hole left by a recessed fixture is larger than most caps, making necessary the use of a ceiling medallion to cover difference. A medallion is not needed if installing a ceiling-mount fixture.

8. Complete Installation of Fixture

Following directions for specific fixture used, complete installation and attach fixture cap flush to ceiling. Remove tape. Switch power on at circuit breaker.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Your kitchen needs the most light of any room, as it is undoubtedly the most functional place in a house. Unfortunately, people tend to either under-light the place, leaving one standing in shadows, or over-light by using too much wattage. In fact, a kitchen should have proper lighting with plenty of task lights to cover the work areas. So, let’s see how can you brighten up your kitchen with right type of light fixing.

Image via: Venegas and Company

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Mix Different Types of Lighting

A clever combination of different lighting types such as natural, ceiling, and under cabinet lights benefit a kitchen most. Underabinet lights helps brightening the workspaces apart from augmenting the general lighting and recessed lights give general illumination by being uniformly spaced on the ceiling. On the other hand, a chandelier on the ceiling ensures concentrated task lights in the kitchen.

Consider the Color of Lighting

While the size of the kitchen determines the number of fixtures to be needed, the color also plays an important part in this matter. A light color like bright white may let you reduce the number of fixtures or at least, lower the bulbs’ wattage. White-colored walls, ceiling, and countertops can offer a well-illuminated kitchen by expanding the light provided by the bulbs. On the other hand, a dark color will absorb light and you have to use more light fixtures to illuminate the place.

Image via: Baker Court Interiors

Under Cabinet Lighting

You can choose either xenon or fluorescent lights for undercabinet lighting. Lighting fixtures in this place help shedding even light across the countertop, allowing the cook to see his or her workstation clearly. The height of the fixture should be equal to that of the shelf and the lights’ color should be such to make the foods and everything else appearing pleasing and natural.

A hidden spotlight can be used in the dishwashing area. A theatrical effect will be created especially if the over-the-sink area is made of beautiful tiles.

Ceiling Lighting

Choosing a ceiling light can be a daunting task, as there are hundreds of different styles to fit every kind of décor. Pendant lamps are also a good choice for this purpose. Stylish pendants change the look of a kitchen within a moment. While these lights are usually hung at a certain height, you can also use adjustable cable pendants for adding interest to the space. A chandelier is also a perfect fit for this function, as such lights are no more limited to dining rooms only.

You can use monorail lighting too that are highly stylish but practical. It can be bent around any curved surface to create salient contour patterns. This lighting system can be mounted in any location, even under irregular ceilings.

Image via: Arcadian Home

Choosing lighting doesn’t have to be difficult. Choose lighting that inspires you while provides sufficient and ample light ton create a kitchen you love to be in.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Do you want to make a quick enhancement in your home interior? There’s nothing more effective than adding a stylish chandelier on top. This decorative lighting fixture provides an attractive and elegant look in your home without doing much of the renovation.

Image via Dreamy Whites

There are so many designs that chandeliers can offer for your interior. Not only that it adds additional attraction but also improves the illumination of your home interior. Needless to say, the brightness that a chandelier illuminates to your home interior makes it more elegant and comfortable especially in the evening. With so many designs to choose from, you will never get enough in getting the best for your home interior.

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Black crystal chandeliers

This is perfect for people who wanted to have superb elegance with the reflections coming from the chandelier. It illuminates a shinning and the shimmering effect in your interior. The black crystal chandelier is great when paired with dark walls and red curtains.

Branch bronze shallow chandeliers

This type of chandelier provides a stunning look at your home interior. It is very elegant and stylish. The branch bronze shallow chandelier is great when you want to have a brilliant light coming from your chandelier. It is perfect for home interior that has wall colors like white, yellow and red.

Image via Sutton Suzuki Architects

Modern multiple light chandeliers

The modern multiple light chandeliers are best for high ceilings that can provide the space needed for its curves and angles. This type usually comes in huge sizes but there are several designs that can fit a limited space. You can choose from a variety of lighting fixtures that will match your home interior design or theme.

Take your time to explore and choose the right chandelier for your home interior. It is recommended to consider the dimension of your room, color scheme and theme of your interior.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.