Lighting can make all the difference in how you feel about your house. By using different lighting techniques you can create the desired feel for your home — dramatic, functional, cozy, warm, or eclectic. There are three main categories of home lighting: ambient, accent, and task. Your home should have a combination of all three types to create comfortable lighting for the needs of each room. Ambient light is the general light for any space and helps you move safely about. It is the light that makes a room livable and, while it is uniform, it is less dramatic than accent or task light. Accent light directs attention to special articles in a room such as artwork or plants. Task light provides illumination for work areas such as countertops or cooking areas. Using all three types of lighting together can make any room beautiful.

When analyzing your lighting needs, it is important to consider your requirements. How much light do you need and where should lights be placed? First, determine the size of your room and the height of your ceilings. Also take into account the amount of natural light the room receives. For instance, a room with large windows will not need much in the way of artificial light during the day but may require supplemental light at night. Carefully think about the amount of light you will want in the room and begin
to build your lighting scheme.

The goal of managing your lighting scheme is to provide the best quality and quantity of light at the lowest operating cost. Familiarize yourself with the important terms lighting designers use when building a lighting plan.

Quality of light is measured in “luminance,” or photometric brightness, and is the light we see. The quantity of light that leaves a fixture is measured in “lumens,” while the amount of light that arrives at a surface is measured in “lux.” Remember that, depending on their color, the ceiling, floor, and walls all reflect a different amount of light. For example, a white surface reflects 80% of the light that strikes it and provides a bright, even level of light throughout the room. The amount of electrical input required for a fixture to work is measured in “watts.” Wattage is correlated to brightness when purchasing a fixture or light bulb. The higher the wattage, the more lumens the bulb or fixture bulb will produce. Many fixtures are produced with capacities between 60 and 150 watts. Be sure to ask about maximum wattage when purchasing a fixture.

Selecting a fixture that is UL approved is important for safety. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization and has tested products for public safety for more than a century. Most new fixtures are UL approved but check to see whether antique fixtures have been re-wired before installing them in your home.

Many times, selecting the best light fixtures for your home is a subjective choice and a matter of personal taste. These are merely guidelines and general suggestions to help you get started. You will find lighting showroom associates helpful resources in making your decision and as sounding boards for ideas. Visit or call your local lighting store with ideas and questions, they will enjoy working with you to find the perfect lighting solution for your home.

Lighting Your Entryway An entryway light fixture makes the first impression when you and your guests enter your home. Many people choose a surface-mount fixture with a decorative shade for simplicity while others choose a pendant or drop pan or a chandelier fixture for a more dramatic effect. Just make sure to leave enough clearance for the door to open safely.
Lighting Your Living Room Depending on the size and use of your living room, one or more surface-mount, drop pan, or chandelier fixture (depending on the height of your ceiling) can provide ambient light if placed in central locations. Wall sconces placed around the room can provide additional light for the space. You may wish to put living room light fixtures on dimmers to control the amount of light at any given time. Table or floor lamps provide great task light for reading or other hobbies and accent light can help draw attention to items of interest throughout the room.
Lighting Your Dining Room Chandeliers, pendants, or pan fixtures can provide a key element of décor in your dining area. There are a few rules of thumb to consider when choosing a length for your dining room light fixture. It can be subjective according to how you use your dining room (i.e., formally or informally). More formal, traditional dining rooms often have lower hanging fixtures. An old fashion rule of thumb says to hang your light fixtures 36” (3’) above your table or 72” (6’) off your floor. Many people feel that this is too low for today’s taller families and preference for casual entertaining. An emerging rule of thumb is to hang your light fixture between 78” (6 1/2’) and 84” (7’) off your floor. The best way to determine what will look best in your home is to hang something that will help you visualize the light fixture you have in mind before you make a purchase and hire your electrician to install it. A dimmer may also help control the amount of light at any given time to provide effect or mood (i.e., dramatic, elegant, or functional).
Lighting Your Kitchen Many people choose multiple fixtures for their kitchen and use a combination of ambient and task light. Depending on the height of the ceiling, a surface-mount fixture will provide the central source of ambient light for the room. Pendant lights are perfect for dining nooks or eating areas. They also work well as task lighting for the area over the sink or above an island or cooking space. Pendant lights should be mounted so that they hang approximately 30” to 42” off the top of the table or counter top. It is a good idea to measure by hanging something from your ceiling so you can get comfortable with a length that works for you.
Lighting Your Bedrooms A surface-mount fixture in the center of the room is a good choice for ambient light in a bedroom. Task lighting beside the bed, sconces or table lamps, will provide illumination for reading and supplemental light in the closet may also be important.
Lighting Your Bathroom If you choose to mount a light fixture over a mirror, be sure to center the fixture over the sink. This will prevent shadowing on your face. If you choose to mount a fixture on either side of the mirror, a good recommendation is to place them approximately 65” to 70” off the floor and approximately 30” apart to prevent shadows. It is also a good idea to have your bathroom fixtures “damp” rated to protect the wiring from moisture.
Lighting Your Hallways Adequate ambient light in a hallway is important so that you and your family can move safely throughout your home. You may choose a series of smaller surface mount fixture or wall sconces to provide light throughout this space.
Lighting Your Porch Before selecting a light fixture for your porch, determine whether you need a “damp” rated or “wet” rated light fixture. Damp rated fixtures are appropriate for covered outdoor locations such as porches. Look for a wet rated light fixture for exposed applications where the fixture will be exposed to direct precipitation. Porch fixtures can add a lot of curb appeal to your home, especially during the darker winter months. Be sure to consider how the fixture will look close up and from a distance. Lastly, be sure to consider how your light fixture will look with your home’s siding and architectural style.

Jill Bertapelle is a store manager for Schoolhouse Electric Company, 330 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97214; 800-630-7113, 503-230-7113. Visit www.schoolhouseelectric.com