Desert lighting

2022

How Many Blades Does Your Ceiling Fan Really Need?

How Many Blades Does Your Ceiling Fan Really Need?

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Ceiling fans are great at providing comfort year-round. A good ceiling fan will help you save on energy costs by circulating the air in your home. In the summer they create a draft, making the room feel cooler. In cold weather, you can switch the fan’s direction to circulate warm air from central heating around the room. 

Ceiling fans are so ubiquitous that for many people it’s hard to imagine life without one! So what happens when your fan breaks, and it’s time to get a new one? 

If you’ve shopped for ceiling fans recently, you know that there are a lot of options. From the ultra-modern models with a single fan blade, to the “windmill” design fans with so many blades that there’s hardly any space between them – many homeowners on the hunt start to ask: 

How many blades does my ceiling fan really need? 

Does the blade count actually change anything, or is it just for aesthetics? 

In short, the answer is “yes to both.” The blade count on a ceiling fan is largely viewed as a style issue, but it does impact the way the fan works. Apart from the obvious design differences, the number of blades on a fan will also affect its noise level and energy consumption. 

Noise Level

The fewer the blades, the faster a fan needs to spin to move the same amount of air. Lots of spinning means lots of moving parts, which usually translates to more noise. Take large industrial fans, for example – they typically have two or three blades and are pretty loud. 

On the other end of the spectrum, fans with higher blade counts can move a lot of air spinning at a slower rate. Less motion means less noise – windmill-style fans with eight to ten blades are virtually silent. 

There isn’t an exact cutoff between noisy versus quiet fans, but a good middle range is around five. If you want a quieter fan, one with five or more blades will likely be your best choice. 

Energy Efficiency

Another thing to consider when choosing a fan is how much it will cost to run. Fans with more blades create more drag, requiring more energy to operate. This is one reason why large, always-on fans (like you’d see in a commercial space) often only have three blades. They may be a bit noisier, but they save on energy costs.

While its blade count does impact the energy efficiency of a fan, it’s definitely not the only factor involved. The efficiency of fans can also be affected by the length and angle of the blades and by the type of motor it uses. It’s best to check the energy rating of your fan when possible. 

Style and Aesthetics

Aside from energy efficiency and noise level, the main difference between fans with high and low blade counts is really just style and aesthetics. “Windmill” styles with eight to twelve blades can feel rustic, whereas fans with two to three blades usually feel minimalist and industrial. 

How do I know what the right number is for me?

The short answer to this question is – it really doesn’t matter very much for most people. It doesn’t matter whether noise levels, energy efficiency, or aesthetics are your top priority; it’s pretty likely that you’ll be able to find a fan that will meet your needs in all three categories. 

Most often, it’s safe to shop by your style preferences first, then find a fan that meets your noise and efficiency needs from that selection. A modern, high-quality ceiling fan will be designed to work well regardless of the blade count.

If you’re looking for a quality fan that will keep you cool for years to come, stop by our showroom or give us a call. Our lighting experts are ready and waiting to help you find exactly what you need!

Kitchen Lighting Design: How to Get it Right

Kitchen Lighting Design: How to Get it Right

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Kitchens are the heart of the home, and you need that heart to be well-lit. A poorly lit kitchen is a bad design at best and a safety hazard at worst. You handle knives and hot pans in the kitchen – that’s not something you should be doing in the dark!

Creating a quality kitchen lighting layout requires strategic layering of different types of light. Depending on the size of your kitchen, you may find that you need upwards of twenty different bulbs or fixtures – that takes planning!

Luckily, there is a simple way to categorize the types of light you’ll need in your kitchen: ambient, task, and accent. Once you have a basic understanding of these three lighting classes, you’ll be able to light a beautiful and versatile kitchen that fulfills all your needs.

Category One: Ambient Lighting

What is ambient lighting? 

An essential lighting element in any room is ambient (also called general) lighting. Ambient lighting comes from a central overhead fixture that casts a uniform glow across the room.

Ambient lighting in your kitchen

In most kitchens, ambient light typically comes from either a single, large, central fixture or an array of recessed can lights. If your kitchen overall just feels too dim, these are the first places to check. 

