Our best tip is to start with the type of lamp you’re after before deciding on the style. That may feel counter intuitive at first because we’re all very visually oriented and aesthetics are typically the first concern, but by starting with the type or intended task for the lamp you’re ensuring the lamp will actually perform its intended task, rather than just sit there looking pretty.

Here are some tips for selecting the right table lamp

• First decide on the application. Decorative table lamps only need to provide the proper amount of ambient light in the room and yes, being attractive doesn’t hurt at all. Reading lamps benefit from a diffuser, aiming arm and dimmer switch. Buffett lamps, as the name suggest, are meant to illuminate a surface at standing height. Likewise, desk lamps are intended to provide illumination for a desk, but shield the light source from direct eye contact.
• Consider selecting a lamp made from a heavy material. Because a table lamps are free standing, it’s always a good idea to select something substantial that will be stable in its place. Lamps made from solid wood, cast iron, brass, ceramic and natural stone are great choices for the home. This is true whether you are getting a table lamp or a floor lamp
• The right shade can make or break the lamp. There is more to shades than just their aesthetic appeal; the shade can greatly affect the amount of lighting that you get from the lamp. An opaque shade will send light only up or down whereas a diffused shade will spread the light around in multiple directions. You do want to consider the aesthetics as well, though. For example, do you want a shade made from a hard fabric like vinyl or one made from a soft fabric, such as silk?
• Don’t forget the dimmer. It is always good to have different light level options with your lamps. Many portable lamps come with built-in dimmer/slider switches to make this simple for you.
•  Pay attention to detail. People get right up close to portable lamps a lot of the time so after you’ve selected the proper lamp type; it’s worth it to pay attention to the great decorative detail that can be found on some portable lamps.
• Don’t ignore the light bulb. These days it is very important for you to look at what type of light bulbs can be used in the lamps that you choose to purchase. Traditional incandescent light bulbs are being phased out so you may want to look for a lamp that allows you to use a CFL bulb or better yet, an eco-friendly LED light bulb.
• Keep in mind that special applications may benefit from specific lamp types. For example, piano lamps and desk lamps are suited to specific tasks and may not be right for general use.

Matching Doesn’t Always Mean Identical

If all that you needed to do was to pick out a single lamp for your home then the task probably wouldn’t seem so difficult. Where it may seem a little daunting is getting the multiple lamps needed for your home to match or share a common theme. You will want all of these light sources to complement one another.

Here are some tricks for choosing matching or complementary lamps:

• Choose lamps from the same line. Once you find a single lamp that you really like then you can look at the other lamps from the same manufacturer if you’re having trouble finding lamps with a similar theme. Often there will be an entire line of lamps that you can choose to make the process easier. (Of course mixing multiple lines is fine too)
• Stick with a color scheme. The simplest solution is to go with a monotone throughout the house and jazz them up a bit with the shade selection– a modern and effective choice. However you can choose any basic color scheme and stick within it to make sure the theme flows from one room to another.
• Choose a specific material. For example, if you choose a table lamp that has a glass shade then you will want to use glass throughout the room. Similarly, if you choose a portable lamp with a natural stone base then you will want to replicate this material in your other lamp choices.
• Stay with a theme. For example, you may select all vintage lighting or you may choose all contemporary lighting, mixing themes can work but it takes significantly more thought beforehand.

Getting the Proper Amount of Light in the Room

One question that a lot of lamp shoppers have is how many lights they need in a room. This really depends on how many task or accent areas you have (each lamp will provide task/accent lighting for one area) but you can follow these tips to get a better idea:

• The average portable lamp with a diffusing lightshade will light up an area of approximately forty square feet in a circle around the lamp.
• Reading lamps should be placed approximately 20” away from the side of the reading chair. Choose enough lamps to provide reading light for all reading chairs in a room.
• A good estimate is to have 2-3 lamps in a room. They should have a three-way switch or a dimmer to offer maximum and minimum lighting options.

Still confused? Don’t forget that we offer a professional personal shopper service to assist you in finding the perfect lighting solutions for your home!

Having trouble deciding what type of undercabinet lighting is right for you? This guide provides you with insight into our top under cabinet lighting recommendations and the reasons that we recommend these particular models.

