Lighting is one of the key elements that helps make your house a home. The proper lighting enables you to perform tasks easily, makes you feel safer and more comfortable, and allows you to enjoy your home at its full potential. Each room, however, has specific and unique General and Accent lighting needs. We’ve laid out some tips and ideas to consider when planning your lighting needs for each room in your home. If you are uncertain about what type of lighting fixture you need, or you're just looking for inspiration, take a few minutes to browse through our guide!

Foyer, Halls, and Stairways

The foyer conveys the first impression of a home's interior. Center a traditional chandelier, contemporary pendant, or transitional close-to-ceiling fixture in your hallway to provide basic illumination and create a welcoming atmosphere. When choosing lighting for your foyer, hall, or stairway, consider the following:

• For General Lighting, make sure to size the decorative fixture to the space. Not all foyers can accommodate a large chandelier, so make sure the size proportions are correct. Likewise, if you have a larger space, you'll need a larger fixture. If you'll be able to view the fixture from above, make sure to select a foyer chandelier or pendant that looks attractive from second story viewing.
• Remember that stairways and halls must have good general lighting for safety. To prevent accidents, stairs should be lit from top to bottom with switches in both places. For safety in hallways, place lighting fixtures every 8 to 10 feet. Tie in the fixtures you choose by matching your foyer chandelier or pendant with semi flush ceiling lights for hallways and smaller chain hung lights for stairways.

• For Accent Lighting needs, use matching wall sconces to complement the hanging foyer pendant or chandelier. Always mount a wall sconce above eye level (approximately 66” from the center of the fixture to the floor) so that the lamp source is not visible.

Tips:

• Make your artwork come to life and illuminate it with halogen light from track or adjustable recessed down-lighting
• Add a dimmer and really set the tone of your room
• Mirrors add a special decorative touch to a foyer

Living Area

Enhance your room's ambiance, dramatize wall textures, accent artwork, or just provide general illumination for your den, living room, family room, playrooms, or bedrooms. A variety of different types of lighting fixtures will work for both your general lighting and accent lighting needs, so consider the following:

• For General Lighting, recessed lighting is one of the preferred ways to light a general area because the light source is concealed. Close-to-Ceiling Fixtures, Wall Sconces, and Interior Lamps are also excellent choices and provide ample lighting. These fixtures are not only decorative pieces, but are ideal sources of task lighting for reading or playing games.
• For Accent Lighting needs, recessed lighting or track lighting makes a room come alive by accenting artwork, wall washing, or grazing. Interior lamps are also a great choice.

Tips:

• Use increased wattage in areas where tasks are performed, in rooms with ceilings higher than 8 feet, and in rooms with dark colored floors and walls
• When table space is limited, wallchieres or swing arm lamps are a good alternative
• While traditional wall fixtures with arms remain the most popular form of wall lighting, more contemporary wall sconces are gaining popularity for accent lighting
• If you purchase a light with a three-way switch, you'll need a three-way bulb

Dining Room

Your dining table is in place, chairs are pushed in, and the table is set. The only thing remaining to complete the picture is the center piece, your light fixture. This lighting fixture is the focal point of your room, so it needs to express your own personal style, while still satisfying general lighting needs. Whether your dining and entertaining style is casual and laid back, or is generally more formal, choose a fixture that reflects you, and consider the following:

• For General Lighting, a chandelier or pendant should do the trick. Both fixtures are excellent sources of lighting and are sure to set the tone of your dining room. Recessed wall washers can also provide additional light while helping to create an illusion of a larger room space. When hanging a chandelier, make sure that the chandelier is 6" to 12" smaller than the narrowest side of the table. The bottom of the pendant or chandelier should be approximately 30" above your table.
• For Accent Lighting, the use of adjustable halogen recessed fixtures aimed on the table and chandelier will provide additional light on the table, and will also bring out the brilliance of the chandelier. Consider companion sconces on either side of a china cabinet or hutch.