-If you have plenty of fixtures but it still feels too dim, you might not need to jump to replacing your fixtures right away! Before you bust out the toolbox, try replacing your light bulbs with brighter LED options. They give off more light and use less energy – it’s a win-win! 

-If you want a new fixture, swapping out an existing central light fixture for one that is more modern or has more bulbs is usually a reasonably beginner-friendly DIY project. You can do the same with older recessed lights, swapping them out for a newer model with little fuss.

-If you want to replace a central light with an array of recessed lights, you’ll most likely want to hire a contractor or electrician.

Category Two: Task Lighting

What is task lighting?

Task lighting is essential in kitchens – cooking is detailed work! That’s one of the reasons why pendant lights are standard over kitchen islands. Task lights in the kitchen enable additional focus for the home chef to carefully slice and dice. With bright, focused light, they can also turn countertops into a great craft/homework station.

Task lighting in your kitchen

Pendant lights are the most common task lights in kitchens, usually hung over an island or bar. You’ll also see recessed lights used as task lighting, strategically centered over a workspace to give extra light where you need it. Both of these options are usually best left to an electrician unless you have experience running electrical wiring.

-The number of pendants you use will depend on your island’s length, the pendants’ size, and the material of the shades. (Design experts recommend working in threes, so if you’re trying to decide between 2, 3, or 4, three is often the most aesthetically pleasing.)

-Some pendants have several shade options; others only come in one style. A pendant’s shade will significantly affect how it lights your space. Glass shades will allow the light to flow from all directions, and opaque shades will concentrate the light to shine down rather than spill out the sides. When in doubt, make a trip to our showroom and check out the pendants on display – you’ll be able to see how they light a space before they’re installed in your home.

-If you have tall family members whose sightline a pendant may interrupt, or if you just aren’t fond of pendants, consider having a few recessed lights strategically placed over your work areas instead. 

Category Three: Accent Lighting

What is accent lighting?

Accent lighting is a powerful design tool that makes a kitchen look bigger by highlighting areas often hidden from ambient and task lighting. It only takes a small amount of light reflecting off the wall and the cabinetry to create the illusion of more space. Accent lighting can also be used to highlight special features in a kitchen. 

Accent lighting in your kitchen

In kitchens, accent lights are often tucked under wall cabinets, on top of wall cabinets, inside glass-fronted cabinets, and/or along the bottom of base cabinets.

-To make your ceilings look higher, we recommend placing puck lights on the tops of your cabinets. These small battery-powered LEDs are inexpensive and don’t need fancy installments. Simply turn them on, nestle them on top, and let them draw the eyes of your guests to the height of the room.

-To brighten countertops underneath cupboards, we recommend getting puck lights or LED strips lights to run along the underside of your wall cabinets. Many are battery-powered, so you won’t need to hire an electrician. Some are remote-controlled or smart-home enabled so that you can turn them on from across the room!

-To highlight a collection or a set of dishware you love, try running LED strip lights along the inner edges of a glass-fronted cabinet. They’re very easy to install (many are peel-and-stick), and they’ll give your kitchen a high-end luxury look!

-To light kitchen walkways, use the same LED strip technique along the underside of your base cabinets. While this may seem like an unexpected option – it’s a great addition to your kitchen for late-night snackers and movie nights! 

Round Out Your Kitchen with the Experts at Desert Lighting

A well-lit kitchen will have layers of light comprised of ambient, task, and accent lighting options, and they all work together to make your space feel comfortable and functional. If you’re renovating your kitchen, make sure you include a plan for lighting so that you’re not left in the dark when it’s finished.

The principles of well-rounded kitchen lighting are simple, but the possibilities are endless! You don’t have to do it on your own – the expert help and great selections available to you at our lighting showroom can be an invaluable resource to help you get the job done. Contact Desert Lighting today for customized advice, installation support, and great fixtures at great prices!

5 Simple Tips to Boost Curb Appeal

5 Simple Tips to Boost Curb Appeal

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They say not to judge books by their covers… but isn’t that what the cover is for? A book’s cover can give off a vibe that will help you decide on an impulse if that book is for you. Your house’s exterior is its cover. Based on its appearance from the street, or curb appeal, passersby (or potential buyers if you’re selling) will decide if it’s worth their time (and money) on a split-second impulse. 