Our “Value” Recommendation in Under Cabinet Lighting

If you are looking for quality under cabinet lighting on a budget then we recommend the Sea Gull Lighting 120 Volt Direct Wire Halogen Under Cabinet lights. The affordable 98023 series comes in either a white or bronze finish and is available in a variety of different sizes to suit your specific needs. Unlike some other similarly priced products, the Seagull 98023 series comes with the Halogen bulbs so you won’t have to run to the store to try to find the right light bulbs for your new under cabinet lighting. Most importantly, this is a direct wire 120 volt option that makes it one of the easiest types of undercabinet lighting for anyone to install.

Our Mid-Range Recommendation in Undercabinet Lighting

Not looking for the ultimate  in under cabinet lighting but still want a little more than the value option? we have just the thing for you. While there are many mid-range undercabinet options we recommend the Kichler Series I TaskWork Modular 12 Volt Xenon. This is a 12 volt undercabinet lighting system with a built-in electronic transformer that uses Xenon bulbs, which are included with the purchase. You can use these lights individually, interconnected with cables or snapped together, providing you with numerous configurations to create the perfect under cabinet lighting design for your home.

Each of the individual fixtures has its own Hi-Low, On-Off switch and there is also a Master Switch Option that allows you to turn the lights on and off together as a unit. This means that you can use the undercabinet lights that you need at any given time without wasting lighting in the other areas of the space. There are four sizes to choose from and they come in three different finishes, so there will be a design that easily suits the style of your home.

Our Recommendations for Best Undercabinet Lighting

When we’re asked for our “best” under cabinet lighting, the answer is always Kichler’s Design Pro LED Modular & Disc light series. First of all, they’re LED lights which are a terrific option for anyone who wants to enjoy energy-efficient lighting in the home, without sacrificing quality. The LEDs will last for 40,000 or more hours before needing to be replaced and they are included in your purchase. Not only will you save energy (and costs) around the home but you can install them and then forget about them for years on end without worrying about their maintenance.

That isn’t all that makes the Kichler’s Design Pro series the ultimate in under cabinet lighting, though. Other key features of these lights include:

• They are ultra thin. The 3/8″ profile of the Discs and the 1/2″ profile of the Modular lights makes these undercabinet lights virtually invisible once installed, well until you turn them on! Also the ultra thin profile of won’t interfere with your cabinet space while providing versatile, adequate workspace lighting.
• The lights can be dimmed. The optional Dimming Switch offers 4 levels of control (Off/Low/Medium/High) which gives the right amount of lighting for any task. The high brightness and efficient LEDs have a CRI above 90 and a 3000K color temp. Kichler’s LEDs have true optics with a pure white light and beam control without fading.
• There is also a Night Light option with a photo sensor built in and it only consumes 1 watt of power. This allows for safe, convenient, and efficient lighting at night without having to think about turning on that bright light over the sink or stove.
• There are a variety of connections available. The Discs have spooled wire design inside the fixture, so you just pull out what you need (up to 36″). The Modular & Disc lights can be used together and configured for your lighting needs best suited in your kitchen.
• You can choose your design. You can choose from the basic rectangular modular design or the alternative (and more affordable!) disc-shaped design. You can choose from brushed nickel, brushed bronze, and white finish for either of these models or a black finish on the disc model of the light. There is also an Energy Star rated configuration available. You definitely don’t have to compromise on the design of your space when choosing the right lighting for your home!

Don’t forget that if you have trouble selecting the right Under Cabinet lighting, or any other lighting for that matter, our personal shopper feature can help you out with free professional advice.

Understanding the Mercury Issue

Each CFL bulb contains approximately five milligrams of mercury. If the bulb breaks then the mercury is released. This can be dangerous to the individual if the bulb breaks in the home. If it breaks in the landfill then it can be dangerous to the earth because the mercury then makes its way into storm water and the air. The Association of Lighting and Mercury Retailers reports that four tons of mercury leak into the environment each year because of improperly discarded CFL bulbs. Mercury dangers are cumulative so the more bulbs that end up in the landfill the more dangerous it is for the environment.

Does Your Bulb Contain Mercury?

CFL bulbs are the only household light bulb that currently contain mercury. You can always check the light bulb label before you purchase it to find out if it does have mercury, though. That’s because the new light bulb labels will specifically say if mercury is in the bulb.

