When you buy a new home it typically comes with adequate lighting of a fairly generic style. If you’ve bought an older home, it likely has had lighting upgrades over the years that don’t suit your tastes. Either way, lighting upgrades are a relatively inexpensive way to change the décor of your house and make it feel like a personalized home. You’ll have the new lighting for years to come, so it’s worthwhile to take some time and consider what you’ll be happy with before starting the project.
Reasons to Install New Lighting
In addition to cosmetic appeal, there are a number of other reasons to consider new lighting upgrades. A popular reason is for security. This doesn’t necessarily mean safety against potential thieves, but for personal safety against tripping hazards if there are unlit areas in your yard or driveway. Additionally, you may want specific lighting for a desk, reading area, food prep area, or to create a focal point in a room.
Lighting Styles
There are different types of lighting styles that can achieve each of your goals. Pendant lighting, ceiling fans, or decorative globes in the style and color of your choice are best for adding your personal style to the home. Spotlights with or without motion sensors may be your first thought for outdoor security lighting, but outdoor lamps and ground level pathway lighting can also achieve those goals while remaining more subdued and welcoming. For lighting specific to a workspace or to accent a prized focal point, you may want recessed lighting that doesn’t stand out or draw attention to itself when turned off yet provides clear vision when you want to have it on.
Choosing a Contractor
Regardless of the style and function you want your lights to provide, you’ll want to hire a contractor to assure they are installed safely and up to code. You can also rest assured a licensed electrical contractor has the experience with different lighting to help you make a decision because he has seen what works and looks nice in other homes, along with what is currently popular with other homeowners. Further, the electrical contractor may have access to lighting styles not available at the local home improvement store and provide options you wouldn’t have otherwise considered.