7 Lighting Mistakes Homeowners Make

Lighting fixtures are not just a way to help you navigate around your home, they can also be functional and decorative. However, people tend to overlook lighting design or do it incorrectly. It is important to combine different lighting layers to achieve optimal illumination for a comfortable space. You will need the right fixtures, which most people get wrong. Because every room in your house serves a different purpose, each room will require a different lighting scheme. Technology gives you the ability to control that lighting at any point throughout the day. Take your room from bright too cozy with the flip of a switch! But before you start your lighting design project, education yourself on the dos and don’ts of lighting. Try to avoid the following lighting mistakes so you can bring comfort and style to your home.

1.       Balancing Your Lighting Layers

Oftentimes, people install lighting fixtures that make the room either too bright or not bright enough. When you leave areas unlit it makes the space feel smaller, while over lighting will cause blinding light. Utilizing the three lighting layers, ambient, task, and accent, will correct these issues, giving you optimal illumination. It is critical to design a plan first, keeping the function of the lighting fixture in mind.

For overall illumination, you need ambient lighting. Look for fixtures that cast a wide beam of light rather than narrow to produce this layer. A common mistake is using too many recessed lights for ambiance. This makes the space uncomfortably bright, while leaving some areas in darkness. The result is a cold and uninviting atmosphere that lacks character. The trick for using recessed lights as ambient lighting is to reflect the lights off the walls. This gets rid of the dark spaces but provides general lighting for the room. Solely using recessed lighting is also expensive so it’s best to combine it with other fixtures, such as pendants, chandelier, and lamps. Bedside lamps add the warmth to your bedroom that excess recessed lighting can’t provide.

Task lighting is a must in your lighting scheme because it does what ambient lighting doesn’t. Task lighting serves a functional purpose. It prevents eye strain when reading or writing, shines light in kitchen workspaces, and is a great light source for personal grooming. Use floor lamps and table lamps as task lighting. Placing a lamp on a desk in your office to reduce eye strain caused by reading or your monitor. Be careful to not overdo the lighting to avoid making your space look cluttered. The key is to use it in moderation and only when needed. Combine elegance and function by installing under-cabinet kitchen lights or wall sconces on either side of your vanity mirror for task lighting.

If you want to add character to your home, then accent lighting will do the job. Highlight or create a dramatic effect to your room by using the lighting for a focal point. Fluorescent light strips or specially designed picture lights with LED bulbs work well as accent lighting. Stay away from halogen fixtures which can damage artwork. Install multiple light sources, such as overhead task lights and lower placed recessed lights for ambience and accenting. A suspension light combined with wall sconces will give you both lighting layers as well. What you’re left with is a cozy and warm space.

2.       Wrong fixtures

Another common error people make is installing the wrong fixtures for the space. The type of fixture you use depends on your purpose and where you’re installing it. The incorrect fixture can leave your room feeling uncomfortable, uninviting, and unattractive. Consider the wattage, color, size, materials, and whether the fixture will complement the décor and theme of the room.

                       Wattage

Light output is critical for adequate lighting so be sure to keep that in mind during the planning stage. For example, your dining room light shouldn’t be bright so 60 watts is enough. If you want to read in your living room, then you’ll need 75-100 watts. If you don’t have dimmers but want to be able to still control your lighting layers, then get multiple bulbs ranging from 40-100 watts. It’s not as convenient as a dimmer but you can still easily switch out the bulbs in your living room. So, you’ll have different lighting for reading, socializing, or displaying decorative objects.

Your bathroom should have 75 watts installed for the overhead light and 60 watts for wall sconces. Keep the lighting at eye level to prevent shadows produced by overhead lights. Diffused light from white or off-white lampshades is the ideal light. If you have fan lighting, it produces 100 watts at most. So, you need to combine it with recessed lights or table and floor lamps to provide you with enough light. But avoid making the room too bright.

If you decide to go the LED route, keep in mind that LEDs bulbs aren’t all the same and not all LED fixtures are compatible with LED bulbs. An ALA consultant or manufacturer of the bulb or fixture will let you know which fixtures are compatible with your dimmers, if you have any. Seek advice from a lighting specialist, making sure you bring your blueprint with you. That way you’ll know how many fixtures you’ll need based on the space size and specifics of the lighting fixture.

