Updating your lighting can make your home safer and more economical. Let’s find out how you can cut costs and take a look at what you can do to improve your home’s lighting.
Upgrade to Smart Bulbs
The ability to turn lights on and off from your phone is no small thing. Think of all the nights when you were comfortable in bed and had to destroy your cultivated cocoon to flick a light switch. No more, we say! Smart bulbs come with a bit of a down payment, but the efficiency and simplicity they provide are well worth it.
Add Dimmer Switches
Your dining room is begging for the ability to dial lighting to the perfect degree. An intimate dinner party shouldn’t be as bright as family game night, so consider installing dimmer switches. Dimmers help you save on electricity and offer complete control over your lighting’s mood and balance.
Layer Your Lighting
A single overhead light just doesn’t cut it for a well-lit home. Some rooms simply call for more task-specific lighting, while others need accent lighting to shine.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting refers to that overhead light we mentioned before. This is an important piece of the process, but it’s more functional than anything. Ambient lighting is what’s included with your ceiling fan or your dining room’s light fixture, and lower lumens are okay here. This lighting’s primary focus is shedding light everywhere it can.
Task Lighting
Task lighting describes lighting that helps you accomplish a task. Your office desk lamp, for example, is a form of task lighting (offices are exceptionally tricky to light, so seek specific help for that room). Every room comes with its own set of tasks, and brightness is key here. Adjustability is a great benefit as well, both in brightness and color temperature.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is less about functionality and more about aesthetic presentation. You can use accent lighting to highlight specific areas or possessions that you love, but you can also use it to highlight beautiful light fixtures. There are some genuinely breathtaking pendant lights, floor lamps, and table lamps that can enhance a space all on their own.
Switch to Energy Star
You probably won’t convert all of your bulbs to smart bulbs, but think about changing them to Energy Star bulbs. These bulbs can save you money on electricity bills (they cut energy use by about 75 percent). There are plenty of other ways to save on your energy bill if you’re looking to cut costs further!
Now that you know what you can do to improve your home’s lighting, switch out your bulbs and start layering. You’ll see the results in no time!