Top Considerations for Selecting Your Lighting Fixtures
Today, I am going to get into the essential considerations to keep in mind before selecting lighting fixtures for your home. Lighting plays a pivotal role in creating the ambiance, functionality, and overall aesthetic of your living spaces. From understanding different types of lighting to considering factors like color temperature and energy efficiency, making informed choices can transform your home into a cozy and inviting sanctuary. Let’s explore the key factors that will help you make the best decisions when it comes to illuminating your space.
McGee & Co
COLOR TEMPERATURE
When it comes to choosing lighting fixtures for your home, there's a crucial step to consider before getting to the fun part: light bulbs and color temperature. This decision plays a huge role in how you perceive and experience a space. Picture the warm, inviting ambiance of a cozy restaurant bathroom versus the cold, clinical feel of a hospital waiting room.
Residential lighting typically falls within the 2700 to 3000 Kelvin range, and while delving into the technical details can be overwhelming, let's keep it simple! Kelvin is the scale used to measure color temperatures. Aim for around 2700 Kelvin for a cozy, warm yellow light, perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere. If you prefer a brighter, truer white light that mimics natural daylight, go for around 3000 Kelvin.
For both my and my client’s homes, I always go for 3000K for the recessed lights to achieve a bright yet comfortable feel. Anything above 3000 Kelvin can give off a cold, clinical look, so it's essential to check the lightbulb labels and choose the right bulb to create the desired ambiance in each space. Remember, never install a light bulb with a color temperature above 3000K if you want to avoid that harsh, hospital-like glare at home.
LIGHTING FUNCTIONS
Sometimes you can fall in love with a light fixture purely based on its aesthetics, without considering how it will fit into your home. For instance, when selecting lights for your bathroom, it's crucial to opt for fixtures that emit light at face level rather than those with top and bottom light emission. While multi-bulb overhead lights above a vanity mirror may seem appealing for their size, wall sconces positioned at face level are essential for even lighting, especially during makeup application. If you have a wall sconce with a metal shade running across the middle, it's best suited for lining hallway walls to draw attention upward, rather than accentuating the hallway's length. Metal-shaded overhead pendants direct light downward, making them ideal for creating ambiance over a kitchen island, as shown below.
MATCHING FINISHES
This topic sparks a lot of debate, I usually go by categories. Essentially, I aim to coordinate lighting fixtures with the same metal finish within a given space, although they may not necessarily match cabinet or door hardware. Incorporating multiple finishes in a room adds depth and layers, avoiding a monotonous catalog-like appearance.
Opting for fixtures that share identical or similar shapes, colors, materials, or styles will create a sense of harmony in the space, making your fixtures blend together effortlessly as if they naturally belong in the same environment without appearing overly similar. If you love two fixtures from the same collection, use them in separate spaces and apart so that it doesn’t become too matchy matchy. For example, in a home with an open-concept kitchen and living area, you might mix lighting finishes by incorporating a brushed nickel pendant light over the kitchen island, matte black lighting above the dining area, and a brass chandelier in the living room. This blend of finishes adds visual interest and character to the space while maintaining a cohesive look throughout the different areas. It is worth exploring different options to find what works best for your space too!
LIGHTING HEIGHTS
For entrances, corridors, or any area where you'll walk directly under a light fixture, I suggest maintaining approximately 7 feet of space from the bottom of the fixture to the floor. With taller ceilings (typically 10 feet or more), adjust the height accordingly. It's advisable to enlist a professional for installing these fixtures. If possible, have them temporarily hold the fixture while you step back to evaluate the entire room before finalizing the height. While rules can be flexible, this guideline is one I strongly endorse. For pendant lights over dining tables or kitchen islands, leave a distance of 30 to 36 inches from the surface to the bottom of the pendant. Once again, for higher ceilings, adjust the pendant's height accordingly.
Choosing the right lighting fixtures for your home is about more than just aesthetics. It's about creating a cohesive and harmonious environment that enhances the functionality and ambiance of each room. By considering factors like color temperature, placement, and mixing finishes strategically, you can transform your space into a welcoming and stylish retreat. Remember to take your time, explore different options, and trust your instincts to make choices that reflect your unique style and personality. With the right lighting, your home will not only look beautiful but also feel inviting and comfortable for years to come.