Whether you’re trying to sell your house or increase its value, the look and feel of the exterior of your home has a significant impact on the bottom line. The good news is, giving your house a cover anyone would want to open is simple with these tips!

Tip 1: Add and Update Lighting

Light makes a huge difference when it comes to curb appeal. Choose modern fixtures or timeless classics, but make sure you have a variety of quality lights so that no matter what time of day, your house–and the landscaping you’ve worked hard to maintain–shines. 

These symmetrical sconces contrast with the white of the house perfectly and add some visual interest. You could also add matching ones by your garage for even more light.

If you don’t have room for outdoor sconces, consider a pendant light like this one. It adds a perfect lighting focal point without distracting from your picture-perfect entryway.

From top to bottom, this house will not be ignored! It draws your eyes toward it by using tons of lights. From the overhead light on the front porch to the lights under every roof overhang, you’ll see this beauty no matter where you are.

Add low-voltage outdoor lights or solar-powered lights to your driveway or walkway for a quick lighting upgrade. They’ll catch eyes, and guests won’t waste time looking for a path through your front yard.

Landscape lighting like this puts an emphasis on your garden beds, flowers, or other plants. You’ve worked hard to maintain them, so make it count–day or night. 

Tip 2: Utilize Color

You can use color to create a focal point for your house. It doesn’t matter whether you use neutrals, contrasting colors, or pops of bright color; careful color selection can really create an inviting exterior.

Don’t be afraid to be bold! This aqua-colored door with a bright floral wreath immediately draws the eye and invites guests in. (Plus, check out that perfectly-placed pendant that will light up the door at night!)

When you’re looking to add bright color, flowers are a great way to go. These gorgeous window boxes add a much-needed pop of color without feeling committed to a paint color. For the DIYers – window boxes are a great little project you can throw together with your scrap wood!

Whatever color you go for, make sure your trim and siding complement each other. Update one or both, but don’t forget to give your house a good power wash!

If your garage is looking a little worn out, a fresh coat paint is a quick fix. This house’s garage matches the trim and contrasts against the white perfectly. 

Tip 3: Decorate, decorate, decorate!

One of the easiest (and least expensive) ways to increase your curb appeal is by adding some decorative items. It’s a great way to make your porch feel more like an extension of your home than just a set of concrete steps. 

Decoration doesn’t have to be complicated. Add a simple wreath and cute doormat with an undermat to invite people in.

A front porch with furniture makes you feel right at home. Throw some chairs and a bench up for a cozy place to sit with your guests, or to watch your kids ride their bikes around the cul-de-sac. Pro tip: Add a few outdoor pillows for a pop of color! You’ll want to spend all summer outside and boost your curb appeal. Win-win!

Have you ever been looking for a house, but you can’t seem to find it? Your house numbers are an essential for guests trying to locate your house. If yours are feeling a little lackluster – changing them out is a very simple project with a big impact! This house’s numbers and door hardware match, pulling the look together. 

Shutters are a classic way to increase curb appeal. These shutters create some high-contrast visual interest by framing in the windows – and the symmetry pleasantly draws your eyes right up the path and straight to the front door.

Tip 4: Exercise Your Green Thumb

Landscaping is one of the first things you see when looking at a house. Is the lawn sickly and brown or thick and green? Are there bright flowers? Trees? You may not have a green thumb, but there are ways to make your yard and house stand out without getting (too) dirty.

Add some interest to your entryway with symmetrical pots next to your front door. Plant some easy-to-maintain flowers or greenery in them for a simple way to spruce up your front porch.

Update your garden beds with some plants and mulch. The contrast of the mulch in this house’s landscaping makes the greenery look lush and healthy. The depth of color helps the white paint on the house look bright and crisp, too. (Bonus points for the lights above the garage–we love the way they pop!)

If you’re a registered plant-killer, no need to fear! Pick low-maintenance plants that require little care – or take a look at getting some artificial outdoor plants. If you live in a place where water conservation is a concern, you can xeriscape (landscape with minimal water use) instead. Choose your plants mindfully, and your maintenance can be simple.

