Lighting Fixtures

How a light fixture can affect the mood, style and overall feel of a room.

Have you ever been in a room and felt immediately at ease? Maybe a certain room tends to make you feel anxious? Chances are that your mood in that room is affected by the color of the walls and the decor. Red rooms tend to make you forget time and relax (bars, restaurants) and it's been proven that a yellow bedroom is a bad color for a happy marriage.

Well, just like the color in the room, the light fixtures you choose for a room can make a huge difference in your mood while you're in that room and it can affect the whole feeling of the room itself. Imagine your family room with bright florescent lighting overhead. Probably not the best choice for a cozy, relaxing room. Imagine a dining room with only a few lamps. Maybe an ok choice for a romantic experience with a loved one but not the best solution for an energetic family dinner. Overhead lighting or a nice chandelier with adequate light would be ideal. Chandelier lighting helps the light in the room to spread evenly vs. other fixtures where the light if more focused and reserved to a certain portion of the room.

The style of the lighting fixture you choose is important too. The furniture and decor in the room should be the same style and/or period as the lighting fixtures that you choose. Learn to identify different style or talk to an experienced sales person to help you understand your options so you are not choosing a modern fixture for room full of antiques.

The lighting that you choose for a room can show your style and originality as well. You might have good taste in art but if the room is poorly lit or the fixtures are standard "big box" store pieces, then the presentation of the room will be lacking. When possible, make unique choices. There are thousands of options when choosing lighting fixtures. Everything from simple, modern solutions to ornate, carved pieces that resemble art as much as they serve the function of lighting the room. If the setting is right you can even choose unique shapes with animals, foilage and fruits as well as exotic and completely odd if you desire.

Light fixtures can accommodate one bulb or twently or more! Consider this when making your choices because it will make a huge difference. Decide if you want to light the whole room or provide lighting that will be more moody and possibly showcase elements of the room like plants, flower arrangements or artwork.

The light bulbs you choose for your lighting fixture is important as well. Light bulbs come in different types and styles that can effect the mood of your room. Standard bulbs tend to cast a warm, yellowish hue throughout the room but new, energy efficient bulbs can have a whiter, colder light. Some are even abrasive and should only be used where stark, bright light is needed.

In summary, choosing lighting fixtures should not be something that is an afterthought. Your lighting fixtures are an important part of your room in many ways. Take the time to shop and experiment with different light bulbs. Find your own personal style that will turn an ordinary room in the perfect room.