                       Sizing and positioning of fixtures

                                   Sizing

This cannot be emphasized enough: you must plan your lighting design ahead of time! The size of your fixtures effects the whole look of your room. If a chandelier is too tiny for your dining room table, it will look out of place. Not to mention it will look underwhelming and won’t provide the right amount of illumination you need for that area. But you also don’t want to overpower the room with a large fixture. You can use a simple formula to calculate the proper chandelier size. First, add together the room’s height and width in feet. This will give you the approximate diameter of the chandelier in inches. Your dining room chandelier should be one foot smaller than the table’s narrowest width. It’s best to bring measurements with you when you go shopping for fixtures since they tend to look smaller in lighting showrooms. Consider grouping multiple pendants over a large dining room table in place of just one pendant or chandelier.

A blueprint or model will help you get a sense of whether the fixture will fit the space. The fixture must fit the scale of the room and match the theme and décor. Lighting designers usually build a mock up out of cardboard to get an idea of how the shape of the fixture will look in room. Feel free to use this trick to help with your lighting design.

People tend to buy the wrong recessed lighting fixture because they don’t know about its features. They are also unaware of the parts of the fixture - the housing and trim - and that they aren’t interchangeable. Instead, they choose the trim because of its style, they think it’s the right size, or its type of finish. People don’t even consider if the two parts are of the same brand. You need to know the manufacturer or item number of the housing to know what trim is compatible. An electrician can tell you what type of fixture you have and a lighting specialist will direct you to the fixtures you need.

                                   Positioning

Proper positioning of your fixture is necessary for achieving your lighting purpose. Height matters. The bottom of a pendant should be 30-36 inches above a dining table or kitchen island. If you’re next to a table lamp, the bottom of the shade should be at shoulder height. A lamp that is too tall will produce a blinding light. A soft white light will help dull the brightness and create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Don’t place downlights straight down a hallway or it’ll feel cold. Be mindful of whether your light switches are in the appropriate place and are about 36 inches above the floor. Place them about 1 ½ to 2 inches away from the side of your door casing and keep them away from wall art.

Lighting Main Rooms

Remember, different lights will produce different results so you can’t use the same fixtures throughout your home. Knowing your purpose will help you find the appropriate fixture for your rooms.

3.      Kitchen

A common lighting mistake people make in their kitchen is using fixtures not bright enough for cooking. By installing pendants above your workspace and using low bulbs you’ll create shadows that will make it difficult for you to perform kitchen tasks. Recessed lights over the counter will also cause this problem. A solution is to install overhead track lighting with adjustable lamps or under-cabinet strip lighting. This task lighting illuminates the space enough for you to cut vegetables by removing shadows made by the overhead light. Create accent lighting by lining cabinets with under-cabinet lighting. There are many types of under-cabinet lighting, such as puck lights and fully integrated systems that have additional outlets or Bluetooth speakers. But although kitchens typically have dim lighting for performing tasks, the room is one of the most over lit areas in the house. Again, the key is balancing your lighting.

4.      Bedroom

Your bedroom should be your refuge and where you should feel most comfortable. Ditch bulky ceiling lights for recessed lights for a timeless effect. Recessed lighting is perfect for when you don’t want much illumination. However, it will leave the corners of your room dark. Supplement your recessed lighting with wall sconces, pendant lights, or accent lamps to brighten the dark areas. Avoid placing downlights directly over your bed. It can cause glare which won’t make your bedroom feel very relaxing or comfortable. Don’t forget about small spaces like your closet. An overhead light just won’t do. You’ll be left with shadows and dark spaces. Try supplementing the overhead lighting with under-cabinet lights, LED strip lights, or lighting bars along the walls. Install recessed lighting in your closet.  If you have a built-in closet, put a gallery fixture across the header of the closet. It’ll make it easier for you to see when trying to match colors and textures of your wardrobe.