You could also consider planting less and adding lights to make what you do have pop (without all the hassle)!

Tip 5: Regular Maintenance

No matter what your house looks like, keeping it clean and dressed up will make a great impression. From state-of-the-art mansions to 50-year-old starter homes, regular maintenance will make any home look like a million bucks.

This house has clearly been well-cared for. The white is still white (not brown–yikes), the lawn is green and mowed, and the driveway is clear of yard waste. 

If you have pavement, make sure to get out your broom or leaf blower to clear it off! If you don’t, consider adding one. It creates a place to walk so your yard stays nice and creates a line for your eyes to follow up to the house. 

If you have limited time or resources, make sure to design your yard with maintenance in mind. Choose artificial plants or some that require little water. This house doesn’t have grass to mow, and the plants are low-maintenance.

Another tip to reduce maintenance is to use LED lights that don’t need to be replaced as often. Taking care of your house doesn’t have to take your entire weekend!

Curb appeal is what brings a smile to your face when you come home every day. It creates an atmosphere you’ll want to share with those you care about. Whether you’re trying to sell or just looking to impress your guests, updating your lighting, utilizing color, decorating, landscaping, and maintaining your house will make you feel at home and leave your guests with a first impression they won’t forget. Contact Desert Lighting or visit our showroom for more tips on boosting your home’s curb appeal!

5 Easy Steps to Create a Modern Minimalist Interior

5 Easy Steps to Create a Modern Minimalist Interior

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With an intentional lack of furniture and decorations, minimalist design can sometimes come off as cold and uncomfortable. Over the past few years, as we’ve spent more time in our homes than ever before, the need for comfort in a home design has been made crystal clear.

 

Today’s modern minimalism prioritizes simplicity with a decluttered and uncomplicated aesthetic, while also emphasizing the need for comfort in a space. You’ll see more color and accessories than the minimalist interiors of the past had, but they’ll be thoughtfully chosen extras that provide warmth and life to the space without going overboard. 

Whether you’re interested in adopting a minimalist lifestyle or just love the simple yet dramatic design aesthetic, modern minimalism is an achievable aesthetic for just about anyone! 

 

To help you get started, we broke down the basics of modern minimalist interior design into a handful of easy steps you can use to confidently focus on the right essentials. 

 

1. Create an Open Floor Plan

Focus on creating as much connected open space as possible. Obviously, taking out walls is the easiest way to create an open floor plan. But if you’re not in a place where you can tear down walls, there are some simple and subtle tricks you can use to make adjoining spaces feel more connected. 

 

One way to connect spaces in your home is to use the same flooring and wall paint colors for the entire space. This will make rooms look like they belong together, even through a doorway. 

A unique accent, like this minimalist pendant light, grabs your attention through the doorway from across the way, which helps your brain perceive the two spaces as one.

Finally, play around with your furniture placement to maximize your space. In smaller spaces, this often means keeping large furniture close to the walls to keep open pathways throughout but don’t underestimate the power of a simple, low-profile, floating sofa used to define a space.

2. Choose a Small Color Palette

A classic hallmark of minimalist design is a neutral monochromatic color palette, typically in warm grey, white, or beige tones. Contrast is important – add dimension and balance with a mix of darker and lighter shades within your color palette.

If an all-neutral color palette just isn’t your thing, you can still get a modern minimalist look with color – you just need to stick to a small palette. Keep most of the colors you use very light, to increase the feeling of airiness and reflect light best. 

3. Functional Design is Key

It doesn’t matter how pretty a room is, if it’s inconvenient or difficult to use you’re not going to be happy with it. When you’re trying to adopt modern minimalism, understanding how to pare down to only the essentials can be hard. When you’re going through your room, ask yourself:

 

 “Does this serve a purpose?”   “Do I already have something that serves this purpose?”   “Is there a multipurpose option that will serve this purpose and others?” 

Just remember, there’s no hard and fast rule for what it means to be “functional” – and you don’t need to justify every item you love to keep it in your home. A funky decorative pillow that makes you smile when you see it is serving a purpose (and it’s making your couch more comfortable – so it’s multifunctional!) 