How to Handle a Broken CFL Bulb at Home

Follow these tips if a CFL bulb breaks in your home:

• Immediately open all windows to help ventilate the room. Leave the room for at least fifteen minutes after doing this. If your central heating / AC is on then turn it off during this time to make sure that the mercury doesn’t circulate through the rest of the home.
• Put on gloves before handling the broken glass. Scoop all visible glass and powder into a glass jar with a metal lid. Alternatively you can scoop it into a sealed plastic bag.
• Use a thick tape, such as duct tape, to pick up the remaining shards and powder that you haven’t been able to scoop up by hand. When finished, place the tape into the glass jar or sealed plastic bag.
• Use a damp paper towel to go over the surface again to pick up any remaining remnants. Put this into the glass jar or sealed plastic bag.
• Never use a vacuum for cleaning up a broken CFL bulb. You run the risk of spreading the mercury throughout your home. You can vacuum as normal after the area is cleaned up but you should remove the vacuum bag immediately after doing so just to be on the safe side.
• Contact your local recycling center (see resources below) to find out if you can drop your broken CFL bulb. If not, check with your local government to find out what the proper disposal method is in your area. In the meantime, keep the glass jar or sealed plastic bag outside in a safe area.

Proper Recycling of CFL Bulbs

Sustainable Business reports that only 2% of individuals recycle their CFL light bulbs. This number is obviously far too low. What many people don’t realize is that it is actually really easy to recycle CFL bulbs in most areas of the nation. That’s because there are drop off recycling spots at numerous chain stores including IKEA, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Ace Hardware. All that you need to do is head to one of those stores and put the CFL bulbs in their recycling bin and the rest will be taken care of for you.

What if you don’t have one of those stores in your area or the one near you isn’t participating in the CFL bulb recycling program? Don’t fret. You can look up CFL bulb recyclers in your area using the following resources:

• LampRecycle.org. Just go to the site and enter your zip code to find the nearest recycler to you.
• Earth911.com. This site offers an online system similar to the one at LampRecycle.org.
• 1-800-CLEANUP. Just call the number and ask where the nearest CFL bulb recycler is in your area.

You might not realize this but many states actually require by law that you recycle your CFL bulbs. California, Massachusetts and Minnesota are just three examples of such states. This means that the people in those states who fail to recycle their bulbs are actually breaking the law!

Alternatives to CFL Bulbs

CFL bulbs are a popular choice these days. Incandescent bulbs are energy-inefficient and are being phased out anyway. (Learn more about the phase out here). Besides, it can be argued that they actually release more mercury than CFL bulbs do. The bulb itself doesn’t contain mercury but it uses more electricity than a CFL bulb does and Sustainable Business reports that the electricity produced by coal-fired power plants is actually the number one source of environment-threatening mercury emissions. So you’ll want to skip the incandescent bulbs.

However, you may find that you just don’t want to deal with the mercury issue. That’s okay; you do have another option. You can choose to get LED light bulbs for your home. Although they cost more initially than CFL bulbs do, they last a lot longer and save you money over time. Plus they don’t contain mercury. It’s a win-win situation.

Grand Prize

The winner of this giveaway will receive the Quoizel Utopia 3 Light Drum Pendant.

This drum pendant is the perfect item to update any old dining room. The classy design of its cream silk drum shade peeks out from the artistic flair of a black metal shade overlay with gorgeous leaf cutouts. The effect will transform your dining room into a magical place with the perfect ambience. And if one day far into the future you decide that you need a different chandelier or pendant in your dining room then you can move this one to another part of the house because it has a versatile design that will work in almost any room. So, are you ready to win this great prize?

Here’s how to enter:

All you need to do to enter is share your ugly dining room light with us on our Facebook page. Here are the simple steps for doing that.

1. Take a picture of what you think is the ugliest dining room light you’ve ever seen.

2. Visit us on Facebook.

3. Click Like at the top of the page.

4. Click to share a photo on our wall.

5. Select “upload a photo” and upload the image of the photo that you’ve stored on your computer.

6. Add a comment with a little bit of information about the ugly light you want to replace in our contest.

7. Click share and you’re entered! (feel free to share this with your friends)

All of the entries will be reviewed and a winner will be selected by our staff. The winner will be the person with the best ugly lighting photo since that is who really needs this prize!

