Homeowner’s Guide to Backyard Lighting

by admin · Jun 24, 2023

Whether it’s a quiet family dinner or a formal party, the backyard can be a perfect hosting space. Kids have room to run around, hosts can invite more people, and no one has to vacuum at the end of the night. But when the sun starts to set – you’ll want to have thought ahead about how you can keep the party going without having to move inside.

Before you get started, take a minute to think about how what purpose your lights need to serve. Your outdoor lighting should be intentional and useful, not just a hodge-podge of tiki torches and solar-powered spikes. Balance is important – the right lighting will make your yard cozy and inviting. Not enough light and you’ll be tripping in the dark, too much light and it can create disorienting shadows, or lead to complaints from neighbors.

To help you get it just right, we’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help you put together your next backyard BBQ.

Stair and Floor Lights

The deck or patio area is central for meals or small-group gatherings. One popular approach to deck lighting is using stair lights. Not only are they elegant, but they also provide an important safety feature. They light the space gently without being distracting, and they make steps easy to see in the dark.

You can also install smaller lights on the floor of your deck. These lights can help brighten up corners and can also make your space safe when it’s dark outside.

Recessed Patio Lights

On covered decks and patios, recessed lights are a great option. They’re installed up inside the ceiling, so they’ll be well-protected from the elements. From a design standpoint – they’re the perfect choice to provide your patio with even all-over light that doesn’t get in the way of the view of your backyard. Make sure you double-check before you buy, not all recessed lights are rated for outdoor use.

String Lights

String lights are wildly popular – and for good reason. They are fast and easy to put up, and their effect is magical no matter where you put them! You can attach them to the exterior of your house, a deck railing, or anything tall enough to set them up overhead.

If you don’t have a patio or deck area, they can be strung on posts around a firepit, along a fence, or even in the trees and bushes surrounding your entertaining space.

Landscaping Lighting

You can use landscape lighting to show off the best features of your yard, even after the sun has gone down. Just like stair lighting, landscape lights are multi-functional as a design element and a safety feature. Many people opt for solar-powered lights to brighten walkways and highlight design features, but you can also hire an electrician to hardwire these lighting elements to a light switch you can flip on and off from the comfort of your patio.

There are countless shapes and sizes of landscape light fixtures to choose from. You may want to consult with an expert to recommend what will work for your yard space. However, there are a few general principles to keep in mind:

Don’t overdo it. Landscape lighting isn’t meant to mimic daytime, it should create just enough light to make the yard inviting at night.
Consider safety. Lighting pathways is a must if you’re using your backyard after dark – but make sure you do it safely. Keep lights out of the way of where you’re walking so that they don’t become trip hazards. Motion-sensor lights near doors and on sheds are also an important safety feature that can deter theft.
Choose your colors. White / daylight light will show colors just as they are during the day, but they can be pretty harsh. Yellow / warm / soft white light will give your yard a more cosy and relaxing feel, and it attracts fewer bugs.
Timers are your friend. If you’re planning a one-time party it’s not a big deal to flip the switch on and off, but if you’ll be in your backyard daily, consider putting your outdoor lights on a timer so that you won’t have to remember to flip them off before bed.
Look into LED. These bulbs may cost more upfront, but they’ll last much longer and use far less energy.

Your Backyard Plan

Illuminate Lighting’s showroom offers a great selection of outdoor lighting options, and our lighting experts would love to help you plan your backyard entertaining space and find exactly what you need. Stop by our showroom and see it for yourself, or check us out online and we’ll help you get started.

A Guide to the Basic Types of Light and How to Use Them In Your Home

by admin · Jun 17, 2023

Light is all around us, controls what we do and how our body runs. Yet, most people haven’t given much thought to the kinds of light that surround them. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of both as we explain how to use light to your advantage.

Types of Light in Interior Design

When we talk about interior design, there are a lot of different words that get tossed around about lighting. It can get a little confusing, but the good news is, if you can get down these main types of light you’ll be 90% good to go!

General/Ambient: This is the main source of light for a space. It fills the room with bright, balanced, even light. This usually comes from an overhead fixture centered in the room or an array of recessed lights.

