Product Guide for Light Fixtures

We all think choosing the best light fixtures is so simple until we actually have to do it. Then, like a deer caught in the headlights, we become frozen by fear once we start to realize just how complex a decision choosing the right lamps, ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, and other light fixtures can really be. Just a few of the many choices you will have to make when shopping for lighting fixtures for your home include:

1. Determining how many total Watts of illumination you need for the space
2. Choosing the fixtures to best illuminate the space and provide a balanced lighting
scheme.
3. Deciding upon style of light fixture based upon the interior design style of home and
surrounding furnishings

The total number of Watts you will need is not necessarily some exact science but there is a common formula that will help you determine the approximate illumination required for your space. Simply multiply the length by the width (the square footage of the space) and then multiply again by 1.5 Watts. If your living room is 20’ X 16’, then you will need approximately 480 Watts of total illumination for the space.

Having a balanced lighting scheme is important because it reduces the chances for glare or dark spots in the surroundings. For instance, you could probably find a 480-500 Watt ceiling fixture that would technically supply the necessary illumination for the area. However, directly under the chandelier or flush-mount fixture would likely be too bright while the surrounding walls further away would likely have dark areas. Therefore, you need to illuminate the space with multiple fixtures that produce different types of interior illumination. The three main types of interior lighting include ambient, task, and accent lighting.

Ceiling fixtures, chandeliers, hanging pendant lights, and in some cases even floor lamps are all used to help supply the ambient illumination that provides the overall or general lighting for the space. Task illumination, on the other hand, is used to highlight and illuminate work spaces like kitchen islands, desks, or your favorite reading nook. Typical sources of task illumination include: table or desk lamps, pendants, mini-pendants, wall lamps.

Knowing the tasks and intended uses for a room are essential to helping you determine how many and what kind of fixtures you will need for your space. In the living room, for instance, you may have identified two work spaces that will require some additional task illumination for reading. A pair of 75-Watt table lamps complemented by a chandelier with 4-60 Watt bulbs would leave you about 100 Watts short of what is need to properly illuminate the space. For both ambient and accent lighting, you might want to add some wall sconces that complement your other light fixtures while adding balance to your lighting scheme.

The simple truth is that shopping for lighting fixtures is far more complicated than many of us believe at first. Even when we know how many fixtures we need to properly illuminate the area and balance the lighting scheme, we still need to find those best suited for our interior design, surrounding décor, taste, and budget. However, by simply buying light fixtures made in the same style and using the same materials, you can easily unify the area and create a stunning decorative effect while still properly illuminating your space.

Product Guide for Light Fixtures

Your Pendant Lighting, Billiard Lights, Kitchen Island Lighting and and Mini Pendant Lights Source.

Leading Lighting Designs from Leading Lighting Manufacturers.

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