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Fresh Design Ideas

Lighten Up

When planning a room's lighting, do not attempt to light the room, concentrate on lighting areas of the room.

What room uses will require lighting?
· Light is necessary in certain traffic areas such as entries, hallways, and staircases. Most importantly, illumination will be needed for specific tasks performed in each room. This might include reading, writing, or game playing in the family/living room.
· The primary purpose of a dining room is generally eating at a good-sized table, so the table is the principal area to concentrate the lighting.
· A kitchen may have a variety of work areas and each needs to be adequately lit. This includes the stove area, sink area, the vicinity of the refrigerator and any other auxiliary task areas.
· In all bathrooms, the mirror must be adequately lit, and, ideally, illuminated in a manner that is flattering to one's reflection in the mirror. Also, the tub/shower and toilet areas should receive good light.
· Lighting for particular purposes in each room can be augmented with general ambient lighting to provide overall brightness throughout the room

What atmosphere will the room have?
· A room's mood can be greatly enhanced through use of lighting. The use of bright general lighting will give a room an open and cheerful feel, while more subdued overall light conveys a sense of quiet and intimacy.
· Choice of light fixtures has a profound affect on the atmosphere of the room. All fixtures should be harmonious with the mood and style of the other furnishings in the room and should reflect the mood you want to create.
· Accent lighting can be used to create a desired feeling in a room. This may include lighting a large plant or piece of artwork. This type of lighting has no functional intent, but is used to generate a mood.

Before

Do all lighting fixtures work together, yet provide variety and interest?
· All of a room's lighting must work in harmony and provide a unified look.
· Vary the lighting enough to create an interesting overall scheme. This can be achieved through use of different types of fixtures for a range of tasks. Light can flow in different directions, some up, some down, and others in all directions. Fixtures can be of varying heights, and also provide different levels of light.

There are a great variety of lighting fixtures available with regard both to type and cost, consider all of them. Use your creativity and think about under the cabinet lights in the kitchen, picture lights for your artwork, unique chandeliers in the entry, and spotlights on exterior gardens. Create a lighting scheme that will enhance the feel you seek in your home.

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