Task: Task lighting is usually bright and used in combination with ambient light. It’s extra light that is strategically placed to add focused light to a workspace, like a kitchen counter or writing desk.

Accent: Accent light refers to light that is more about design than function. Spotlights, track lights, and strip LEDs can fall into this category. They often shine on artwork or architectural features like high ceilings or feature fireplaces. Although accent light does fill a function, the main value is decorative.

Mood: Mood lighting is generally soft, dim light. It encourages a calm or romantic atmosphere. Most often this is done with lamps, candles, or lights on dimmer switches.

When designing a lighting plan for your home, it’s important to create “layers” of light by including several types of lighting in each space. To see this in action, here’s a breakdown of the types of light found in this bedroom:

General/Ambient: Array of recessed lights along the ceiling

Task: Reading lamps on either side of the bed

Accent: LED light strip tucked around the edges of a coved ceiling, recessed lights shining on wall panel details, decorative sconces on wall centered around the dresser

Mood: Soft lights under closet doors, dimmer switches on several fixtures

This room is a great example of the way layered light adds to the design of a space without being overwhelming. Remember, you won’t usually be using all of these lights at the same time – but having options lets you customize the space for, however, you need to use it at the moment.

Other Types of Light

For most of your home projects, understanding the main types of lighting should be sufficient, but there are a few other lighting terms you may hear. Here are a few of the most popular terms:

Diffused Light

Properties: Gentle, encourages relaxation

Best locations: Bedrooms, tub, Living Room, Dining Room

Diffused light is a natural companion to warm light. This term refers to light that is scattered and doesn’t cast a hard shadow. You can create this effect through reflected or covered lighting. We’ll focus on the latter here and touch more on reflected light in the next section.

Breaking up light makes it less harsh and more relaxed, cozy. Popular design elements are boho wicker chandeliers, modern plastic-covered lights, or paper lanterns. Both allow for plenty of light but filter the harshness of the bulb.

The opposite of diffused light is hard light. This light shines directly from the source and casts a hard shadow. This light is often found in workspaces like the kitchen or office.

Reflected Light

Properties: Gentle, amplifies space

Best locations: Kitchen, Living Rooms, Bedrooms

This term has more to do with how light reacts in a design after it hits a surface in your home than with the source of the light. There are a few things that will affect how the light hits, and bounces off, the objects in your home.

Color

Light colors reflect light, and dark colors absorb light. You can make a room feel big and spacious with just a coat of light-colored paint on the walls and ceiling. If you go dark on your walls, you’ll often need to add additional light sources to keep your room from feeling small.

Finish

Smooth, glossy finishes like wood floors or metallic furniture will reflect light and bounce it back out into the room. Interiors with lots of glossy surfaces can get away with fewer light sources. If your room feels a little too bright – try adding in some softer, textured surfaces like a fabric sofa, a rug, pillows and blankets, or textured wall art.

Backlight

Properties: Highlights design, provides contrast, decreases eye strain

Best locations: Closets, Bookshelves, Cove ceilings, Wall panels, Kitchen cabinets, TVs and Computer Screens

Backlighting is the practice of lighting an object from behind. With a soft light source behind it, your bed, tv, art, or mirror will look like it’s glowing. In interior design, backlighting can also refer to the practice of lighting a wall, floor, or other surfaces with soft light (as seen above) to give the illusion of continuous, shadow-free illumination.

As A Design Element

The key to successful backlighting is to tuck the light sources out of view and in reflective areas. In interior design, backlighting is usually found tucked into the recesses of architectural details like cove ceilings or wall panels, or around cabinets, bookshelves, and closets.

Behind Screens

Another common use for backlighting has a little less to do with design and more to do with function. Running a strip of LED lights along the back of a TV screen or computer monitor creates a soft glow around the edges of the screen, which reduces the strain on your eyes. Light used in this context is also often called bias lighting.

Light Temperature

The temperature of light refers to its energy and wavelength. Higher energy light can appear blue and is called cool. Lower energy light appears yellow or red and is called warm. The temperature of the bulbs you put in your light fixtures can actually impact how you feel while you’re in the space, and can even affect your sleeping patterns.

