When building a new home, lighting design is a key factor. A home that’s lit correctly is more comfortable to live in and makes daily tasks like cooking and reading easier. It’s not easy to change your built-in lighting fixtures once they’re installed, so it’s important to select the right ones the first time. Here's what to keep in mind as you plan the rooms of your new home.

What Dictates Lighting Choices in a New Home?

1. Room Size

The larger a room is, the more powerful the lighting needs to be to keep it well-illuminated. In a small bedroom, you might choose a lighting fixture that holds only one bulb and supplement it with a nightstand lamp. For a larger area like a living room, you’ll need a fixture that holds multiple bulbs, such as a chandelier, or several smaller recessed fixtures spaced out across the ceiling. In the average room, 20 lumens are needed per square foot for adequate general lighting.

Take the ceiling height into account as well. The higher the ceiling, the more the light will spread before it reaches the floor, and the brighter the lights need to be to make up for this effect. On the other hand, high ceilings give you space for more decorative options that descend and bring the light closer to the floor. In this way, it's important to find a balance between aesthetics and dimensions.

2. Fixture Purpose

Every room should have general lighting from one or more light fixtures near the ceiling. This helps with general visibility. However, you may also want specific fixtures for different purposes. For example, it’s common to install an extra light over the dinner table and task lighting that focuses on the kitchen sink. 

In general, consider how you’re going to use the room and where you expect furniture to go, then illuminate areas where you plan to read, work with your hands, or use cosmetics. Finally, you may also want the option to switch to dimmer ambient lighting in some rooms to create a relaxed or intimate mood. Sconce lights on walls are often used for this purpose.

3. Decor Style

The lighting fixtures you choose should be harmonious with the architecture and the way you plan to decorate the home. For example, if you’re going for an elegant look with molding, wainscoting, and natural materials like wood and stone, you might choose elaborate wrought-iron fixtures. For a modern home, minimalist fixtures in a clean chrome finish are more appropriate.

For a wide range of attractive and versatile light fixtures, visit Enterprise Wholesale in Coffee County, AL. Serving the Wiregrass Area and the Florida Panhandle for over 35 years, this locally owned and operated wholesaler and flooring contractor offers a wide selection of home furnishings from their beautiful showroom. For questions about their inventory, call (334) 347-7033 or visit their website.