5.      Bathroom

Improper lighting can make your bathroom too dim for shaving or putting on makeup. Don’t use a vanity light as a single fixture because it won’t do much to brighten your bathroom. Recessed lights or well-placed flush-mount or semi-flushmount lights are good for ambient lighting. The vanity light is made for performing tasks, so it is not enough for lighting the entire space. Putting a fixture directly above the sink produces ugly shadows and exaggerates features like bags and lines. So, install wall sconces at eye level on either side of the mirror or vertical lighting strips. Using a long, horizontal fixture helps to illuminate your space. Keep water ratings in mind when choosing your fixtures.

6.      Living room

If you have an open floor plan avoid using the same lighting throughout the entire room. Combining wall mounted fixtures and recessed lights will give the space a softer feel. Stay away from using too many recessed lights or you’ll end up with the cold and unwelcoming atmosphere. Pay attention to the room’s paint color because it may prevent the light fixture from working effectively. If you have dark walls then no matter how many lights you install, it will still feel gloomy and dark. Try using different hues that are in the same color family, so the space will brighten up once you add lighting fixtures.

7.       Avoiding Convenience

Technology allows us to have complete control over our lighting so why not take advantage? A dimmer is an amazing accessory. By putting hardwired fixtures on dimmers, you can easily switch from ambient lighting to intimate. Make sure to put them on separate switches for better control over lighting. The great thing about dimmers is that not only can you control the atmosphere of the room throughout the day, but they are also cost effective. Especially, incandescent lights.

Another modern convenience is a smart lighting system. Instead of switches, these systems use Wi-Fi and are connected to your phone. Now, you can control your lights regardless of whether you’re in the country! If you don’t want to come home to darkness, then turn on your entryway light using the app.

Other Considerations

Now that you know how to light the interior of your home, let’s take a look at the exterior. Your landscape lighting fixtures must be more durable than your indoor fixtures so stay away from cheap products. Think about how the light will look from all vantage points. Don’t overlight or you risk having light brightly shining into your room while sleeping. As a solution, install motion-sensors that will turn on only when it detects movement. Combine the motion-sensor lights with solar lights. Not only will you have security, but the fixtures are also energy efficient, which will save you money on your utility bill.

If you want to have proper lighting for your home, don’t save it for the last minute. The lighting plan that the architect had when installing the fixtures in your home is for basic lighting. So, planning your lighting ahead of time will save you the cost and hassle of moving the junction boxes after the drywall has been installed. Consider the purpose of your lighting and the different layers you will need to create your desired effect. The wrong fixtures won’t do you any good because they won’t serve your lighting purpose. They may leave your room too dark where you can’t see what you are doing, too uncomfortably bright, or can ruin the look of the space. Think about the placement of the light and whether it will properly illuminate in its location. Make it easier on yourself and install dimmers on every switch. Avoid these mistakes so you can have an attractive space that is properly illuminated for your needs and comfort.

Sources

https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/8-common-lighting-mistakes-almost-everyone-makes-50394#lighting-in-the-kitchen

People tend to make 8 common mistakes in their lighting design. Increase task lighting in kitchen. Give enough clearance between dining table surface and pendant bottom. Create intimate mood lighting. Supplement recessed lights in your bedroom with other fixtures for ambience. Light your bathroom vanity mirror to remove shadows. Fluorescent light strips with LEDs or pictures lights can highlight art pieces or provide ambient lighting. Make sure the light serves your lighting purpose. Install smart lighting systems. Incorporate motion-activated security lights and solar lights to landscape lighting.

https://www.designfixhome.com/common-home-lighting-mistakes/

People use the wrong sized lights that are unproportional or too bright. Multiple lights source provide ideal illumination. Less recessed saves money. Combine with other lights for balanced lighting. Use task lighting only when needed. Make sure fixtures serve function and form. Supplement overhead lighting in small spaces. Install dimmers.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/tips/a31728/interior-lighting-mistakes/

Discusses 7 big mistakes you make lighting your home. Balance lighting with multiple light sources. Add dimmers to control lighting. Avoid shadows in bathroom and kitchen. Have the proper size fixtures and install at right height. Consider color of the room.

https://www.veranda.com/home-decorators/a1081/lighting-mistakes/

Consider light output. Think about wattage and lamps shades. Be mindful of light switch location. Add enough lighting inside closets.