Lighting is so important in a room, both for atmosphere and for practical reasons. The floor lamp we have in our family room recently broke (the base cracked and it wouldn't stand up anymore). My husband had to take it out of the room to fix it. That's when I realized how deficient the room was in terms of lighting.
Proper lighting can create a pleasing glow, giving your room a warm and inviting feel. Effective lighting is also important in a home office, workshop or kitchen, where you need a strong enough light source to work efficiently. If you are similarly challenged by lighting issues in your home, read these 5 tips to expertly light your room.
1. Mix different light sources for a cozy environment.
2. Get appropriate task lighting for your job.
Consider the types of tasks you do in your room, whether it be chopping veggies in the kitchen, putting on makeup in the bathroom or creating your next fab diy project in your home office or workshop. You'll need sufficient overhead lighting in every single room, as well as task-specific lights, such as under-cabinet lights for your kitchen counter or a table lamp for your desk or work surface. In the bathroom, install sconces on either side of the mirror to complement the overhead light and help you see that lovely face!
3. Install dimmers.
Lighting preferences are personal, aren't they? My husband likes to watch TV in the dark, but sitting in the dark with just the glow of the TV in my face drives me crazy! That's why dimmers on overhead lights are a necessity. They allow each member of the family to personalize the lighting to his or her own tastes. They can also decrease your energy usage.
4. Choose your bulbs wisely.
Old-fashioned incandescent lighting is dying off for good reason. While an incandescent bulb may last you a year or so, an LED bulb, although more expensive, can last thousands of hours. The LED also uses a fraction of the wattage, saving energy and money. Remember when compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) took over from incandescent lights? More energy-efficient, yes, but how annoying is that delay before they get to full brightness? Look for instant-on CFL bulbs if you're going to buy them. The fact that they contain even just a small amount of mercury is a little off-putting too, if you ask me. Be sure to open a window and remove all remnants of the bulb if it breaks. Halogen lamps are incandescent bulbs with halogen gas trapped inside with the filament. They are similar in cost and light quality to incandescents, but more efficient. This could be a good compromise bulb if you aren't ready for LEDs everywhere.
5. Think outside the box.
Lighting options are plentiful nowadays. There are many stylish fixtures which, positioned properly, will act like a piece of art in your home. A chandelier in the master bathroom can be a stunning showpiece, for example. Or use impact-making (and space-saving!) wall sconces next to your bed rather than the usual table lamps. Use rope lighting to add interest to a wall or window and create a cozy vibe.
I'm a big fan of Parrot Uncle's vintage industrial lighting. If you like more of a traditional look, check out their classic Tiffany lighting and antique Tiffany chandeliers. They have a number of free shipping options and returns are free within three days of delivery.
Visit Parrot Uncle on Twitter @Parrotuncle or on Facebook to hang out with other home decor fans.
Use the rafflecopter below to enter to win a $50 e-gift card to Parrot Uncle.* Pick out your favourite light fixture - maybe it's the classic Tiffany, the antique Tiffany chandelier, a modern novelty lamp or one of those vintage industrial beauties. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*This is a sponsored post. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life. Parrot Uncle is running the giveaway and is responsible for prize fulfillment. All images are courtesy of Parrot Uncle.
Get Really Cool Light Fixtures at Parrot Uncle
If you are on the hunt for new lighting, check out the wide selection of really cool lights at Parrot Uncle. They ship worldwide and they have interesting options that you might not see elsewhere, like these novelty wooden lamps, above.
Parrot Uncle has stylish ceiling lights, wall lights, ceiling fans, outdoor lighting and more. They offer something for every budget - just use the price slider to look at products in your price range. There are plenty of great deals to be had, as Parrot Uncle offers significant savings on regular retail prices.
Visit Parrot Uncle on Twitter @Parrotuncle or on Facebook to hang out with other home decor fans.