Traditional incandescent bulbs only gave off warm light, so there was little variety in the light temperature of interior light fixtures. But LED technology has created light bulbs that can give off any wavelength from cool to warm, and some bulbs can change color with the click of a button on a remote.

Homeowners now have a much wider range of color temperatures to choose from – so it’s important to understand how these light temperatures affect you when you’re lighting your home.

Cool Light

Properties: Alertness, attention, working brain

Best Locations: Office, Kitchen, Vanity, Bathroom Mirror

Blue light is receiving a lot of negative attention these days, but it’s not all bad. Blue light is a very important part of both our daily cycle and our workday.

The biggest source of blue light is the sun. The blue spectrum of light activates our attentive brain, which helps to keep us alert.

Since blue light is excellent for concentration, it is perfect for work areas. The kitchen, home offices, homework areas, and around mirrors are perfect locations. It’s often used for general lighting and task lighting. Cool lights allow the whole family to focus up and get great work done.

Because cool light keeps your brain alert, it’s best to turn off all blue light sources 2 hours before bed. That includes your phone screens and TVs – if you’re not getting great sleep at night, try changing your relationship with blue light. It can make a big difference!

Warm Light

Properties: Relaxation, sleep, resting brain

Best Locations: Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Bathtub

This light has a longer wavelength, travels more slowly, and outputs less energy. Warm light signals our brains to relax and encourages rest and sleep.

Fire, such as from a candle or fireplace, is a natural source of red light. Sitting around a fire at night to feel cozy or romantic isn’t an arbitrary human idea – it’s biology!

Warm light sources are perfect for bedrooms, tub areas, living rooms, or dining areas. Ending your day in warm light will help your body to relax and get ready for excellent, restorative sleep.

Natural/Neutral Light

Properties: In between warm and cool light, bright but not harsh

Best locations: Substitute for cool light for sensitive eyes

There is a third bulb temperature marketed today. Natural or neutral bulbs give off light in between cool and warm. These bulbs may be particularly useful for those with light sensitivity problems. These bulbs are bright enough to fill ambient lighting needs to work in without feeling harsh.

Ask the Pros

It can feel intimidating to design the light of your home. The lighting pros at LitLiving are available to help you combine your aesthetic, room needs, and budget as they connect you with the best lighting showrooms around.

Create a Balanced Home with Warm Light

by admin · Jun 10, 2023

Did you know that the color of the lights in your home has an affect on your health? Both your sleep and your mental health can be influenced by the type of light you’re exposed to during the day, and it’s about more than just the lightbulbs in your bedside lamp. In 2020, people spent an average of 13 or more hours a day on screens. Many of us are struggling to fall asleep at night, we’re less productive, and we’re noticing that our emotions are a lot closer to the surface. Parents are seeing their children struggle with emotional regulation. While these issues are multifaceted, the links to overexposure to blue light can be seen across the board. Consciously introducing warm light into the home could be a simple, yet powerful part of creating a healthier and happier home.

The Difference Between Blue and Red Light

Light is made up of many different wavelengths, which our eyes perceive as colors. Each color correlates to a color temperature on a spectrum from low energy (red) to high (blue). Light from each part of the spectrum reacts with our eyes and brain in a unique way and affects the way they function.

Blue light has high energy and its color temperature is around 5000+ Kelvin (K). As the Kelvins go higher, the light appears cooler, or more blue. Many people associate blue light with harsh fluorescent bulbs, but we get most of our blue light exposure from a more natural source – the sun! Most screens, from laptops to televisions to cell phones, emit blue light as well. Red light is on the opposite side of the spectrum. It has lower energy and its color temperature ranges between 2700-3000K. Red light is more commonly called warm light. Imagine the light given off by a candle’s flame or an Edison bulb, this is red light. This type of light plays a crucial role in a well-balanced home by regulating both the health and the mood of its inhabitants.

