Choosing Lighting for Each Room in your Home

Lighting sets the mood and tone for each of your rooms. Lighting is  also safe and functional. By having a mix of light sources at different levels you will create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere while you choose appropriate lighting for whatever you do in that room.

For your living room consider having light in three of the four corners, focusing one of those lights on an object such as a picture, a plant, or your favorite furniture. Use a combination of table lamps and floor lamps, some with a downward glow and some that shine upward. Use down-glowing lamps on three-way switches over each piece of furniture you will spend time reading there, such as your sofa and favorite chairs. If you have an overhead fixture, put it on a dimmer so you can control the brightness or lower it as appropriate.

In your dining room make the table area the brightest spot so people feel invited into that space. Use a chandelier or dome light on a wire cord above the table that fills that area with warm lighting, limiting the total wattage to 100. In the rest of the dining room area, indirect lighting is best to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Your kitchen will need a focus on overhead lighting with a dimmer switch that you can turn up when cooking and lower when you are finished preparing your meal.

For your bedroom create a comfortable and serene  atmosphere. Place reading lamps or sconces by the bed, but not pointed directly at it. If you have recessed or track fixtures, angle them away from the bed, toward the dressing area. On a low table, include a small, intimate lamp with a tinted low-wattage bulb to mimic candlelight.  Touch lights are also popular to have next to your bed so you can easily turn them on safely if needed when the room is dark. Have a remote to control your lighting that you can use without getting out of bed.

In your bathroom, the best choice for applying makeup is sidelights, such as a pair of sconces flanking the mirror. An overhead light helps fill in any shadows on your face and also fully illuminates the room. If you have a large bathroom, you might also want a light directly over the shower.

For all of your electrical needs, contact or call Cook Electric today at 410-266-9040 or 1-800-966-8812.