How to Buy Lamps and Light Fixtures

Just as jewelry accessorizes a dress, decorative light fixtures accessorize a room and create a mood. More than beauty, however, effective lighting adds safety, comfort and drama. Use illumination from three sources of light: general (or ambient), task and accent. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Choose lighting according to its application. General, or ambient, lighting brightens an entire room indirectly; task lighting helps you read, sew, cook or do paperwork under focused illumination; accent lighting spotlights decorative objects.

2

Experiment with different bulbs to achieve the brightness, warmth of tone or clarity of light you're looking for. Warm incandescent, color-true halogen or super-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs are new on the market. The final type lasts up to 10 times longer but uses only one-third of the energy--for example, a 25-watt compact fluorescent is as bright as a 75-watt incandescent bulb.

3

Use recessed lights, floor lamps and soffit uplights for entertaining and watching television instead of a harsh, single ceiling light. Add table lamps for reading or sewing, and track lights to accent art and architectural features.

4

Create dining-room intimacy with a low pendant or a candle-style chandelier (both on dimmer switches). Use twin lamps on a sideboard for soft background light.

5

Cook up an efficiently lit kitchen. Under-cabinet lights brighten countertops so you don't work in your own shadow. Halogen bulbs render food colors accurately. Position recessed, track and pendant lights to illuminate work centers. Install low-voltage strip lights inside cabinets with glass doors.

6

Furnish the bedroom with general and task lighting for a relaxing atmosphere. Flank the bed with mounted sconces or swing-arm lamps to free up nightstand surfaces. Recessed can lights are inconspicuous and ideal for low-ceiling rooms.

7

Focus on function in the home office. To avoid eyestrain, use at least 100 watts of incandescent or 40 watts of fluorescent task lighting for reading, writing and computer work. Supplement table and floor lamps with uplights and wall washers that spotlight plants or bookshelves.

8

Shop for style and construction as well as price. Fixtures sold at lighting showrooms may cost more, but usually are higher quality, and lighting consultants can offer design advice. Custom finishes, blown-glass shades and halogen bulbs also add to the cost of fixtures.