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Lighten up your life

Interior designers know how the importance of good lighting can transform a home, but it’s a difficult task to master. Homeowners often spend a great deal of time and money on home improvements only to get stuck when it comes to lighting up. Whether your property is large or small, traditional or modern, good lighting design can help transform the mood at the flick of a switch.

Kitchen

Lots of light is required in the kitchen. Under unit lighting is important to cast efficient light over work surfaces and ensure you can prepare food safely. A good ambient light is also useful. Downlighters in the ceiling create a glare free effect while remaining functional, but it’s important that each spotlight is fitted properly with a fire hood. Pendants aren’t best suited to kitchens as they attract grease and dust.

Bathroom

For make-up application and shaving it’s best to have a bright light, but if relaxing for a soak in the tub you’ll want to be sure you can dim the lights. Wall lights must be out of reach, or enclosed to keep water out, especially spotlights that are installed above a shower. Lighting can be controlled by a wall switch, which must be mounted outside the bathroom. Some mirrors even have sections of the reflective surface removed and lights fitted behind. You can also use LED floor lights, which are set into the floor and come in different colours. 

General tips for lighting your home:

• Bright light is not always good light;
• Different effects are produced when light is reflected by surfaces, so consider this when you are deciding where to situate lights;
• Direct lights are best for reading or working;
• Lights can also be used to highlight features such as paintings or objects and help add atmosphere to a room;
• For multi functional rooms it’s useful to install a dimmer switch so you have the option of more light for reading or working and lower light levels for relaxing;
• Incandescent bulbs give off warmer colours and will help achieve a cosy atmosphere, while fluorescent light bulbs will offer a cooler but more efficient light for utility rooms;
• Dark coloured rooms absorb more light, so additional light will be needed, where as lighter colours reflect more light; and
• If you have a feature wall or coloured surface, you can illuminate it with lighting to add colour.

Norcroft Electrical Ltd
Mustard Hill House
Barnsley Road
Hoylandswaine
Sheffield
S36 7JA

Tel: 01226 763127
Fax: 01226 763127
Mob: 07973 757403