How to Choose the Perfect Lighting for Your Luxury Home

Nothing does more to enhance your home's interior space than the right lighting. From natural lighting sifting through the windows to layered lighting in your cozy living room, there are many ways to make your home a happier, more pleasant environment using lighting. 

You may not spend a lot of time thinking about your home's lighting, but if you happen to be in the midst of a home renovation, this is the perfect time. Take a moment to think about how you can upgrade your home's lighting to improve your quality of life and the value of your home. Communicate your ideas with your Connecticut contractor to get started with your lighting upgrade.

Why the Right Lighting Matters

Lighting can be an afterthought in some home remodeling projects, but it shouldn't be. Selecting the right lighting for your home can serve many purposes. 

• Set the mood. Lighting does a lot to change the mood inside your home. Replacing old, insufficient fixtures with new, attractive light fixtures can make your home brighter, more cheerful, and more welcoming.
• Make your home safe. Dark spaces can be unsafe spaces. Accidents happen easily when you can't see where you're going or what you're doing. Install layered lighting that eliminates shadows to help prevent household accidents.  
• Make your home easier to sell. Are you selling your home sometime soon? If so, improved lighting can make your home's interior more attractive and welcoming to potential buyers. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Lighting

There are many factors to consider when you're choosing lighting for your home's interior space. Here's what to think about as you make design decisions during your interior renovation. 

Functional Use

What do you use this space for? Consider the functional use of the space as you choose light fixtures. For example, task lighting is typically found in kitchen areas and in spaces like home offices. Task lighting offers strong, directional, focused light that makes tasks easier. 

Overhead lighting is common in rooms all over the house to provide general ambient light. Most rooms have a combination of overhead lighting with other light fixtures to provide as much functionality as possible. 

Pendant lighting is another example of lighting that serves a function, as it often provides cozy, intimate illumination in spaces where people sit, relax, and eat. 

Budget

Your budget is another factor to consider when you're installing new lighting, especially if you're installing new lighting throughout the whole home. Costs can add up when you're replacing many light fixtures at once. If you're working with a contractor to remodel your home, communicate your budget to your contractor.

Until you've selected specific fixtures for your remodel, the contractor will write a contract that includes an estimated cost per fixture (called an allowance). Once you know the final cost, your contractor will update the contract and either raise or reduce the contract cost if your light fixtures aren't exactly as estimated.  

Architectural Style and Personal Preferences

Consider your home's architectural style as well as your personal preferences when choosing light fixtures. There are countless different styles and types of light fixtures available. In fact, lighting can get very creative. There's no reason to settle for a light fixture you don't find that impressive when there are so many options that you might love. 

How to Decide Positioning

Once you've selected lighting for your home remodel, the contractor will work with your electrician to help you decide where lighting should be placed. Together, you'll be able to choose positions for each light fixture to meet your home lighting goals. 

This happens through a process called a physical layout. During the layout, you'll stand in the room and discuss your needs and lighting preferences. Next, the electrician will suggest where each type of light fixture should be installed. Together, you and the electrician should be able to come up with a light design that is functional and attractive. 

Where to Get Lighting During a Renovation

If you're working with a reputable contractor for your home upgrade, your contractor will likely send you to a distributor that sells lighting. This specialist will have a range of quality light fixtures available to choose from. This makes shopping easy, and when you're buying from the distributor, you can feel safe that you're selecting lighting that you can count on.

Which Lighting Is Popular Right Now?

There are many different types of lighting that you can install in your home. At Litchfield Builders, we've seen a range of fixtures installed in Connecticut homes. The most common type of lighting by far is recessed lighting. Recessed lights - also called can lights - have become more popular as they've become easier to install. 

Sometimes our clients turn to artistic light features that add character to their space. Pendant lighting, chandelier lighting, and some wall-mounted lights can get very creative. If you're hesitant to choose unusual light fixtures but secretly want to give your space a special character, consider working with an interior designer that can help you choose the right fixtures to capture your home's character and style. 

Start Your Next Home Improvement Project

If you're ready to start your next home improvement project, start by hiring the best Connecticut contractor for the job. Download the Litchfield Builders guide to hiring a home remodeling professional. Litchfield Builders has been in business for nearly 30 years, and we're happy to help with your next home improvement project. Contact us for a free consultation.