Tips:

• Consider a chandelier with an integral downlight for additional light on the table
• Undercabinet lighting mounted inside valences and cabinets adds drama
• Chandeliers with 200 to 400 overall wattage provide abundant illumination for a dining room

Kitchen

The kitchen is often the busiest part of the house. Not only are your meals prepared here, but your family and guests gather here as well. Sufficient and adequate lighting is a must for performing all your culinary needs, helping your kids with their homework, and reading the paper. When selecting lighting for your kitchen, consider the following:

• For General Lighting, decorative fluorescent fixtures centered over a workspace are a most common choice. Kitchens less than 100 square feet require a two lamp fluorescent, up to 250 square feet will require supplemental lighting. Down lights mounted 18" off the edge of the cabinets, and spaced 3' to 4' on centers is an excellent way to create additional general lighting.
• The use of undercabinet lighting helps prevent shadows on the counters, while adding critical light to the workspace. Fluorescent undercabinet fixtures are also a cost efficient lighting source. In open areas over sinks use recessed downlights mounted directly over the sink. Mounting mini-pendants 18" to 24" above the work surface is an ideal way to light up a breakfast bar or counter dinettes, a pendant on a dimmer, hanging 24" to 30" above the table, is ideal for task lighting. Size the fixture to roughly 12" less than the diameter of the table.
• For Accent Lighting, the key is to give your kitchen that extra dimension. Illuminate your special home objects, architectural detail, or food presentation areas with track or recessed lighting. Use undercabinet lighting in cabinets, valences, and toe spaces and create drama while also supplying additional light to navigate around your kitchen in the evening.
• Because kitchens are used from dawn to dusk, we can't always rely on windows and sky lights to provide us with natural lighting. Choose fluorescent lights to provide that missing ambient lighting. The ambient light provided by fluorescent fixtures will fill in your kitchen's shadows, reduce contrast, and light vertical surfaces to give the space a brighter feel.

Tips:

• A glass or plastic pendant will provide ample "up-lighting" to cover the entire dinette area with light
• Sketch a plan of your kitchen that focuses on activity areas and then decide what kind of light each area will need: general, task, accent, or decorative
• Use higher watt bulbs in task areas

Bath and Vanity

Bathroom lighting is probably the last place people want to invest time and money. Mirrors go unlit, and oftentimes one ceiling fixture is used to light up the sink, mirror, and shower. However, as whirlpool tubs become larger and steam showers are added, more and more time is spent relaxing in the bathroom. Since you begin and end your day in the bathroom, why not spend a little extra time considering which fixtures and lights would work best? When looking into Bath and Vanity lighting, consider the following:

• For General Lighting, areas over 100 square feet require several recessed down lights or decorative surface mounted fixtures. Use companion flush or semi flush mounts to supplement bathroom vanity lights in larger bathrooms.
• For task lighting, one fixture mounted over the mirror is a good way to light a bathroom, but it can cause shadows on the face. If using recessed lighting, avoid creating shadows by not mounting them directly over the mirror. Adding wall sconces to the side of the mirror is one of the best way to eliminate shadows on the face. For mirrors under 48" wide use vertically mounted vanity lights and position them 75 to 80 inches above the floor. If the fixture uses exposed lamps, do not use a higher wattage than 40 watts. Fixtures with clear or well diffused glass use no more than 75 watts. Color corrected fluorescent lamps should be used when fluorescent fixtures are desired. In the shower, use recessed lights or a flush mount plastic unit.
• For Accent Lighting, a small recessed light directed at a piece of decorative art work or a beautiful powder basin creates an extra layer of lighting. Angle a recessed shower fixture and highlight nice tilework or make your shower fixtures sparkle.

Tips:

• Don't forget the area over the commode! A recessed unit is always a great addition
• A crisp white light renders skin tones most accurately
• Halogen bulbs are generally the standard for bathroom lighting, but the newest compact fluorescent bulbs are also a great option

Exterior Lighting

Whether your goal is to enhance the beauty of your home, or provide additional security, there are numerous lighting options to light up your home's exterior. These lights are both functional and fun! Extend the hours you can spend outside, or create a festive environment! When choosing the appropriate lighting fixture for your need, consider the following:

• For General Lighting, select a design and size to complement your house while providing sufficient lighting for safety. When installing a wall lantern, size the fixture to the door and surrounding space. Wall lanters should be mounted slightly above eye level at about 60" to 66" from the center of the fixture to the floor. Post top lanterns are an excellent way to light a walkway, while complementing wall lanterns. Large post top lanterns make a better impression when used in large open space.
• For Security Lighting needs, PAR lampholders mounted on each corner of the home are an effective low cost solution. Recessed lights in the eaves add additional light, while accenting doors and doorways.
• For Landscape Lighting, landscape lighting techniques, deck lighting, and step lighting not only bring out the beauty of the home at night, but also add extra security