Replies

1. 
   WayneL5 | Mar 12, 2004 04:56am | #1

   It depends some on the style of the interior.  If you are maintaining a style harmonious with the house's age it would be quite different from a modern interior.

   For a home of that age, remember it was built without electricity.  Probably had gas lights, or no central lighting at all.  So nearly all the fixtures would have been wall sconces, with probably a hanging fixture over the dining room table.  There would have been very few fixtures in the house altogether.

   If function is more important than historical sensibilities, you have freer reign.  Personally, I don't like recessed lighting and would not be inclined to use it anywhere in my house except over the kitchen sink or in an office.  But it's a matter of taste.

   For a bedroom, I'd put a single, inexpensive fixture in the ceiling, something with a glass globe in any attractive shape.  That's good for bright general lighting, as when making beds or vacuuming.  Table lamps are good beside the bed so you can turn them on and off without getting up.  I have dimmers screwed into the sockets of mine.  If you like to read in bed then a lamp on the taller side may give better reading light, or a swing out lamp mounted over the bed.  I don't think a bedroom needs much light -- I like it subdued except when cleaning.

   For a living room it depends on your activities.  For reading, a floor lamp at your comfy chair is good.  Experts recommend it on the left hand side if you are right handed.  For tv you want some even lighting, but not too bright.  I think sconces and table or floor lamps are good for this.  Overhead lights are not cozy to me.  Recessed lights may be nice to illuminate special features, such as over a fireplace mantel or special artwork, but I don't like them for general lighting.  If you watch tv reclining on a couch they will shine in your eyes.  If you play board games then lighting over the play area would be good.

   For a family room the same comments apply, but perhaps brighter lighting for group activities, crafts, etc.

   For a bathroom I'm opinionated.  A single overhead light for general lighting is good for normal bathroom activities except grooming.  There should be lighting on both sides of the mirror.  I would not use lights above the mirror because you'll have fairly stark shadows on your face which will make applying makeup or shaving under the chin difficult.  Don't use any flourescent lighting in a bathroom unless you want to look morbid.  (You know how bad you look in a motel bathroom?)  I really like the main overhead light to be on a dimmer switch so when I get up in the middle of the night I'm not blinded by the light.  Some bathroom light/fan combos have a separate night light feature which I really like.  I always put the night light switch as the closest to the door, and the switch is illuminated so guests reach for that one first.

   For a home office, I would avoid fluorescents unless you use electronic ballasts, because the light flickers in sync with computer monitors and causes eye strain.  In some cases the effect is so strong the monitor appears to visibly flicker and it will tire your eyes.   Function is key.  The perfect lighting for a desk comes from overhead on both sides of the desk, more towards the back of the desk than the front.  The reason is specific:  If the lighting were from behind you, your body would cast a shadow on your work.  If it were from in front of you it would glare off papers, especially shiny papers, and it would be difficult to see.  If it came from one side only, your hands would cast shadows on your work as you held it or wrote.  So, that 's why desk lighting should come from both sides overhead.  You also don't want it shining on a computer screen, or for your eyes to see a fixture behind the computer screen.  Except for other work areas, general lighting is good so long as you don't see reflections of the fixtures in your computer screen.  For the same reason you should be aware of where the windows are, too.  I recommend a blind with a darker color and "room darkening" opacity because bright sun can really wash out a computer screen on a nice day.

   A couple of other tips.  I like illuminated switches in guest rooms, bathrooms, and entry doors.  I like all the front and garage outside lights to be controllable from at least one common location so I don't have to walk all over the house to turn them off at night.  I like a phone in the bathroom.  While you are wiring, don't forget telephone (including where you want your answering machine to be), cable, internet, doorbell (front and garage doors), and smoke detectors.  Extra outlets in the office, where you think all the machines might be.

   Sorry for the long reply.

1. 
   aimless | Mar 12, 2004 07:32am | #2

   You must be a guy. They always neglect putting lighting into the shower/bathtub. Do you really want us to shave our legs while standing on one foot and perching over the bathroom sink?

1. 
   WayneL5 | Mar 13, 2004 02:36am | #5

   You guessed right, I am a guy.  It's funny you mention a light in the tub/shower.  I almost wrote, "I don't put a light in the shower, because I know where everything is even in the dark."  I never would have thought of a reason to need to see in the shower.  A light in the shower must be specially rated, and they are not inexpensive.