Runner Up Prize

A random runner-up winner will be chosen from all of the entries

So what does the runner-up win? It’s a great modern Kichler LED desk lamp:

The sleek geometric design of this desk lamp will never go out of style. Since it uses energy-efficient LED bulbs it provides a contemporary but affordable task lighting option for your home.

Deadline

This giveaway will end on June 1st, 2011. Get your entry in by then! A winner will be selected by June 2nd. The winners will be notified by email and announced here on the blog.

The Fine Print

This offer is open to U.S. residents only. Contest void in Florida, New York, and Rhode Island. Also void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Lighting by Lux reserves sole and final judgement in contest, no ifs, ands or buts. Maximum one contest entries per person. Contest entrants must “Like” Lighting By Lux on Facebook between the date of this post and June 1st, 2011 in order to be eligible.”

Chandeliers are Decorative Lighting

The most important thing for you to realize is that these types of lights are designed for decorative lighting more than for functional lighting. Understanding this will help you use these lights correctly.

Tips that relate to this point include:

• Use chandeliers and pendant lights to light specific areas, not whole rooms.
• Select these types of lights for their beauty and aesthetic appeal.
• Place these in rooms that aren’t already dominated by other bold interior décor items so that they can stand out as a statement piece.
• Put these lights in rooms where intimate low-lighting is desirable.

Defining the Chandelier

Let’s start with chandeliers since they tend to be the most impactful lighting option for the home. What exactly is a chandelier? In short it is a light fixture that has a main body off of which protrudes multiple arms and each arm holds its own socket or lamp. A chandelier does not have to be a large and dramatic statement piece of lighting although it can be.

Some tips for using chandeliers in the home:

• Place them in prominent areas of the home such as the dining room or entry foyer.
• Pay attention to the design of the chandelier itself more so than the lighting it produces. It’s the design that makes the statement. Chandeliers can be made from many materials (including wood, crystal and metal) and can be designed in many fashions (both antique and contemporary) so take your time selecting the right piece for your home.
• Select the size carefully. A standard rule to follow is that an average dining room will be able to comfortably hold a chandelier that is 26” – 30” in diameter, single-tiered with 4-6 arms. Rooms with taller ceilings can handle multi-tiered chandeliers.
• Use chandeliers for low-level ambience lighting. The effect that you want to have coming off of a chandelier is one similar to candlelight. Add a dimmer to your chandelier to allow you to manipulate the ambience of the room.

Want to see a really cool modern chandelier? Check out what Schonbek Geometrix is doing with these lights!

Pendant Lights

Some people find that they love the idea of the chandelier and the effect it creates but the many-armed design just isn’t right for them. The category of pendant lights is an alternative to the chandelier that also has great impact in adding ambience to a home with both its design and its low level lighting. There are several different types of pendant lights to choose from:

• Pendant Lanterns. These are vertically-designed lights that hang down from a central chain similar in style to a chandelier. Whereas a chandelier grows outward, the pendant light is sized in terms of vertical height so a longer piece will be most dramatic. Typically this type of light is made from glass panels encased in metal and those panels have beveled edges to refract light and create a glittering light effect. The pendant lantern may replace the chandelier in an entryway although it’s not common to see it used in a dining room setting.
• Pendant Bowls. This is an alternative to the pendant lantern that does make a nice chandelier replacement in the dining room. It is wide (like the chandelier) rather than long (like a pendant lantern). The bowl is a decorative piece that hangs down from the ceiling either by a single stem or a series of stems (usually depending on the size of the bowl). The design of the bowl diffuses light through the bowl to create a soft glow beneath where the pendant bowl is hung. The effect is romantic although it’s possible to add a higher wattage bulb to these lights to use them effectively for task lighting. That’s why you’ll sometimes see the same pendant bowl hung in the dining room as well as the kitchen but with different light bulb wattages in each to create different effects.
• Diffusing Pendants. These are similar to pendant bowls. However, instead of diffusing the light through the bowl itself, the light is diffused through a lampshade. Whereas pendant bowls are almost always made of glass, diffusing pendants may be made of plastic or fabric. This opens up more design options for lighting your home. If you’re interested in trends, a type of lighting that falls into this category and is really hot right now is drum shade pendants.
• Miniature Pendants. As the name suggests, these are small versions of the other type of pendant lamps that you might use to light your home. You can use these to illuminate specific small areas of a room such as a bookcase niche. Alternatively, you can use them in place of larger pendants by setting them up in a line or a cluster to create the effect of a larger light.

