Creative Room Lighting
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-310 -- More Projects »
Lighting expert Roger Kuerbs points out creative ways to light up a room.
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Figure A
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Figure B
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Figure C
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- Highlight a planter in the corner of a room by placing a light behind it. Decorate with some inexpensive clear holiday lights for an added touch (figure A).
- Make a creative light diffuser out of a metal colander (figure B). Just buy a lamp base at a home-improvement store and mount the colander for a lampshade.
- Draw attention to wall art with lighting (figure C). Increase the impact of the photos within a room by illuminating them with picture lights, or mounting the lights. Do not use flammable materials as lampshades.
- If you want to increase the height of a room, use uplighters that will draw the eye upward. You can use tall standing lights, or plant lights that cast light up the wall. If you are using a plant light, be sure to use fluorescent bulbs because they emit less heat (better for plants), use less electricity and last longer than regular bulbs. You could also use various colored bulbs to complement either the plant or the room.
- Blend lights into their surroundings to create a harmonious and relaxed effect by using leftover paint from the room to paint opaque wall lights.
- If you find a lamp with the right base, but with the wrong color of lampshade, consider buying it anyway and replacing the shade. Plain shades are sold separately in home centers and decorating stores. You could decorate the lampshade yourself by covering it with a fabric that matches a pillow or curtain. Another option is handmade paper in a color that complements your walls.
- Using light-colored lampshades saves money by reflecting more light from lower-wattage bulbs.
- You can make your own cove lights with vinyl gutter. Run the gutter across the top of the wall, then put Christmas or fluorescent lights in it. Make a small notch in the gutter to run the cord through.
- An inexpensive way to dim lights is to purchase an inline lamp cord dimmer (found at a hardware store).
- Use tie wraparound cords to keep them out of the way and to prevent injury. Another unique way to wrap cords is to use flexible tubing. Buy one-inch diameter tubing, make a slit down the tubing and slip the cords inside the tube.
- Dust light bulbs on a regular basis because dust can reduce the amount of output light by up to 50 percent. A feather duster works well for this.
- If you want to brighten up a room, place lamps in the corners to reflect light Use colored bulbs as an accent or to blend in with the walls.
Guests Roger Kuerbs
Lighting Expert, Citilights Lighting Inc.
1619 Hennepin Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612-333-3168
Fax: 612-333-6510
Website:
www.citilights.com
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