Lighting Fixtures on a Budget - Affordable Options for Every Space

The Basics of Types of Light Fixtures

Before you decide on what lighting fixture to install in an area of your room, you need to determine what the light will be used for. Lighting falls into three categories: ambient, task, and accent lighting. Knowing the differences between these types of lighting will set you up for a successful lighting plan.

1. Ambient lighting – is considered general lighting that illuminates a room and is designed to create a universal light pattern that spreads across a specific area in your home. An example of ambient lighting is a ceiling light in a living room that you turn on when you enter the room. Types of ambient lighting include ceiling lights, recessed lights, wall sconces, and more. These lights do a great job of evenly distributing light throughout the room.
2. Task lighting – supplements ambient lighting and is intended to increase illumination in a specific area for tasks that require additional lighting. We often see these installed above kitchen counters for better visibility during food preparation. Another common place is near a desk where reading or writing takes place.
3. Accent lighting – is used to highlight certain areas and showcase things of interest like a painting or some other piece of artwork. Accent lighting can also be used as part of an exterior lighting design that spotlights a particular area in the yard like a water feature or a path. One of the most common types of accent lighting is recessed lights.

It’s important to be able to balance these different types of light fixtures for a nice flow that naturally and gently guides the eye to areas in your home without overwhelming your eyes.

Lighting Plan: Where to Start

One of the challenges many homeowners face is how to choose the best lighting for their home from the countless options on the market. So, we’ve created an easy guide to follow! 

As we mentioned earlier, having a lighting plan is the best way to make sure that the lighting throughout your home is balanced and cohesive. Each room in your home has different lighting needs that need to be considered when choosing the right lighting fixtures.

Start with one room at a time and consider the following factors:

1. Determine the Room’s Function

Think about the function of the room. The lighting needs of each room will be informed largely by the use of the room. Since many rooms are used for multiple purposes, take note of these uses and begin exploring home lighting ideas that will support these functions.

2. Measure the Room Size

The size of the room and its layout are also key things to keep in mind when deciding on lighting. This is because lighting fixtures should be proportionate to the size of the space and provide sufficient lighting for the room. The layout of the room is similarly important because it determines how light will be cast throughout the room.

3. Determine Emotional Impact

One of the great things about lighting is that you can use it to set the mood in a room. This is sometimes referred to as the temperature of the light, which is measured in Kelvin degrees. Lighting with a lower Kelvin value is considered a warmer temperature and creates a cozy and warm ambiance. Cooler temperatures, which have a higher kelvin value, create a more alert atmosphere.

4. Assess Natural Light

How much natural light a room receives can set the mood of the room. A living room with large bay windows is inviting and promotes a cheery and happy environment without requiring artificial lighting during the day. 

5. Consider Flexibility in your Lighting Design

A mix of both warm and cool lighting can balance the room and give you the option of adjusting the mood of the room by deciding which lights to use and when. Dimming options are also a good way to keep your options flexible by allowing you to control the intensity of the lights to achieve a desired mood.

5. Sketch a Plan

When you have decided on the first five steps on the list, your next step is to create a sketch that provides a lighting design for your home. The sketch should also indicate where furniture is and places where task or accent lighting is necessary.

6. Explore Energy-Efficiency Lighting Options

Opting for energy-efficient lighting that saves energy through LED bulbs is a good idea. This can save you money on your utility bills and has less of a negative impact on the environment.

Centerpiece Chandeliers: Setting the Tone

Chandeliers are the most extravagant types of lighting fixtures. They are magical, luxurious, and dramatic. Many people love chandeliers because they make a statement and set a time for the room. In addition to serving a practical purpose, chandeliers contribute to your interior decor in a significant way. There is a chandelier for every space, so the right one for your space depends largely on the height of your ceiling, the size of your room, and your personal preference.

The right chandelier style should also complement the decor of the room and be the right size. The dimensions of the room will help you determine what size chandelier is most appropriate for the space. You will need to measure the room and add the length and the width of the room in feet. The answer you get in feet is how wide your chandelier should be in inches. Great places to install chandeliers are in dining rooms, foyers, entryways, and stairways.

Modern Lighting with Pendants

Pendant lighting comes in such a wide variety that you can definitely find the perfect match for your home. From crystal lighting fixtures to modern sleek pendant lighting options, the pendant lighting fixture options are endless.

Like chandeliers, pendant lights offer aesthetic value and are super functional as well. They can be useful as task lighting when installed in bedrooms or home offices. They are suitable for kitchens, dining rooms, stairways, and entryways. Pendant lights are often chosen as an alternative to chandeliers and are viewed as a modern lighting fixture that best compliments contemporary home designs.

At Siga Home Comfort, there is a pendant lighting fixture for every home design and many of the options are customizable. Installation is simple. With just a few tools, you can install one yourself. You’ll need a screwdriver to remove the screws that are holding the old light fixture in place. Make sure you make a note of the ground wire, neutral, and hardwire, which are all color-coded.

First Impressions Count: Entryway Lighting Options

Even though lighting is a practical necessity for your home, it has a decorative element that can create a strong first impression. You want your entry lightning to be a showstopper and an impressive introduction to the rest of your home, so your choice is extremely important.