A huge part of functional design is organization. Decluttering for a modern minimalist space involves reducing “visual clutter” too! Things not actively being used should have a home where they can be tucked away until they’re needed. 

 

Opt for storage options that have doors that will hide the things you’re not using.  When styling open shelving, choose items that match your color palette, leave plenty of open space, and use boxes or baskets to organize and hide loose items.

Don’t be surprised if you get down to the basics and you aren’t in love with what you have left. You’ll likely need to start making smart trades here and there to end up with a set of basics that you love.

4. Add Light – Lots of It

Like most modern design aesthetics, modern minimalism focuses on filling the space with light. Where possible, introduce as much natural light as you can. The light colors on your walls and floors will reflect it – making your room feel open and airy. 

In addition to natural light, a modern minimalist space needs a well-thought-out interior lightscape. Make sure your general ambient light is bright without being harsh, and add extra lighting in dark corners and over workspaces. Hidden lights, like LED strips under a cabinet, are an expensive DIY trick with a big payoff! 

Because minimalism is all about doing less with more, it’s okay to be choosy about how you add light to your space – you don’t want to clutter up your home with a floor lamp in every dark spot! When you’re shopping for fixtures, stick to simple shapes that can double as design elements.

5. Finish it Off With Thoughtful Accents

Little pops of color and texture are what take a modern minimalist space from blah to wow. You can do this in a number of ways, but remember to keep it simple. Start with just one color or texture and see how it feels before committing to more. 

 

When possible, look for ways to upgrade your existing decor rather than adding extra items. Look for functional pieces that you need in your space, but feel a little lackluster, and find a more interesting alternative. Replace an old, overstuffed sofa with a simpler version in a deep color (as long as it’s in your color palette!), or give an old end table new life with a coat of paint.

Pro Tip: If have a hard time committing to color, consider using houseplants! They introduce a vibrant green color and soft, organic textures, which can balance out a minimalist design quite nicely.

By far, one of the most effective ways to accent a modern minimalist design is with an interesting light fixture. Your room will always need light, so it might as well be an integrated part of the design! 

 

A stunning ceiling light with a simple shape will stand out as a piece of art against a minimalist backdrop and elevate the entire design of the space. 

Pendant lamps are popular in modern minimalist design because they come in simple shapes with lots of finish options, so it’s easy to find something that will match your aesthetic. 

If replacing a ceiling fixture isn’t an option, you can get a similar impact with a carefully chosen floor lamp! Lamps are the MVP of accent lighting for a reason – they’re easy to move, replace, and rearrange, and come in a HUGE variety of styles. You can go for something small that blends in, but we also love the way a large, yet simple, lamp like this one makes a statement without taking over. 

That’s all there is to it! Just to recap, here are the 5 Easy Steps to Create a Modern Minimalist Interior: 

 

  1. Create an open floor plan – tie separate spaces together with color and materials, and rearrange furniture to maximize your space.
  2. Choose a small color palette – neutrals are your friend, but it’s okay to add in a little bit of color to make your space feel like you.
  3. Functional design is key – use multipurpose furniture, and organize, organize, organize. Store things that aren’t being used so that they’re not cluttering up your space.
  4. Add light – having lots of natural and indoor lighting is what makes your space feel open and airy. Light up dark corners and workspaces.
  5. Finish it off with thoughtful accents – Don’t over-accessorize. Pops of color and texture give life to a space, but try to incorporate these add-ons with the functional elements of your space – like a colored sofa or an upgraded light fixture.

 

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Modern Minimalist design can be a difficult concept to balance, but it’s very forgiving and so beautiful when done correctly. If you need help finding the right lighting for your Modern Minimalist home, the experts at Desert Lighting can help!

What to Expect When Visiting a Lighting Showroom

What to Expect When Visiting a Lighting Showroom

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Have you ever purchased something online only to have it arrive looking very different than you expected it to, or it just didn’t look as good in your space as you thought it would? Have you ever purchased an item at the store based off the image on its packaging only to be disappointed by the poor quality once you got it home and unwrapped?