How Light Affects Your Sleep

The human body runs according to a circadian rhythm, or a 24-hour cycle. This rhythm regulates many functions in the body, with one of the most basic being the sleep cycle. In the morning, the sun’s natural blue light signals the body to produce a hormone called cortisol, which promotes alertness and focus. When the sun sets and gives off a warmer glow that fades into darkness, the change in light signals the body to make a hormone called melatonin, which promotes relaxation and sleep. The cycle of the sun signals the mind to fall asleep or wake up. There is nothing inherently unhealthy about blue light. Problems arise, however, when we interrupt that natural shift in light temperature by exposing ourselves to blue light for hours after the sun has set. The blue light from your light bulbs and device screens signal the body to keep making cortisol instead of switching to melatonin. This disrupts the circadian rhythm and natural sleep cycle, which can make it harder to fall asleep at the end of the day. While a late-night TV binge here and there won’t cause much trouble, regularly disrupting the natural sleep cycle by several hours can lead to health problems.

Get Better Sleep With Balanced Light

Good sleep is crucial to overall good health. Our bodies need that time to rest and restore each day. The brain uses sleep to create new pathways to retain what it learned during the day, so one major side effect of poor sleep is poor memory. Studies have also linked increased anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease with poor sleep. These risks are greater in children. So what can you do to avoid the destabilizing effects of blue light? The obvious answer is to avoid all blue light after sunset, but that’s just not practical. The key to this issue is balance. Cool, blue light is only a problem when it overtakes the natural balance with warm, red light. Find ways to bring that balance back into your home by limiting blue lights and increasing warm light after dark. It’s a pretty easy fix once you know what to look for. A simple switch to warm bulbs (often called “soft white”) and limited screen usage at sunset will have long-term benefits for the whole family by promoting healthy, natural sleep.

How Light Affects Your Mood

Have you ever noticed that many sit-down restaurants feel as if they are only half-lit? This isn’t done to save on the electricity bill, there’s a science behind it! Restaurateurs take advantage of both types of light to keep their business running smoothly. Warm, dimmed lighting in the dining areas naturally relaxes guests and encourages quiet. The kitchens are brightly lit with cool light to help everyone working there to be fully alert and productive while working at high speed. You can do the same thing in your home once you know how it works. Warm, red light is naturally less bright than blue light, so it will feel softer in your home. Use it in the places where you spend time at night to help you wind down and relax. It’s also a great choice for family gatherings or an intimate dinner date at home, where you can use warm light to naturally make everyone feel comfortable. Bright light enhances emotions, making us more aware of everything we’re feeling. If you notice that bedtime is a constant source of chaos at your home, try dimming the light in bedrooms, hallways, bathrooms, etc. It won’t instantly make them perfect sleepers, but it will definitely help you to foster a calm wind-down strategy at the end of the day.

How to Use Warm Light At Home

Older incandescent bulbs are a great source for warm light, but they’re being phased out in the lighting industry in favor of safer and more efficient alternatives. But that doesn’t mean you need to break out the candles just yet! LED stands for “light-emitting diode”. Essentially they’re microchips that glow as electricity passes through them. This design not only makes them up to 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs, but it also makes them versatile. LED bulbs come in a wide variety of color temperatures, and they can be paired with dimmers to set the mood. Some are even color-changing, so that you can switch back and forth from warm to cool using a remote or an app. If you just don’t love the look of a standard LED bulb, there are beautiful Edison bulb style LED options available! They’ll still give you that soft, warm, old-world charm with all of the same energy efficiency and safety advantages.

Where to Use Warm Light

When you’re planning where you want to introduce warm light in your home, think about the main uses for each space. One method is to designate each space in your home as an active or rest area. Active areas are places where you’re working. Blue light promotes focus and alertness, so it’s great to have in places like the kitchen, homework stations, home office, and garage. Rest areas are places where you want to relax and feel comfortable. They’re often gathering places like the living room or dining room, or night-time areas like hallways and bedrooms. Some rooms will have a combination of uses, so you’ll want to use a combination of light types! Bathrooms could use a mix, as blue light is great for a makeup table but warm light is more relaxing for a soak in the tub. Large great rooms might have seating and dining spaces that are rest areas, and study desk and food prep spaces that are active areas. Play around with lamps, dimmers, and smart bulbs to get the right balance for the way you use your home.

