When faced with the need to design lighting for your residential, commercial, or industrial property, there are several important things to consider. Choosing the wrong lighting cannot only under- or over-serve the needs of a given room, but it can also end up costing you more in energy expenditure. Below is a list of frequently asked questions to ensure you have a solid understanding of lighting before making your selections.

4 FAQ About Design Lighting

1. How Can I Make My Lighting More Energy-Efficient?

The light bulbs you choose make a big impact on your energy usage and costs each month. With traditional incandescent bulbs being phased out, homeowners can upgrade to more energy-efficient options, including CFL and LED bulbs. You’ll enjoy the same luminosity of your previous incandescent bulbs while reducing your household’s carbon footprint.

2. What Are the Different Options Available?

Design lighting includes three different lighting purposes: ambient, task, and accent. All of these work together to ensure your home or office is both stylish and well lit. Ambient lighting refers to general lighting, which allows you to see around your home and includes overhead lighting and other large fixtures. Task lighting is designed to provide visibility for specific tasks, like reading, cooking, and grooming. Examples of this light type are track lighting, desk lamps, pendant lighting, and more. Lastly, accent lighting is meant purely for aesthetics, with recessed or track lighting used to draw attention to houseplants, photos, artwork, a bar, etc. 

3. Can Lighting Be Used to Make a Small Space Look Bigger?

Yes; the direction you have your lights pointing can expand a tiny room—and vice-versa. If your room was painted in a light shade, “washing” all four walls with a soft, ambient light can make the space seem bigger. Avoid creating several small, concentrated areas of light, as this can cause the room to feel more intimate.

4. What Design Lighting Trends Are Popular This Year?

There are many popular lighting design trends to consider when creating a plan for your home in 2018. Soft gold fixtures are always timeless, but if you’re looking to make a bolder statement, trends like vintage Edison-style bulbs and art deco overheads will do the trick. Home and business owners are also picking larger fixtures to create an instant “wow” factor, balancing out the rest of the room with smaller, less eye-catching options.

 

Looking for assistance with your residential, commercial, or industrial electrical repairs and lighting installation? Turn to Shaffer Electric, the Greater Sacramento area’s go-to source for affordable and quality repair services. Bonded, licensed, and insured, their team of electric technicians are always on hand to discuss how the company can meet your unique needs. To learn more, call their office at (916) 687-7555, or visit them online.