12 Expert Tips for Lighting Your Great Room

Thanks to a mix of table lamps, ambient lighting and cost-saving bulbs, this lavender-toned great room is beautifully lit both day and night. See the elements that went into this room's lighting plan.

As CFL (compact fluorescent bulbs) continue to become the most popular choice for energy-conscious homeowners worldwide, manufacturers continue to fine tune the way they look and function. Designers have started to embrace CFLs, as they're now compatible with dimmers and provide white or blue light, mimicking the color temperature of natural sunlight. To ensure that the colors of your interior read truly, it's smart to invest in higher-end bulbs rather than ones that give off yellow light.

Hardwired electrical dimmers can drastically change the look and feel of any space, especially a great room with multiple lighting sources. Although there are many styles available, designers suggest streamlined toggle dimmers, which look just like any other basic light switch and come in white, off-white, black and metallic tones. If you're interested in adding dimmers to your great room, estimate approximately $85 to $175 per switch for professional electrician services.

Pendant lights installed over utilitarian areas, such as kitchen islands or wet bars, provide functional task lighting and delineate these areas from nearby zones. Before installing a group of pendants, first consider the electrical costs for additional junction box installation. Electricians will have to locate joists, then reinforce the space between them to fasten the pendants to the junction boxes with equal spacing. This can be a labor-intensive, time-consuming process that involves messy drywall repair. Consult with an electrician to get an estimate for installation, since the total cost could equal or exceed that of the light fixtures themselves.