This world feels chaotic at times, and finding balance can feel daunting. We can’t help much with office politics or your crazy neighbors, but when it comes to lighting we know a thing or two about helping you find just the right light for your home. If you’re ready to start creating a balanced home with warm light, give us a call or stop by our showroom. Our lighting experts are happy to answer your questions and help you get started!

How to Choose Timeless Light Fixtures in 6 Easy Steps

by admin · Jun 3, 2023

Fads come and go. And while there’s nothing wrong with jumping on an interior design trend you love, we all do it knowing that it won’t be in style forever. Timeless design styles are so named because they don’t look “stuck in a time” – making them excellent choices for spaces you don’t want to redecorate every few months.

With that said, making your home’s style timeless is sometimes easier said than done. We realize we may be a bit biased, but we firmly believe that the key to any good room design is lighting. Whether you love the thrill of redecorating every few months or would rather have a classic room that meets your needs through it all – a timeless light fixture can really help to tie your room together without clashing with your design choices. But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring!

Finding timeless fixtures may take a little more effort, but it’s worth it to have a piece that will last you for years to come. To help you get started, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you find a timeless fixture that’s right for you.

1. Find Inspiration

Finding a style that is timeless is sometimes more about finding a style that is timeless to you. Take a minute and think about the decor styles you have admired over the years. Have you always been drawn to a sleek modern look, or do you prefer cozy cottage-like interiors? Are you more of a maximalist or a minimalist?

If you’re not sure, you may want to start by browsing for inspiration. Magazines, social media, and Pinterest are great places to search for ideas. Another source of inspiration could be your favorite old movie or TV series!

For example, the kitchen in the film Father of The Bride (1991) is iconic for its warm, moody lighting. The style is so timeless that the film director, Nancy Meyers, has replicated this look and lighting design in many of her movies. Even Meyer’s own kitchen rocks this lighting look.

Once you have a collection of your favorite images saved, go back and look at the light fixtures. What colors are they? What shapes are they? Where are they in the room? You’ll start noticing patterns that you can use to create a list that will define your style.

2. Think Long Term

Now that you have defined your style, you will want to be sure you can live with it long term. Take your list, and consider how these timeless tips can apply to your style:

Colors and Finishes: Neutral colors and metallics are always in style, but you’ll want to choose finishes that are consistent with your personal style. Neutral colors like white, black, beige, grey, and tan are safe bets, and satin nickel and chrome are usually safe bets.

Swappable Parts: Consider finding lights that have shades that can be traded out without replacing the whole fixture. Glass shades come in many shapes and styles (clear glass is in style more often than frosted glass). Fabric shades are another easy swap out – stick to neutral or earth-tone colors for a more timeless look.

Permanence: Ceiling and hardwired wall fixtures can be a hassle to replace. Consider going classic and neutral with your permanent fixtures, then have fun with plug-in lights like a lamp that can be easily moved or replaced when it’s out of style.

3. Consider the Quality

The key to designing a home that has timeless style is creating a sense of comfort and luxury.

When choosing a fixture, follow this axiom: buy once and buy well. While top-quality light fixtures cost more upfront, they last much longer. If you don’t want to be reinstalling new lights every few years, don’t forget to budget for quality fixtures.

You also need to consider the quality of the light itself in your space. A single fixture in the center of a room’s ceiling isn’t enough – you’ll need to create layers of light to make your room feel comfortable. Every room should have a good mix of light sources, including overhead, accent, and task lighting.

4. Classic Staples, Trendy Extras

It can be pretty difficult to look beyond the latest trends in interior design. But, like your wardrobe, fast fashion items are usually cheap and go quickly out of style.

Think of your light fixtures as your wardrobe staples – the little black dress, the tailored suit, and so on. Your staples look great, are tailored to you, and never go out of style. Your accessories are your trendy pieces. When a trend comes through that you love, resist the temptation to replace your staples! Buy accessories in that style that compliment your staples instead.

For example, bold, sculptural decor is on-trend right now. While that sculpted brass chandelier is beautiful, it won’t be in style forever… and you’d end up having to replace it again soon when it inevitably feels tired. A timeless ceiling fixture will keep your room anchored, giving you room to play with this style on a smaller scale with accessories like a lamp or vase.