Choosing a Chandelier or Pendant for your Home

Finding the right type of lighting for your home always takes time, especially when you’re looking to select a statement piece like a chandelier or pendant light. You should consider the size factor and whether you want a vertical or horizontal design to narrow down your options. After that it’s just a matter of looking at the different styles that are available to see what will work best in your home. Do remember that you’ll need to combine these types of lights with other all-room lighting to have the ambience you want without sacrificing light levels in the room. If you need some help, don’t forget that we offer a personal lighting shopper to assist you in making lighting decisions.

Understanding the phase-out will make you feel better about the fact that the light bulbs you’ve used your whole life are now disappearing. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this phase-out and the answers that will keep you informed:

Q: What is an incandescent light bulb?

A: If you’re not familiar with the term, it just refers to the standard, traditional type of light bulb that most of us still use in our homes today. If you don’t specifically go looking for energy-efficient CFL or LED light bulbs for your home then you are probably using incandescent light bulbs.

Q: Why are incandescent light bulbs being phased out?

A: They are outdated. There are more energy efficient light bulbs options in the market today. We can save the earth as well by getting rid of these old inefficient light bulbs. Consumers can also save money on these bulbs.

Q: Will the new light bulbs cost a fortune?

A: No, not at all. They will be comparable to light bulbs in the market today. In fact, over time they will actually save you money. That’s because they will last longer so you won’t have to pay to replace them as often. They will also drain less electricity so your energy bills will be lower.

Q: I’ve heard that the new light bulbs will have a lower wattage. Does this mean that they won’t be as bright?

No, not at all. Light bulbs are measured in two ways – watts and lumens. Watts refer to the amount of power required to operate the light bulb so when you get a 100 watt light bulb it means that you are getting a light bulb that requires 100 watts of energy to operate it. The other measurement, lumens, is the measurement that refers to the measure of light that we perceive. A light bulb can be 80 watts or 100 watts and have the same number of lumens so it looks the same to our eyes but uses less energy if it’s 80 watts. The phase out is designed to create more energy-efficient light bulbs that use lower amounts of watts but are still as bright as we are used to.

Q: That sounds confusing – how will I know what watts / lumens to look for?

The great thing about the phase out is that it’s happening in conjunction with a new light bulb labeling system that will make it easier than ever before for you to choose the right light bulbs for your home. The new labels on light bulbs provide extensive information about how bright the light is in lumens and how warm or cool the light will appear to the eye along with additional information that can help you select the right light. The labels are designed like food nutrition labels so that you can easily grab two different light bulb packages and compare them to find the best one. Shopping for energy efficient light bulbs has never been easier!

Q: What will I have to do to participate in this phase out?

A: Nothing. The incandescent light bulbs are being phased out at the manufacturing level. The new light bulbs that will replace them will be available in the store in the same place where you buy your light bulbs now. You do not need to get rid of incandescent light bulbs in your own house. When they do burn out, you’ll just go to the store and buy light bulbs like you always do.

Q: When is this happening?

Incandescent light bulbs are already beginning to be phased out in the state of California beginning with the 100 watt light bulb. The rest of the nation will begin participating in the phase out next year. By 2014 all of the incandescent light bulbs across the nation will have been phased out and replaced by the new more energy-efficient models.

Q: What if I still have questions?

Leave your question in the comments below and we’ll do our best to address it in this blog!

Here are seven ceiling fans we love, each from a different brand and in a different style.

1. Fanimation FP2120WA Enigma Metro Gray/Walnut Ceiling Fan. If the contemporary gray finish combined with the attractive walnut blade on this ceiling fan doesn’t make you swoon then perhaps what you’ll be attracted to is the unique design of a single-blade fan. Don’t let that one blade fool you, though; this is a fully functional ceiling fan that offers three speeds operated by remote control.

2. Casablanca’s 86U89M Wilderness Textured Matte Black Unipack Ceiling Fan. If you want to keep things simple with this great ceiling fan then you’ll just enjoy the lovely decoration of its five wooden blades ensconced in textured matte black blade holders that look like gorgeous wrought iron. If you want to dress things up, you’ll add on the removable silhouette display of trees and animals to create glowing warmth for the room the fan is in.

