Light The Way

Redesigning & renovating a home is a big project that is both exciting and daunting! Taking all the little details into consideration is an investment of time and effort. Planning out pleasing and convenient lighting for the room or home is just as important as choosing the right paint color. Here are a few of our tips and suggestions to get the most out of upcoming home improvements.

Consider The Space

The first thing to consider is how each space will be used on a day-to-day basis. Ask yourself what will we be doing in this room? Then create a potential layout where each piece of furniture will be placed. This will help figure out where additional lighting may need to be added depending on function or location. Also, you may want to decide on accent lighting to add a bit of creativity, highlight beautiful artwork, woodwork, or even wall textures.

Variety of Lights

Placement matters to how lighting affects each room but so does the type of lighting in each space. An example of this is wall washes. They are typically used in areas where you want the room to feel larger, often picked for use in bathrooms and kitchens. Other common types include pendant lights, low wall, ceiling, & gaining in popularity extrusion lights. Making time to research all the available options will help you create a plan that works best for your home. A tip to keep in mind, don’t jump on the latest fad. It can leave your space feeling outdated within just a few years!

Outlets & Switches

Permanent lighting should be the first priority however, it’s also advisable to plan out where outlets will be placed for free-standing light and other electronics. Picking the right spot will make future rearrangement much smoother and reduce the need for additional upgrades and installations. Having the light switches installed in easy to reach places not only keeps you from fumbling in the dark but also keeps you from detracting from the beauty of the room’s aesthetics. Our suggestion is to also install dimmer switches where possible so only the amount of light you need is given.

The Right Fit

Once you have everything picked out, do a double-check of the estimated cost. Does it fit the budget you set in the beginning? If you find that the final cost goes beyond what you can afford, don’t worry! Talk to your electrical expert who may be able to suggest alternative solutions that still work with the plan you had. They may be able to help point you in the direction of even better fitting products, fixtures, and placements.

For all your electrical needs, contact Hansen Electric at (251) 227-4441!