5. It’s Okay to Take Risks

Just because you are creating a timeless style for your home doesn’t mean you can’t take risks. The trick is knowing where and how to take risks.

Don’t be afraid to play with scale – a large, statement fixture can be just as timeless as any smaller counterpart as long as it compliments your style long-term! A great place for a timeless jaw-dropper is over the dining room table – it’s a bold choice that pays off!

Pro Tip: It may seem counterintuitive, but some of the best rooms to experiment with your design style are the smallest rooms in the house. If you fall in love with a trendy fixture, you don’t have to say “no” to keep your timeless design intact! Consider putting it in a powder room, hallway, or other small space that’s easier to redesign when the fad has faded.

6. Consistency is Key

Timeless looks feel easy and balanced. Choose fixtures that complement each other and your home’s decor to keep your design cohesive. Consider the other details in your home and look for fixtures with similar finishes and/or shapes.

Pro Tip: Our eyes are naturally drawn to symmetry. Try doubling up on your ceiling lights or table lamps to create symmetry in your home’s lightscape. We love how the symmetrical lighting design in the kitchen below gives it an elevated and polished look.

The lighting options you choose will have a significant impact on the way your home feels, so make the most of your investment! Take some time and get to know your own personal style, then find timeless options that will work for you!

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If you want help finding a timeless fixture that’s perfect for your home, give the lighting experts at Illuminate Lighting a call! We have a vast range of styles to choose from, and we have years of experience in helping homeowners find exactly what they’re looking for.

Your Bathroom Lighting May Be Ruining Your Look- Here’s How You Can Fix It

by admin · May 27, 2023

Picture this: You wake up early on a workday (a feat to be proud of). You don’t necessarily have to, but you’ve got the time, so you decide to spend some of that extra time on your makeup. After one last quick check in the mirror, you head out the door, feeling yourself and the look that you’ve created. Then, on a bathroom break at the office, you take a peek in the mirror and are surprised to see that your face here looks nothing like it did at home. What happened? Sure, the lighting isn’t great at the office, but there’s no way it could do all of this… right?

If this sounds familiar to you, take heart. Your makeup skills are probably not to blame – it’s more likely that your makeup lighting at home isn’t right – and it’s messing with your look.

Unfortunately, most standard bathroom lighting types aren’t a great help for flawless makeup. You might need to tweak the lighting set up at home to get it working for you instead of against you. This article will compare some of the common pitfalls of builder-grade lighting, and tell you exactly what you need to look for to upgrade your makeup space.

Remember, the purpose of makeup lighting is to show your face as true as possible, so you know how the look will translate outside of your home.

NO: Windowless Rooms

Hopefully, your home was built with windows in the bathroom to help balance the lighting. However, if your bathroom doesn’t have a window and it’s not in your budget to install one, we recommend you get ready for the day by your bedroom or office window. Not only will this improve your makeup accuracy, but it will add dimension to the styling of your bedroom.

YES: Natural Light

Expert makeup artists all agree that natural light from the sun is the best light for doing makeup. If you can do your makeup facing a bright window, this is the best choice. However, many people do their makeup early in the morning or don’t have a windowed area suitable for makeup.

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NO: Fluorescent and Colored Lighting

Fluorescent Light

Everyone knows that fluorescent light is the most unflattering possible. While many spend days under fluorescent light in the office, it is typically offset by some natural light coming through windows. Bathrooms are often windowless, completely isolating the makeup artist in the worst lighting possible.

Yellow Light

While warm, yellow light could be soothing for a home spa experience, it exaggerates flaws in the mirror. The yellow glow will bring out yellow and green tones in your skin, often making you appear sickly or washed out when you aren’t. This effect commonly results in putting too much makeup in the wrong places and then looking cakey once you step out onto the street.

Pink Light

Pink or rosy light has the opposite effect of fluorescent and yellow light― it hides flaws! This might feel good while applying makeup, but you may notice that you failed to cover certain areas as soon as you get to the office.