There’s no substitute for being able to see, touch, and try out an item before making a purchase. This is true for any purchase, but it’s especially important when you’re buying things for your home! Your home needs to be somewhere you’re comfortable and can feel relaxed – and good lighting is absolutely essential to creating that environment! 

Don’t leave your lighting purchases up to chance. If you’ve never been to a lighting showroom before, here are a few things you can expect to happen on your next visit. 

Huge Selection of Quality Fixtures

When you shop online, it can be overwhelming and frustrating trying to sort through all of the options to find something you like, and it’s always a gamble as to whether it will look right once you get it. 

Lighting showrooms specialize in one thing: getting you the perfect light for your home. We have access to thousands of lighting options, and our lighting experts can help you sift through it all to find exactly what you need – without hours of frustrating internet searches. 

Showroom owners are choosy about what they’ll offer to customers, so you won’t have to worry about getting a dud. 

See Everything in Person

When buying light fixtures, you’re usually trying to set up an entire room with balanced needs. Unless you are a trained interior designer (and even if you are), it’s very difficult to gauge style, size, space, and balance just from a picture. 

Fixtures look really different when they’re off and on, and the way they cast light can change the feel of a space. It’s also hard to see small details and textures on finishes. Being able to see the light in person before buying can save you the headache of having to return a dark brown fixture you thought was black or a lantern that casts shadows you weren’t expecting. 

Personalized Expert Advice

Most DIY homeowners and interior designers know what it feels like to thoroughly research and still feel dissatisfied with the end result. It doesn’t matter how many how-to videos you watch – the person on the other end can’t give you personalized advice specific to your project. 

With something as crucial to your design as lighting, it’s a really good idea to check over design plans with an expert on the topic before you get started. 

When you stop in at our showroom, our lighting experts can teach you how to select the right bulbs for your needs, get the best light fixture for your money, and instruct you on proper installation, all as a regular part of your shopping experience. You won’t get that level of personalized expertise anywhere else!

Better Value for Your Money

Many believe that lighting showrooms charge “boutique” prices that are much higher than you’ll find online or at the hardware store. This simply isn’t true. When you visit a showroom, you’ll find that showrooms charge comparable prices to other fixture suppliers, and they have higher quality pieces.

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Let’s Recap

When it really gets down to it, if you’re shopping online or at a hardware store, you’re gambling on quality and not getting the best value for your money. 

The next time you’re shopping for lighting, make sure you include a lighting showroom in your process. When you shop at a showroom, you can see what you’re buying before you take it home. When you factor in the free expert advice, the higher quality fixtures, and the time saved, you’re actually paying less to get exactly what you need for your home. 

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Ready for your showroom experience? Check us out at Desert Lighting! 

A Guide to the Basic Types of Light and How to Use Them In Your Home

A Guide to the Basic Types of Light and How to Use Them In Your Home

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Light is all around us, controls what we do and how our body runs. Yet, most people haven’t given much thought to the kinds of light that surround them. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of both as we explain how to use light to your advantage.

Types of Light in Interior Design

When we talk about interior design, there are a lot of different words that get tossed around about lighting. It can get a little confusing, but the good news is, if you can get down these main types of light you’ll be 90% good to go! 

  • General/Ambient: This is the main source of light for a space. It fills the room with bright, balanced, even light. This usually comes from an overhead fixture centered in the room or an array of recessed lights.
  • Task: Task lighting is usually bright and used in combination with ambient light. It’s extra light that is strategically placed to add focused light to a workspace, like a kitchen counter or writing desk.
  • Accent: Accent light refers to light that is more about design than function. Spotlights, track lights, and strip LEDs can fall into this category. They often shine on artwork or architectural features like high ceilings or feature fireplaces. Although accent light does fill a function, the main value is decorative.
  • Mood: Mood lighting is generally soft, dim light. It encourages a calm or romantic atmosphere. Most often this is done with lamps, candles, or lights on dimmer switches.