3. Justice Design’s KID-6305 Kid’s Room Cow Over Moon 14″ Fan Light Kit. Can a ceiling fan have a modern design that is young and fresh enough to be suitable in a child’s room? Justice Design thinks so and this ceiling fan is a great example of how right they are. The “cow jumping over the moon” theme that plays around the light on the fan is a great design for kids to fall asleep looking at. They are able to do that in part because of the cool glow in the dark features included on the white swirl glass of this creative ceiling fan. How fun – and definitely not fugly!

4. Maxim’s 89930SN Super-Max Fan. The reversible wooden blades of this contemporary ceiling fan are covered in brushed nickel to create a metal appearance that is absolutely modern. Because the blades are fairly thin and in a standard shape, this ceiling fan can easily look great in a modern room without demanding to be the center of attention. It is remote control adaptable and there are optional light kits available for this ceiling fan so you can personalize it to suit your needs. That’s something important to most homeowners today.

5. Kichler’s 320102ADC Crystal Bay 52″ Adobe Cream Outdoor Ceiling Fan. The intricate design of the leaf-shaped blades on this outdoor ceiling fan will add beauty to any space. The adobe cream finish is particularly impressive since it differs from the standard color scheme of most ceiling fans but it’s worth noting that there are other finish options for people who want a slightly different effect from this same terrific design.

6. Meyda’s 81504 Wild Horses 3 Light Fan Light. You will have to look twice to see that this item is a ceiling fan and not a carousel adorning the upper level of your home. Instead of the traditional shape of separate blades, this fan is a full circle atop which sits a gorgeous bronze display of wild horses galloping around and around the room.

7. Minka Aire’s F531-L-BN/MG Flyte Ceiling Fan. One way that great light designers create unique designs is to play around with the sense of proportion for a product. In the case of this ceiling fan, the neck of the fan is elongated so that you are drawn more to that part of the design than to the three blades that protrude from it. The effect is dramatic and lovely.

Treehugger says that there are typically two types of ceiling fans in the market: “fake, retro country antique” (whatever that means!) and “ultra-modern space age minimalism”. After looking at our roundup, do you agree with Treehugger or with us? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

What are Incandescent Light Bulbs?

Incandescent light bulbs are the traditional light bulbs that most of us have been using all of our lives. They were the standard in the lighting business (especially for residential lighting) for many decades. However, they are rapidly falling out of favor with both consumers and the industry as a whole. That is because these light bulbs are not energy-efficient. They burn out quickly and so need to be replaced often and they waste a lot of energy while they’re working. This is bad for the earth and it also means higher electricity bills for consumers.

Common Replacements for Incandescent Light Bulbs

Consumers who are interested in replacing their incandescent light bulbs with more energy-efficient options have had several options emerge on the market in recent years. The two major options that people select when opting to replace their incandescent light bulbs are:

1. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs). These light bulbs use only about one third of the energy that traditional incandescent light bulbs use. They are fairly affordable for the consumer. As a result, these have quickly become the new standard in the lighting industry, replacing the old incandescent bulbs as the favored choice in lighting.

2. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). These light bulbs are even more energy-efficient than CFLs. The individual bulb costs a lot more than a CFL bulb so it can be pricey to get started with using these bulbs. However, LED bulbs can last many years and are more energy-efficient than CFLs so they’re a wise investment for people seeking to switch away from incandescent light bulbs. They are especially common bulbs for under cabinet lighting, task lighting and lights on dimmer switches although improvements in their technology and some reduction in their price is making it possible that LEDs may ultimately replace CFLs as the brand new industry standard in lighting.

This is a Phase Out, Not a Recall

Many people are vaguely aware that making the switch to more energy-efficient lighting would be in their best interest but they don’t want to invest the time and money to do so. The good news is that the industry itself is making the change for you so that the old incandescent light bulbs will be phased out without any hassle for consumers. The change is coming about as a result of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which established new energy efficiency regulations for light bulbs. Basically what this act means is that there are new energy efficiency standards in place for light bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs simply do not meet these standards. As a result, they are being phased out of the industry. They will simply begin to disappear. They will be replaced by similar bulbs that are more energy-efficient.