YES: Warm White Light

Warm white light is the best artificial light for doing makeup. It most closely mimics the effect of the sun, so what you see in the mirror will match what everyone else sees in the office or at dinner. Many experts recommend backlighting your mirror with LEDs to achieve this effect.

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NO: Light From Above or Below

Kids love to make scary faces at sleepovers by shining a flashlight upwards from their chin. Overhead makeup light can create the same results (although not as dramatic). As the light shines down your face, it will naturally exaggerate certain features, like shadows under the brow, nose, and mouth. It can also catch more harshly on wrinkles. Once again, the results are too much makeup in the wrong places.

YES: “Face-forward” Light

“Face-forward” light shines directly towards your face rather than shining down on you. When your lighting is set up this way, it will reduce false shadows, making it easier to decide where to apply makeup. Many add LEDs around their mirror – it’s is an easy, inexpensive way to customize your makeup table and get the truest lighting for your look.

Pro Tip: If you’re renting and can’t replace your bathroom lights, a ring light is a solid option. They come in a wide range of prices and sizes, so it won’t be hard to find one that will fit both your counter and your budget. Position a smaller ring light around face height. Larger ring lights are designed for you to look through them, so the light shines on your face from all sides to eliminate shadows, as seen below:

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Kick that Crappy Lighting to the Curb

Replacing, or adding to, your bathroom lighting isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Swapping out an old fixture with a new one is a relatively simple project that won’t cost much to have done. It’s also very beginner DIY-friendly – most homeowners can do it on their own. (Just remember to turn off the breaker first!)

A simple lighting upgrade can totally transform your makeup experience, and give you the confidence to trust that what you see in the mirror at home will translate across to the rest of your day. Whether you have a full makeup studio or you’re sharing a small vanity with a partner, you’ll be surprised at how a small change can make such a big difference.

If you want some help choosing the best lighting upgrade for your makeup area, stop by our showroom and take a look at the options we have available. You’ll be able to see for yourself how you look in different lighting, and our experts can help you find the right options to dress up your space. Stop by, or give Illuminate Lighting today for a free consultation!

5 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Home Office

by admin · May 20, 2023

More people are working from home than ever before! Because of this, having a dedicated home office space has moved to the top of the home improvements list for many homeowners seeking refuge from daily noises and distractions at home. (Who can focus in a kitchen with a 2-year-old belting “Let it Go” at the top of their lungs?)

Global Workplace Analysis estimated that “we will see 25-30% of the workplace working at home on a multiple-days-a-week basis.” If you’re included in this work-from-home exodus, then you understand what a difference having an office that’s both functional and comfortable can make for your workday.

Fixing up your office doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking – making just one small change can significantly impact the way your home office feels. We put together a list of 5 tips that will make a huge difference in the look and feel of your home office.

Just remember, you don’t need to do all the things (unless you want to!) – any one of these projects on their own will still make a noticeable difference!

1. Refresh with Paint

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of changing the mood of any room is painting. Whether you go for light and airy, bright and colorful, or moody, sometimes all you need is a color refresh to get back that inspiration.

A fresh coat of paint can completely change the mood of your home office. Check these out for some inspo on your office update!

Light and Airy

This pretty peach wall and breezy curtains create a peaceful haven where you can get the job done.

Bright and Colorful

These terrazzo-inspired colors bring life into this space and complement the floor perfectly. Talk about inspiration for your work!

Moody

The dark grey walls of this office create a moody ambiance where work can take first priority.

2. Add Lighting

One of the most important elements in a home office is its lighting. Harsh fluorescents are headache-inducing and feel more like a hospital than a haven of inspiration and productivity. Dim lighting is perfect for taking a snooze, but may not be effective when tasks are begging to be completed.

Unfortunately, most people don’t have floor-to-ceiling windows. And even if you do, using a variety of lights is critical in creating an effective working environment without headaches or unintentional naps.

Overhead Lighting

A chandelier or pendant light will do the trick for indirect lighting that will give your office soft, all-over light.

Task Lighting

Functional task lighting is also important in a productive workspace. With the flip of a switch, there won’t be any more squinting to read the post-it-note reminder you scribbled for yourself in a rush earlier. A desk lamp, pendant lights, or wall lamps work perfectly when positioned above the desk.

