Recessed Lighting Garden Nursery Landscaping Guide
Recessed Lighting To Highlight Important Areas
By Joel F Mornigstar
If you like a minimalist look, then recessed lighting offers
a clean, streamlined effect. It can increase the amount of light
in a room, highlight artwork or other special features, and open
up spaces so they look and feel bigger.
It’s also an energy efficient product since recessed lights usually
run on a lower voltage than other options, and can be purchased
with energy efficient housings. If you’re thinking about trading
a gaudy, out-of-date crystal chandelier for recessed lights, then
keep reading. We’ll tell you how to get this ultra modern look.
Meet All Your Lighting Needs
There are three main types of lighting that come into play when
you design any room or living area. Ambient lighting provides
general illumination, task lighting serves a specific purpose,
and accent lighting highlights chosen spaces. One of the most
attractive things about recessed lights is that they can be used
to address all of these lighting needs.
This option is also very energy efficient because most are low-voltage
lighting, and in turn will use less electricity. Though recessed
fixtures are most easily installed between ceiling joists, some
are designed specifically for retrofit applications and can slip
into an existing ceiling space through holes made to accommodate
wiring.
Do Not Use On Concrete Ceilings
However, concrete ceilings, ceilings with ornate plaster or delicate
molding details are not good candidates for this type of lighting.
In these spaces, choose a crystal chandelier, mini chandeliers,
hanging lamps, wall sconces or table lamps instead.
How you place recessed lighting will depend on your needs. Unlike
other types of lighting fixtures, recessed lights are tucked away
into the ceiling or wall so it gives a room a more spacious feel.
This makes them ideal for small hallways, tight corners and bathrooms.
Match the size of your recessed light fixtures to how close together
they can be installed. The common rule is that 4-inch fixtures
should be placed at least 4 feet apart and 6-inch fixtures about
6 feet apart. Try to avoid placing the light fixtures too closely
together. This type of installation can make your lighting look
like an airport runway.
Creating Dramatic Lighting In Your Home
Unlike many other types of residential lighting, recessed lights
can be used to create drama in your home. When lighting a three-dimensional
object, such as a fireplace, sculpture or flower arrangement,
it is more effective to light it from two or three different angles.
Instead of boring cabinet lighting in your kitchen, install recessed
light fixtures in the bottom of your cabinets. The light will
wash your counter top with focused light. Be choosy when selecting
the trim for your recessed lights. The trim makes a design statement
and can help focus the light, as well as influence the quality
and glare.
Best To Hire An Electrician
Recessed lighting is a great design choice but you should know
your home and how it was constructed before purchasing any lighting
components. Consult an experienced electrical salesperson on what
parts are needed for your space, including special wiring, transformers,
bulbs or IC-rated housings.
In some local areas you’re required to obtain building permits
to upgrade or install recessed lights. If you aren’t well versed
in electrical wiring, then it would be safer to hire an electrician
to do the job for you. The beauty and versatility of this style
of home lighting is well worth the extra expense.
About the Author:
Joel F Morningstar has written a number of articles on gardening
and landscaping including Backyard
Landscaping, Miniature
Fruit Trees, Front
Yard Landscape, Lawn
Swing, Fast
Growing Trees, Stone
Walkway, Big
Backyard, Deck
Ideas, Swing
Set Backyard, Outdoor
Decor, Patio
Garden, Furniture,
Lawn
And Garden, Design
Landscaping, Lawn
Care, Lawn
Garden.
Keep a lookout for more of his articles on this website.
Little Known Home Lighting Facts....
What types of lighting should I be looking at for my home?
The type of light you need for your home
all depends on what style you prefer. Many people find that a
combination of overhead lights and lamps works best for their
homes. Generally the overhead lights are used when the entire
room needs to be illuminated and the smaller lamps are used when
a person needs a light to illuminate up close. You can also use
track lighting to highlight architectural designs or artwork.
Most homeowners do not use florescent lights.
This lighting is often very harsh and does not look as nice as
softer lights do. It really all depends on what you want. You
can mix a wide variety of lighting types to achieve an overall
effect that can be used day or night. You can also change how
your lights look by changing the wattage of your bulbs.
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