When choosing entryway lighting, think about the tone you want to set and pick a unique lighting fixture that enhances the space and sets the tone you’re going for. You also want to think about the style of your home and choose an entryway lighting fixture that plays up that style.

Another tip to remember is that the layout of the room matters and should influence your selection. Consider statement pendant lighting or a modern chandelier for an entryway that mesmerizes your guests every time.

Hallway Lighting Options: More than Just a Pathway

Now that we’ve discussed what goes into selecting entryway lighting, another area in your home that needs ample illumination is your hallway. It’s a space where you can show off some pretty cool and creative lighting options that turn your hallway into an inviting, well-lit pathway that leads to other rooms in your home.

You can play up hallway lighting in ways that complement your overall design and show off your style. Sometimes people make the mistake of not being as intentional in selecting hallway lighting as they are when developing a lighting plan for other rooms. But it’s a space that is equally important. 

Hallways can present somewhat of a unique challenge because they are narrow, so the lighting fixture needs to be appropriate for the hallway and not overwhelm the space. There should be continuity throughout your hallway. 

For hallways, pendant lights and chandeliers are not always the best option because they may interfere with clearance. But if you have high ceilings, you may be able to install a small chandelier. A popular choice for hallway lighting is flush ceiling lights because they are elegant and modern and do not hang low like chandeliers or pendant lights. 

Dining Room Lighting Essentials

The dining room is a place many people think of fondly because it is associated with good food, great conversation, and family bonding. It’s a special space, so not just any lighting will do for your dining room space. 

On the practical side, consider the placement of your dining room lighting in relation to the furniture, specifically, the table. Chandeliers are a popular choice for dining rooms and so are pendants. Both excellent choices. If you want a classic and elegant look, a chandelier is the preferred choice. However, if your dining room is an open-concept room, a modern pendant will complement this style well. 

If you decide on a chandelier, how low your lighting hangs is important. As a rule, the chandelier should hang 30 to 36 feet above the table if you have the stand at an 8-foot ceiling.

Also, consider adjustable lighting options like dimmers so you can adjust the lighting levels and the mood of the room.

Kitchen Lighting Fixtures 

The kitchen is high on the list of favourite rooms for most people. It’s the heart of the home where many memories are made. With all the food prep and cooking that takes place, good kitchen lighting fixtures is a must. Modern kitchens are also social spaces for family and friends. Since modern kitchens are multipurpose spaces, your kitchen lighting needs to support the various activities that happen in your kitchen. 

Consider types of lighting fixtures that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and welcoming. For ambient lighting, we suggest a lighting option that stands out but does not overwhelm the room. So if you decide to go with the chandelier for your kitchen, opt for a smaller one. 

Pendant lighting is a great choice over kitchen islands, particularly for contemporary kitchens. 

The layout of your kitchen should also be a factor in the type of lighting you choose and where it is installed. Recessed lights are great for task lighting. They can be placed under kitchen cabinets or on your ceiling.

Vanity Fixtures: Small Fixtures, Big Impact

People often explore ways to make their bathroom more luxurious and spa-like. This may include fresh paint, decluttering the bathroom or swapping out some bathroom fixtures. Lighting is often overlooked. A revised lighting plan for your bathroom can make all the difference.

Adequate lighting is important to have in bathroom spaces. So much of your morning and evening routine takes place in your bathroom, so it’s crucial that the area is well-lit. Lighting also can aid in creating a relaxed environment that elevates your mood and allows you to unwind. Your lighting can also bring out the beauty and style of your bathroom and take it to the next level. 
Vanity lighting is largely about giving you the lighting you need for self-care.

This includes your skincare routine, grooming, make-up application, etc. You need to be able to see well. And since most bathrooms do not have much natural light, you need to have good lighting for your vanity. Installing light fixtures beside or above your mirror is a way to ensure good lighting for your self-care needs. If you have a smaller vanity, installing lighting above the mirror is a great choice.

Choose from a range of bathroom vanity lighting options in modern, contemporary, and traditional styles, and finishes that include chrome, brushed nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze. 
Interested in a stylish showpiece lighting fixture? Considering our Ambience Vanity light fixture. For a more contemporary look, the Ice Glaze Vanity light fixture is an excellent choice.

Layering Lighting Options, Embracing Trends Wisely

There is a way to successfully implement ambient, accent, and task lighting in your home in a way that creates unity and harmony. This requires a well-thought-out lighting plan. You may feel tempted to go out and purchase all the trendy and unique light fixtures you can find on the market, but this is not wise. Just because a lighting fixture is a trend doesn’t mean it will be a good choice for your home. Your home has unique lighting needs and this is what must guide your lighting selection.

Layering lights is the way to go to create depth in the room and bring out the best in your home. With most rooms in your home serving multiple purposes, you want to have lighting that supports these different functions. Using different light sources and types together balances the room, however, it’s important to know how to integrate these types of lighting fixtures successfully. 

How you use a room during the day may be completely different from how you use it in the evening. A room used for working and conducting virtual meetings during the daytime can be transformed into a warm and cozy space in the evening through the power of layering lights.