Enter to Win a $50 E-Gift Card From Parrot Uncle - Worldwide Giveaway!
Use the rafflecopter below to enter to win a $50 e-gift card to Parrot Uncle.* Pick out your favourite light fixture - maybe it's the classic Tiffany, the antique Tiffany chandelier, a modern novelty lamp or one of those vintage industrial beauties. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*This is a sponsored post. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life. Parrot Uncle is running the giveaway and is responsible for prize fulfillment. All images are courtesy of Parrot Uncle.
The 19.19" Modern Style Acrylic Shade Mirror Wall Sconce in Brass Finish is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI really want some new wall sconces too!
DeleteI really like the Retro Industrial Style Black Pot Cover Shape Pendant Light
ReplyDeleteThat's a great one!
DeleteSuch great tips! I love using dimmers. It really makes such a difference! And PU's 10 lights iron chandelier is so on my wish list!
ReplyDeleteThanks Thalita! I hope you get that chandelier you want. :) Jo
DeleteI like the 6 Lights Antique Pendant Light with Metal Arms in Rust Finish!
ReplyDeleteThat is really beautiful Victoria! Good choice. Thanks for entering. :)
DeleteThey are all amazing but if I had to I would choose Mediterranean Style Curved Pole Green White Tiffany Table Lamp
ReplyDeleteI like 3 Three Lights Black Modern Iron Pendant Light for Dining Room
ReplyDeleteLove all the lighting options, ideas and tips you've presented! They do seem to have such cool and reasonably priced lighting options, don't they?
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed! Thanks so much Jane and Sonja! :)
DeleteThat nifty balance scale pipe table lamp
ReplyDeleteyour lights are STUNNING!!!!
ReplyDeletewe need to replace every light fixture except for 1 in our home if you can believe it.
my fav - so hard to choose just 1 - lantern shaped natural floor lamp and the first one in your photos also is WOW
angelapsept@hotmail.com
Oh I believe it! We need quite a few too!
DeleteI like the idea of using dimmers I just bought a chandelier for the master bedroom.
ReplyDeleteI love all the lights you have posted to hard to decide which is my fav
I need some more dimmers too! And I want a chandelier for my bedroom. :)
DeleteNever had heard of Parrot Uncle before! WOW so many amazing options. I always find lighting difficult but this totally broke it down for me. We have dimmers in the bedroom and LOVE it. It makes waking up easier!!!
ReplyDeleteStephanie @ Mommyzoid
Thanks so much for your kind comment Stephanie!
DeleteI like the Rustic Six Lights Iron Chandelier with Fabric Shades
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely lighting to choose from. I could really use a new desk lamp...something modern, like this cylindrical white lamp with the wooden base. Very cute.
ReplyDeleteHi, I tried to complete the follow the wonderful blogger entry but there's no link.
ReplyDeleteSorry. I didn't set that up. In any case, we can't ask you to follow us on Facebook. I'll ask for that to be corrected. Please feel free to indicate that you completed that option if you can. It should be a visit to Facebook only. Thanks. https://www.facebook.com/Woman.in.Real.Life
DeleteI love the Concrete Pendant Light with Pebbled Shade.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.parrotuncle.com/4-candle-like-shade-pendant-light-with-matte-black-iron-frame-in-medium-size-cy-cyddfbm.html
ReplyDeleteThat one is awesome!
I love the Tiffany Style White Flowers Pattern Stained Glass Chandelier: https://www.parrotuncle.com/tiffany-style-white-flowers-pattern-stained-glass-chandelier-xh-pu161377.html
ReplyDeleteI love the Bronze Metal Frame White Linen Shade Pendant Light :)
ReplyDeleteCommercial cleaners are often preferred for cleaning offices, hotels etc. Thank you for sharing about these cleaning products. As a fellow company providing farmhouse chandelier , I am glad to come across this. Great blog.
ReplyDeletetischlampe mond Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info.
ReplyDelete