Example of New Energy Efficiency Requirements

Here is an example of one of the changes that will be taking place in the industry:

• Clear, frosted and soft white general service incandescent bulbs that are currently 100W will be phased out.
• These bulbs are in the lumen range of 1490-2600.
• This will result in a new maximum wattage allowed of only 72 watts for bulbs in this same lumen range.

Watts vs. Lumens

One of the things that you need to know about in order to understand this is that light bulbs can be measure in both watts and lumens. Watts refer to the amount of power required to run a light bulb. So you need 100 watts (or joules per second) to run a 100 watt light bulb. Lumens refers to the measurable power of light perceived by the human eye. So a light bulb that puts out 1490-2600 lumens of light may previously have been allowed to be a 100 watt bulb but now must do that using only the 72 watts of power allowed under the new rules. This means that a light bulb that puts out the same amount of perceivable light as before will be more energy-efficient.

When The Phase Out Will Happen

Most of the nation will start seeing these changes take place in 2012 but California is leading the way by starting their changes already. Starting this year the state is phasing out 100 W incandescent light bulbs. This will be followed by phasing out 75W bulbs next year and both 60W and 40W bulbs in 2013. The rest of the nation will follow a similar phase-out schedule delayed by one year.

The Info You Need as a Lighting Consumer

It is important to understand that there isn’t a whole lot that you need to do as a consumer as this change takes place. The light bulbs that are made before the cutoff dates are grandfathered in so if they’re on the shelves then you’re welcome to buy them until they aren’t there anymore. The change is taking place at an industry level. However, the one thing that you might want to do to help yourself out as this change takes place is to gain a more complete understanding of light bulb measurements (such as watts vs. lumens). The new light bulbs will have new labels on them that provide you with information about both watts and lumens (as well as a lot of other information) and you can make shopping for the right light bulbs easier on yourself if you fully understand these new labels. We’ve got a guide for you here.

Start with a dramatic entry

The first thing that your guests will see when they enter the home is your foyer, entryway or front hall. This is the area that you should concentrate on for your most dramatic lighting. That way your guests will be impressed as soon as they enter your space. Top lighting ideas for making your entryway more dramatic include:

• Add wall sconces. You can select very powerful dramatic wall sconces for your entryway to attract the eye of your guests as soon as they enter the room. Because sconces are relatively small, a very bold sconce will be beautiful rather than overwhelming in this space.
• Show off an amazing lamp. Is there a corner of your entryway that is empty? Place a stunning floor lamp there that your visitors won’t be able to miss when they walk in the door. They will immediately notice your exquisite sense of style.
• Use track lighting to show off entryway art. If you have a favorite art piece then highlight it. Alternatively, hang special holiday art to set the mood. The right track lighting will make the artwork look perfect.

Focus on kitchen and dining room lighting

The focus of almost all of our holiday celebrations is food. Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner are both major events during the winter season. Often if we’re entertaining we may have people assisting us with the cooking in our kitchens. We’ll certainly have guests enjoying the food in the dining room. Since these areas are the focus of the holiday events, it’s smart to pay attention to updating the lighting in these areas.

• Kitchen lighting should be bright and efficient. The purpose of kitchen lighting is to make it easy to see the tasks that you’re completing in the kitchen. Also make it simpler for guests to find items in cabinets and cupboards by using simple under cabinet lights to illuminate those spaces.
• Select a great chandelier for the dining room. The holidays are a terrific time to update your dining room chandelier. This is one of the most prominent lighting pieces in the entire home and a smart selection can make your holidays absolutely perfect. Consider a very sparkly chandelier like the new Schonbek Geometrix line since the holidays are about glitz and sparkle.
• Add candles to the table for additional lighting. This provides a nice soft light to compliment your other dining room lighting. It adds the warmth that you’re seeking around a holiday meal.

Remember that lights set a mood

Just like candles will suggest warmth and romance, the other lights that you choose for your home entertainment are going to set a mood. Ask yourself what type of gathering this is to determine what type of lighting you want. For example:

• A romantic affair. Are you hosting an intimate gathering for your closest friends or perhaps a romantic dinner? Then you’ll want soft lighting throughout the party space.
• A raucous event. Are you interested in a more festive party-like atmosphere? In that case selecting brighter lighting. Emphasize areas of conversation and board game play with task lighting.
• An all-ages party. Select a mixture of lighting for an event like this. Have bright well-lit areas with less expensive lighting in spots where kids will gather. Place your fancier, softer lighting in the more adult spaces of the rooms.

