Quick and Easy Lighting Projects

Illumination is the basis of all visual beauty. Without light we cannot see the
attractiveness of a decorative interior. That is why changing the lighting
arrangement in a room can have such a dramatic effect. While most major lighting
installations should be installed during the construction of the building, or
afterwards by a trained and certified electrician, there are a few simple
changes that you can make which can have a powerful impact on the space.

Probably the simplest step you can take to change the illuminated nature of the
space is to switch the lampshades that are covering your lamps. Decorative
stores have a variety of shades that you can choose from, allowing you to select
from different sizes and styles. You can also often bring the lamp in with you
to have a shade fitted to its sizing right there.

If you’re feeling courageous, you might want to try coordinating colored shades
or choosing pieces which are made of reflecting or refracting materials such as
metal or glass. An old lamp shade can be dressed up by simply coating it in a
light colored fabric, or even a pattern. In this way you can create colorful
glowing displays throughout your home.

Another relatively simple thing you can do to change up your lighting is to
install a dimmer switch. This gives you a huge amount of control over the
illumination in the space. By making the room brighter you can add energy and
vigor to the area while dimming the lights will make the space feel more cool,
calm, and intimate. You can either install the dimmer in place of a wall switch,
or place a separate one on each lamp in the house. There are both plug in, and
wire cut installed dimmer switches available at your local hardware store.

A related change is to get any of a number of novelty lighting switches. This
can include things like the “clapper” which can give you a sense of command
every time you light the room. You could also get a motion sensor light switch,
attached to some cool ambient lights that will add a touch of color or glow to
the room by day, and a much needed hands free way to light the space at night.

Sometimes simple things can make a dramatic difference. Placing a line of strip
lights, or tiny hockey puck sized fixtures on the tops of shelves lined with
books can give your home the feeling of a museum library. This is a great way to
illuminate a dark room at night, while also creating a sense of sophisticated
intelligence in the space by highlighting your tomes of knowledge.

You can also do something similar with works of art. Whether it is a portrait
from a local artist or an epic masterpiece from one of the greats, art always
looks better when directly lit. Use this to create subtle, subdued points of
illumination and beauty within your home.

As you can see changing your lighting scheme doesn’t necessarily require the
help of an expensive electrician. Sometimes something as simple as a novelty
switch or an interesting shade can help to completely change the look of the
room. The fact that the piece is illuminated will make it inherently stand out;
giving it a sense of presence that will catch peoples’ eyes and captivate their
attentions.

This article is sponsored by the beautiful and elegant onyx lamps that you can find
at PebbleZ. The article itself was written by artist and designer Joey Pebble.