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September 30, 2007

How to Light The Living Room or Den

     Lighting in a living room or den can be accomplished in many ways. For some people a few lamps in the room is sufficient and pleasing. Some other options are recessed lighting, track lighting and surface mounted ceiling fixtures. Ceiling mounted fixtures are the least likely to be used in a living room or a den. One exception to this would be a ceiling fan with a light kit.
     As with most lighting plans a combination of two or more light sources gives you the best outcome and most versatility. Recessed lighting is a very good choice and can, in most cases, be used exclusively. This can be done with a little creativity to avoid that commercial look of rows of symmetrically placed recessed cans.
     Switching controls for the lighting layout are almost as important as placement. If you have a row of lights in front of an area where a TV will be placed, you will want to be able to control those separately to avoid a nasty glare and make viewing the TV uncomfortable. Perhaps there is a row over a couch or seating area or in the center of the room. All these different scenarios call for separate switching.
     I usually advise my customers not to make the lighting layout in a living room or den revolve around the furniture layout. If money is no object, then it's fine, but in most cases a general lighting plan is a better choice. The main reason is we tend to change our furniture around and that could leave the ceiling lighting in all the wrong places. You can however use a focal point. There is usually something in a room that won't change. It could be a fireplace, large window or even the TV entertainment center. Using one of these can help determine how to set the lighting up as well as how to control it.

Posted by ltngbolt at 10:58 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

September 29, 2007

Ask Lighting Questions

Please feel free to ask your lighting questions here. I do really enjoy answering questions. I get questions all the time in emails but prefer answering here so it can benefit others as well.  Here is an example of the kinds of questions.
Hi Paul
I'm glad you're still around! You gave me a hand with the layout of my can lights a year and a half ago, and it turned out great! We sold that house and bought a new one. We are remodeling again, (gluttons for punishment!), and we are currently redoing the kitchen. We could sure use your expertise again!

 

Here's the scenario: The new kitchen is 8 1/2 feet wide and 16 feet long. It will have a vaulted ceiling, (to match the dining room which we opened it up to). I will give you a link to the plan which is easier than describing what we are doing. *smile* We'd like to put in recessed lights as our main light source, under cabinet lights for accent and extra work light, in-cabinet lighting, (one wall of uppers will be glass cabs), and (possibly) a pendant or two over the sink. The cabinets are a dark stained oak, the floor will be a warm medium wood, the counters will be granite, and the back splash will be a light tile. (The colors in the drawing are not representative of the true colors.) I really don't want the kitchen to feel dark. What would the best can light placement be, taking into account the vaulted ceiling and corner placement of the fridge, (see plan). I'll link to one view of the plan and if you go back in the album to picture 2 you will get an overhead view, (picture 1 shows the cabinet color). I sure appreciate the help! I'm sorry this was so long-winded.
Have a great day!
Stacie

 

Posted by ltngbolt at 07:21 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Back and Ready to go

   I have to apologize. I started this blog and well.......you know the story, got busy and.....Anyway I'm back and intend on making this a daily blog of some sort.

 

   My goal with this just as with my website www.forteelectric.com is to help people light their homes properly. So many people are in the dark Smile when it comes to lighting. Sadly the help they need is not usually found in the places one would expect. Lighting retailers rarely ever employ a lighting professional but rather lighting sales people. Even electricians many times are not very interested in creative lighting. I hope to continue this on a day to day basis so please tune in!

Posted by ltngbolt at 06:02 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)


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