When designing a lighting plan for your home, it’s important to create “layers” of light by including several types of lighting in each space. To see this in action, here’s a breakdown of the types of light found in this bedroom:

  • General/Ambient: Array of recessed lights along the ceiling
  • Task: Reading lamps on either side of the bed
  • Accent: LED light strip tucked around the edges of a coved ceiling, recessed lights shining on wall panel details, decorative sconces on wall centered around the dresser
  • Mood: Soft lights under closet doors, dimmer switches on several fixtures

This room is a great example of the way layered light adds to the design of a space without being overwhelming. Remember, you won’t usually be using all of these lights at the same time – but having options lets you customize the space for, however, you need to use it at the moment.

Other Types of Light

For most of your home projects, understanding the main types of lighting should be sufficient, but there are a few other lighting terms you may hear. Here are a few of the most popular terms: 

Diffused Light

Properties: Gentle, encourages relaxation

Best locations: Bedrooms, tub, Living Room, Dining Room

Diffused light is a natural companion to warm light. This term refers to light that is scattered and doesn’t cast a hard shadow. You can create this effect through reflected or covered lighting. We’ll focus on the latter here and touch more on reflected light in the next section.

Breaking up light makes it less harsh and more relaxed, cozy. Popular design elements are boho wicker chandeliers, modern plastic-covered lights, or paper lanterns. Both allow for plenty of light but filter the harshness of the bulb.

The opposite of diffused light is hard light. This light shines directly from the source and casts a hard shadow. This light is often found in workspaces like the kitchen or office. 

Reflected Light

Properties: Gentle, amplifies space

Best locations: Kitchen, Living Rooms, Bedrooms

This term has more to do with how light reacts in a design after it hits a surface in your home than with the source of the light. There are a few things that will affect how the light hits, and bounces off, the objects in your home. 

Color

Light colors reflect light, and dark colors absorb light. You can make a room feel big and spacious with just a coat of light-colored paint on the walls and ceiling. If you go dark on your walls, you’ll often need to add additional light sources to keep your room from feeling small.

Finish

Smooth, glossy finishes like wood floors or metallic furniture will reflect light and bounce it back out into the room. Interiors with lots of glossy surfaces can get away with fewer light sources. If your room feels a little too bright – try adding in some softer, textured surfaces like a fabric sofa, a rug, pillows and blankets, or textured wall art. 

Backlight

Properties: Highlights design, provides contrast, decreases eye strain

Best locations: Closets, Bookshelves, Cove ceilings, Wall panels, Kitchen cabinets, TVs and Computer Screens

Backlighting is the practice of lighting an object from behind. With a soft light source behind it, your bed, tv, art, or mirror will look like it’s glowing. In interior design, backlighting can also refer to the practice of lighting a wall, floor, or other surfaces with soft light (as seen above) to give the illusion of continuous, shadow-free illumination. 

As A Design Element

The key to successful backlighting is to tuck the light sources out of view and in reflective areas. In interior design, backlighting is usually found tucked into the recesses of architectural details like cove ceilings or wall panels, or around cabinets, bookshelves, and closets.

Behind Screens

Another common use for backlighting has a little less to do with design and more to do with function. Running a strip of LED lights along the back of a TV screen or computer monitor creates a soft glow around the edges of the screen, which reduces the strain on your eyes. Light used in this context is also often called bias lighting.

Light Temperature

The temperature of light refers to its energy and wavelength. Higher energy light can appear blue and is called cool. Lower energy light appears yellow or red and is called warm. The temperature of the bulbs you put in your light fixtures can actually impact how you feel while you’re in the space, and can even affect your sleeping patterns.  

Traditional incandescent bulbs only gave off warm light, so there was little variety in the light temperature of interior light fixtures. But LED technology has created light bulbs that can give off any wavelength from cool to warm, and some bulbs can change color with the click of a button on a remote. 

Homeowners now have a much wider range of color temperatures to choose from – so it’s important to understand how these light temperatures affect you when you’re lighting your home.

Cool Light

Properties: Alertness, attention, working brain

Best Locations: Office, Kitchen, Vanity, Bathroom Mirror

Blue light is receiving a lot of negative attention these days, but it’s not all bad. Blue light is a very important part of both our daily cycle and our workday.