Consider using light fixtures that have dimmer switches on them. This will allow you to alter the mood of the party as the evening goes on.

Add some holiday lighting

Winter holiday entertaining is definitely enhanced with special lighting. Christmas lights are the most obvious choice. However, white wintry lighting is a perfect holiday addition for any seasonal celebration from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Some tips to follow for holiday lighting include:

• Choose LED lights. They’re safer for your guests and more energy-efficient as well.
• Keep it simple. Unless you are planning to have one of those over-the-top elaborate holiday lighting displays then you should follow the rule of thumb that simpler is better. Highlight specific seasonal items (like your Christmas tree) with great lighting and add some small sparkling lights here and there.
• Don’t forget outside lighting. It’s very important that your outside holiday lighting is set up to make it safe for guests to walk up to your front door. Choose holiday-appropriate path lighting to get this effect.

Remember that you can make small changes throughout the holiday season to update your winter lighting. The majority of your lighting for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s will remain the same. Add a bit of red lighting for Christmas and some additional sparkly for New Year’s to keep the theme fresh and beautiful.

Why Lighting Matters

Does changing the lighting of a home really make a difference to buyers? Yes. Light has the power to flatter a space or make it unattractive. The right lighting can have a major impact on the aesthetic appeal of the home. A dark home looks dingy and unappealing. A home with glaring lights feels harsh. A space with the right amount of task lighting and ambient lighting is warm and inviting, something that buyers are definitely looking for. The right light fixtures can also enhance the design of the home, making it more elegant or more contemporary.

Tips for Improving Existing Lighting

The first thing that you should do is to look at the lights in the home that you want to keep. There are things that you can do to improve existing lights in the home to make the house more interesting for buyers. Top tips include:

• Make sure the paint is right for your lighting. You may have great ambient lighting but if your walls are painted a dark color then the light will get absorbed and the room will seem dark. Re-paint with bright and light colors to enhance the value of your existing lighting.
• Open the curtains. Although your existing lighting is important, there’s nothing better than natural sunlight. Make sure that you let as much of it in as possible when showing off the home to potential buyers.
• Clean all of your light fixtures. This allows the brightness of the lights to shine through and also makes the fixtures themselves more appealing. What a great cheap way to make it more likely that your home will sell quickly.
• Check that all of the lights are working properly. A big mistake that homeowners’ make is that they forget the little details. A buyer who walks into a room and turns on a switch only to find that it doesn’t work is immediately turned off.
• Listen to your lights. If any of them are making a slight humming noise then they are too old and need to be replaced to increase the likelihood of a sale.

Tips for Adding New Lighting

There will be some areas where you want to add new lighting to enhance the value of the home. Here are some tips for adding that important lighting:

• Start with the exterior. Curb appeal is the most important part of getting a home to sell. Make sure that your home’s exterior is well lit with attractive outdoor light fixtures.
• Replace outdated main light fixtures. If you walk into a room and the first thing that you see is an out-of-date light fixture then you’re going to look at the rest of the space with a bad taste in your mouth. Invest in upgrading the main light fixtures that get attention in the home.
• Replace lamps with better all-room lighting. Task lighting is terrific when you’re actually living in a space. However, when you’re looking at whole room to see if you want to live there, you need great ambient lighting. Lamps look like clutter to potential homebuyers and the wrong style of lamp can turn off buyers who would otherwise be interested in the home. Invest in better ambient lighting to avoid this problem.
• Update the light fixtures in the bathroom. This is one area where the task lighting rule doesn’t apply. You should make sure that there’s great lighting around the bathroom mirror. The fixtures should be in keeping with the style of the home. An impressive bathroom can clinch the sale of a home and lighting helps with that.
• Add LED lights in kitchen cabinets. This is a great little touch that appeals greatly to buyers, making it noticeable that you’ve really put some effort into making the house convenient and comfortable for them.

Have your real estate agent or a good friend walk through your home once you’ve completed your lighting updates. They can provide you with an outside perspective as to whether any additional lighting changes should be made to make the home more appealing to buyers.