The Must-knows About Light Fixtures
The main thing that you should have in mind when you are planning the lighting in your home is the specific purpose a given room serves thus you could easily conclude what kind of fixtures would be required and what their energy efficiency should be. This approach will help you define your budget for the project. Youd be even able to foresee the future monthly electricity bills that youll have to cover.
The main kinds of lighting are ambient, task and accent lighting and they are all suited for different purposes.
Ambient light is the general type, which illuminates the whole room and naturally it should be in every lighting project. Ambient lighting is an artificial substitute for the direct sunlight in the evenings or during cloudy days.
Task lighting, as its name suggests, provides you with the light needed for performing certain task like reading or cooking or doing a puzzle. It is highly concentrated on a limited area, it is strong and it should not produce additional glare or shadows.
Accent lighting is used for creating focal points around decorative and architectural features in a room, pieces of furniture and art.
The best results are logically achieved when all three kinds of lighting are combined in a room. Only then the lighting required is fully provided.
One thing that all lighting fixtures have in common is that they are all pretty hard to keep clean. Since they are usually installed high on the ceiling, reaching them is not an easy task. That can result in a common scenario that you tend to overlook their maintenance. There is no need to explain why this is not advisable.
If you thing that cleaning lighting fixtures is too hard or dangerous a task, call for a cleaner in your area. Finding professional cleaners is easy and cheap, since the area is serviced by many reputable companies.
Lets finish with a list of lighting fixtures that provide all three kinds of lighting:
For ambient lighting you should use recessed or architectural lighting. Pendant lights, track lights, chandeliers also provide a room with good quality of ambient lighting.
Task lighting is best provided by specific kinds of architectural lights, pendant lights, under-cabinet lights and portable fixtures.
Accents can be added with track and under cabinet lighting fixtures.