Lamps

Now that you have overhead lights and task lighting, look around for places that need an extra boost of light! One idea is to create a nook with a cozy chair, then add a floor lamp. Otherwise, consider a side table and table lamp. Lamps with shades add ambient light to the various workspaces in your office so you can see your work no matter where you’re seated.

3. Have Multiple Seating Options

Using a variety of seating options always helps when you get restless. Sometimes changing positions is all you need to get the job done! A comfortable office chair is a must, but you could also consider adding a couch (if you have the space) or a cozy armchair with a side table and lamp.

4. Declutter and Create a System

In the North American Journal of Psychology, researchers say “indecision and behavioral procrastination [are] related…to high degrees of office clutter.” Visual clutter is stressful, and it often leads to poor work performance.

Everything in your workspace should have a purpose and a place to live. Toss out the things you don’t need, and make homes for the things you do. Once you have a system down, you’ll be able to move more quickly from one task to the next. No more searching for a working pen when you need it.

Hide those cords, get bins or a filing system to keep your loose papers in, and make sure you have adequate storage. Built-ins or a bookshelf go a long way in creating a solution.

5. Accessorize

Don’t be afraid to play around with accessories you find or have hanging around. Books, wall hangings that inspire you, and even functional accessories like pencil cups can give your space a more lived-in feel without being cluttered or uninviting. Adding plants also will breathe life into an office that may be lacking. Try different pairings and get creative!

Office update: check! Now your Frozen-obsessed toddler can sing “Let it Go” behind your closed (and locked) office door while you get the job done. For more help with your design needs, contact Illuminate Lighting or visit our showroom! We’d be happy to assist and give you more tips like these.

Chandeliers vs. Pendant Lights: What’s the Difference?

by admin · May 13, 2023

Chandeliers and pendant lights both make a statement in any space. Because they’re very similar, they are often confused for one another. While they both hang down from the ceiling, there are a few key differences you need to know that can help you choose what’s best for your home.

Chandelier

A chandelier has a central body with multiple lighted branching arms. It usually hangs suspended from a chain.

Pendant Light

A pendant light has a cord or chain with one light attached. Sometimes pendant lights have multiple lights, but if they do, they’re usually surrounded by a structure

like the one pictured above.

Similarities and Differences

Style

The biggest difference between a chandelier and a pendant light is how it looks. Chandeliers are more intricate and ornate. They make a big statement and add elegance to a room. Chandeliers will be the center of attention. Pendant lights come in a wide variety of shapes and styles. When compared to a chandelier, pendants are usually smaller and have a cleaner, more minimal feel.

Use

Chandeliers and Pendants can both be used in any room in the house! Chandeliers are usually used to provide ambient light (illuminates a space evenly) in large spaces, but their ornate designs can create shadows. Because there are many lights on one chandelier, you may only need one to illuminate a whole room. Pendant lights are better for direct lighting (over a kitchen table, for example). Since there’s usually only one bulb per fixture, smaller pendant lights are often used in groups, like a set of 3 over a kitchen island.

Cost

While there are exceptions, chandeliers tend to be much more expensive than pendant lights. Chandeliers also often require professional installation due to their size and weight, which may add extra to your total bill. On the flip side, a handy homeowner can sometimes hang a pendant light by themself! If you’re comparison shopping, don’t forget to consider the number of fixtures you’ll need when calculating cost.

Maintenance

When choosing between these two statement fixtures, be sure to consider maintenance. Since pendant lights are simpler, they are usually easier to clean and have simpler lightbulb changes. On the other hand, chandeliers can be more challenging to maintain because of their delicate design. If you’re looking for easier maintenance, a pendant light is your best bet.

Pros and Cons

Chandeliers and pendant lights are both great options, but to help you make up your mind, we rounded up all of the details above here as some quick-reference pros and cons.

No matter which you choose, chandeliers and pendant lights will both make a statement and show off your style! If you’re still not sure which is right for you, give our experts at Illuminate Lighting a call for personalized advice!

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