To be its most functional and pleasant, every room needs a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting. Learn how to choose the lamps that will serve each of these various purposes.
Accent Lamps
Accent lamps provide additional light and decorative drama! Sometimes called novelty lamps, they come in a wide array of unique designs and are primarily used to add an elegant, cozy feel to an already well-lit space. Accent lamps are generally smaller than 20" tall and are great for brightening up bedrooms, living rooms, dens and hallways. You may even discover one that is perfect for your bathroom or kitchen! With so many options to choose from, you'll looking for just the right ones to express your taste and style!
Chandeliers
Like all large ceiling fixtures, chandeliers provide excellent general room illumination. Most chandeliers use a number of low wattage bulbs (40-60 watts is common) that should all be installed, and occasionally replaced, at the same time. A total bulb wattage of 200-400 will provide ample light for most dining rooms.
When installing a chandelier in the dining room, the bottom should be about three feet above the table to allow for headroom. Center the chandelier over the table, not in the center of the room. The overall diameter should be a little less than that of the table.
If you have a high enough ceiling, a chandelier also makes an excellent ambient light source for other rooms in your home. Foyers, living rooms and wide staircases are all ideal locations for a beautiful chandelier.
Desk Lamps
Desk lamps are generally 12" to 20" high and are used to light a specific work area. Because task lighting is the main focus, most desk lamps are designed to handle a high-wattage bulb. If you have a tall desk lamp, you will probably also need a low hanging shade; you should not be able to see a bare bulb when you're sitting at your desk or table.
Floor Lamps
Floor lamps are excellent for providing both task and accent lighting, especially to dark corners or other areas of a room where overhead light may not be able to reach.
Floor lamps are easily added to most rooms because they take up little space and their light levels are often adjustable. Try placing a floor lamp next to a comfortable chair to create a perfect reading area.
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights are a type of ceiling fixture that can provide excellent general room illumination. Since they provide overhead light, they can usually illuminate an area better than a lamp. Pendants create ambience and are a popular choice for adding a new layer of light to any space.
Pendant lighting can help define a space, like a seating area, making it more distinct since the lit area is distinguished from the rest of the room. Pendants can also be used to provide light right where you need it above a specific area, such as a kitchen table. A single pendant is ideal in foyers or entryways and two or more pendants can brighten up a dim hallway. The design of a pendant makes hanging one over a counter an easy lighting solution and above a bar is the perfect place to try a set of mini-pendant lights. Even consider adding a pendant above a vanity table or in a dressing area.
Table Lamps
Table lamps are perhaps the most common type of lamp used today. They generally range in height from 25" to 32", and they often serve double roles as task lighting and accent lighting. Because of this, most people choose to use medium-watt, soft-light bulbs in their table lamps.
When choosing a table lamp, the shade needs to be in proportion to the lamp's base, as well as with the surrounding furniture. The shade should be at eye level when you're seated, and the bulb should not be visible.
Generally speaking, shorter lamps should be placed on taller tables, and taller lamps should be placed on shorter tables. This will help keep everything in room balanced and at eye level.
Torchiere Lamps
Introduced as a revolution in lighting at the end of the 17th century, torchiere lamps are similar in shape to floor lamps. The difference is a torchiere lamp shade faces upward and in turn offers you ambient lighting (or up-lighting) to illuminate the whole room. Just like floor lamps, torchieres are easily added to most rooms because they take up little space. They work very well as main light sources in rooms that do not have overhead lighting.
Wall Lamps
Wall lamps come in a variety of styles and shapes and are gaining much popularity for their ability to add extra illumination to a specific area in the home. Wall lamps with swinging arms have long been used as reading lights, especially near beds. Wall sconces can be particularly nice for adding accent lighting to a hallway or other limited space area.
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