The biggest source of blue light is the sun. The blue spectrum of light activates our attentive brain, which helps to keep us alert.

Since blue light is excellent for concentration, it is perfect for work areas. The kitchen, home offices, homework areas, and around mirrors are perfect locations. It’s often used for general lighting and task lighting. Cool lights allow the whole family to focus up and get great work done. 

Because cool light keeps your brain alert, it’s best to turn off all blue light sources 2 hours before bed. That includes your phone screens and TVs – if you’re not getting great sleep at night, try changing your relationship with blue light. It can make a big difference! 

Warm Light

Properties: Relaxation, sleep, resting brain

Best Locations: Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Bathtub

This light has a longer wavelength, travels more slowly, and outputs less energy.  Warm light signals our brains to relax and encourages rest and sleep. 

Fire, such as from a candle or fireplace, is a natural source of red light. Sitting around a fire at night to feel cozy or romantic isn’t an arbitrary human idea – it’s biology!

Warm light sources are perfect for bedrooms, tub areas, living rooms, or dining areas. Ending your day in warm light will help your body to relax and get ready for excellent, restorative sleep.

Natural/Neutral Light

Properties: In between warm and cool light, bright but not harsh

Best locations: Substitute for cool light for sensitive eyes

There is a third bulb temperature marketed today. Natural or neutral bulbs give off light in between cool and warm. These bulbs may be particularly useful for those with light sensitivity problems. These bulbs are bright enough to fill ambient lighting needs to work in without feeling harsh. 

Ask the Pros

It can feel intimidating to design the light of your home. The lighting pros at LitLiving are available to help you combine your aesthetic, room needs, and budget as they connect you with the best lighting showrooms around.

 

 

Eco-Friendly Interior Design: 5 Tips For a Sustainable and Stylish Home

Eco-Friendly Interior Design: 5 Tips For a Sustainable and Stylish Home

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There are many advantages to making your space more eco-friendly. By reducing your home’s carbon footprint, you can save money and even improve your home’s air quality. The trick is doing it without compromising on style. If you’re struggling to find sustainable yet stylish swaps for your space, look no further! Below we have rounded up some of our favorite eco-friendly interior design ideas.  

1. Bring The Outside In 

Indoor plants make for great decor – they are lush and give your space dimension, texture, and color. House plants can also be powerful air purifiers and help reduce the levels of CO2 in your home. If you’re already a plant parent, you may want to consider an indoor vegetable or herb patch. These small but mighty gardens look great on any window sill, plus you can eat their produce! A dedicated LED grow light will ensure you can harvest your indoor garden all year round.

2. Opt For Natural Fibers 

Whether you’re in the market for a new rug, light fixture, or pouf, look for items made from natural fibers such as jute. Jute is a material made from the jute tree, which is a fast grower and needs very little water to survive. Jute is also bio-degradable and recyclable – making it super eco-friendly!  When it comes to upholstery, opt for bamboo fabrics. Latex is another solid option as it comes from the rubber plant. 

3. Pick Low or Zero VOC Paints 

One of the most important decorating decisions you will likely make is the color of your walls. Your color palette will determine the mood of your space and set the tone of your home style. The problem with paint is that many contain harmful VOCs – or volatile organic compounds. The best eco-friendly interior design paints are labeled “low VOC” or “zero VOC.” These paints are water-based, are lower in odor, and are a more eco-friendly option.

4. Swap Your Bulbs 

Every good interior designer knows that a room’s lighting will make or break the space. To make your existing lighting more eco-friendly, opt for high-quality LED bulbs. They consume less energy than regular bulbs, and they last much longer. This means fewer bulbs are being manufactured and ending up in landfills – and your utility bills will be lower.  

5. Dim Your Lights

Dimmers are excellent for many reasons, and they can totally transform your space. With just your fingertips, you can go from bright and fresh to warm and moody. Dimmed lights also use less energy than regular lights, which is good for the planet and your wallet. Interior designers also love dimmers for the plate switches. They are sleek and sophisticated and are sure to elevate any room. 

To find out more about sustainable lighting options, give us a call or stop by our showroom. Our lighting experts can help you find exactly what you need to go green.