There are very few features that will provide a dramatic difference to your home, than the use of landscape lighting. It's like the finishing touch to a cake when the candles are lit; it creates excitement and draws your attention. Unfortunately though, many homeowners barely get their yards nicely landscaped much less accented with proper outdoor lighting.
Lighting can be both functional and beautiful. If you are picking out lighting fixtures for a new house, or renovating an older one, it's important to talk to your electrical contractor. He or she will be able to assist you in your planning and make sure that you get the most for your budget.Another common update that many homeowners make today is to replace the lighting over a kitchen island. Many houses were built with a large fluorescent light over the island. Fluorescent lights can flicker and the glow that they put out is not flattering to most skin tones.While striking when used properly, landscape lighting should not be overdone. To avoid too much of a good thing, be sensitive to your overall surroundings and especially your neighbors. Lighting should be used to create ambiance, draw attention to focal points, and provide for security. Showcase a few elements of your home and yard and ensure that safety is a key element in your design.Personally, we have a dimmer on our shower light. It allows for a slow wake up by anyone getting into the shower before the light of day. But it�s important to provide enough light to allow you to shave and see what you are doing.Depending on the height of your bathtub and if it is separate from your shower, your lighting solutions here will be different. Let�s assume you have a separate bathtub here. If not, you won�t do anything different than what I�ve outlined above. Typically, you will be using recessed lighting above your bathtub area. It is not necessary to have water rated fixtures and light bulbs in this spot. One or maybe two recessed fixtures aimed at the outside of the tub will provide what you need. Aiming to the outside of the tub will provide light to see what you are doing yet will cut down on any glare.Adding a ceiling fan is another option for homeowners. Ceiling fans come in a wide range of styles and finishes to compliment any decor. They can be installed indoors in a room or outdoors on a porch. A ceiling fan circulates the air and helps you to feel cooler. It is also a great addition to a baby's room. In fact, a study by the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that a fan in a baby's room reduced the rate of SIDS by up to 72%.Topping and flanking your mirror with vanity strips is one way to provide light. Insure that you purchase vanity light bulbs that have a lower wattage or frosted glass so you don�t blind yourself. The mistake I�ve seen many make is that their light bulbs are too powerful and then they unscrew several of them to take the light level down. This totally defeats the purpose of having a vanity strip as it is suppose to distribute light evenly.Night LightRecessed LightingUse recessed to light dead areas or to light sitting/reading areas. Yes, some bathrooms are big enough for reading or lounging areas. Above a bench or reading area is a perfect place to insert a recessed fixture. Now, I�m going to throw this in now. My neighbor wants to put a sconce above the toilet for reading purposes. Use the same rule of thumb as mirror sconces and place the fixture at about eye level.
Celebrate your home and garden today; spotlight appropriate features to create warmth, excitement, intrigue, and security for your family and neighbors.
Author: Kathryn Dawson
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