1. 
   aimless | Mar 13, 2004 03:31am | #7

   Try turning off the lights and trying to shave your chin. That's what shaving is like for us in most showers - we have all those little contours around ankle, shin, knees and end up shaving by feel.  I think most women would pay the extra to have that light. It can't be that expensive, I see them in many hotels, and those guys don't like to spend an extra dime on anything.

2. 
   CTI | Mar 12, 2004 11:11am | #3

   No need to apologize for the length of your reply as there are always people like me who will learn something - in this case a lot. Anyone who isn't interested or doesn't like reading will skip it and this anyway.

   I agree with the light in the ceiling over the tub that aimless suggested. I'd love a skylight too, lots of them actually. Their main disadvantage is overhead sun on a hot day is hot, but you can get them with shutters of sorts I don't know what they are called.

   One thing I like if I'm just on the computer and not doing reading or writing as well is a dark room. But if I need extra light for that I prefer desk lamps.

   If ceiling height allows, consider getting overhead fans with a light for over the dining area and bedroom or anywhere. If nothing more, the fan will help counteract the heat from the light.

   While you are trying to figure out where you need light, buy a couple of shop lights that are shielded on one half and you can hang here and there and aim and experiment.

   Lamp shades can also make a huge difference, and some antique globes and fixtures aren't large enough to accommodate the new energy-saving lights.

   I'll second the aversion to track lighting except in small areas but I know there is some that is really magnificent in large rooms with lots of art and other accents. My personal preference is lamps as they can be relocated. For intense cleaning I often pull out a shop light, hot as it is, unless the sun is shining in on the target area.

   I haven't been to a lighting store in a long time but you might want to pick up a selection of lights and see how you like them. I like to groom in daylight but see myself at a party in pink light.

   Finally, the outlets. If you want a timer it often takes up so much room that it makes a two outlet into a one outlet - or did the last time I bought one. Keep in mind unless you have built-ins you might want to rearrange the furniture so better to have plenty of outlets.

1. 
   WayneL5 | Mar 13, 2004 02:46am | #6

   You added a lot of good points.  Thanks.

   For me, ceiling fans are not a benefit.  I find that the spinning blades cause a rotating, pulsating shadow which drives me nuts.  Over a dinner table it just blows napkins around and makes the food cold.  In a bedroom the noise would drive me nuts.  It's bad enough I have to put my wristwatch in the other room because it's so loud.  I've never found it too hot to sleep anyway.  I just open a window and sleep with as little insulation as I wish.

   It's good the homeowner is thinking about this.  Most builders don't do a good job with lighting design.

1. 
   CTI | Mar 13, 2004 09:56am | #8

   Ceiling fans certainly run the gamut from good to poor, silent to noisy, but the one I have can turn very slowly or ratchet up and I would have to play around with a candle to see if it even flickered when the fan was on low. But they are not for everyone. It is a way to cut down on air conditioning costs if you live somewhere where air conditioning is needed.

   Thanks for all your thoughts. One day I hope to remodel my house and make it full of exciting lighting. It will be good to have this reference.

2. 
   MER02 | Mar 12, 2004 07:09pm | #4

   I think you should consider the 4" halogen recessed lights. They are significantly smaller than the old 6" flood lights so they look great in both traditional and modern styles. They have ####nice clear clean light. Consider putting many of them in your kitchen and family room. They can all be put on dimmers, so you can regulate the light very easily.

   For your master bedroom, if you know where your bed will be, I would install some sconces over or beside your bed for reading. It is so beautiful when you can avoid the cords.

3. 
   cten | Mar 16, 2004 01:23am | #9

   Most of my thoughts have already been posted in these excellent responses. Only thing I can add is to think about plugs recessed in the floor. This requires planning of furniture placement but can eliminate lamp cords where you'd rather not see them. 

1. 
   CTI | Mar 16, 2004 03:34am | #10

   "plugs recessed in the floor"

   Yes, a great idea! The plugs are also easily disguised in wainscoting (sp? proper word for waist-height wood banding?). One day maybe there will be magnetic-type strips instead of slots to plug in.

1. 
   WayneL5 | Mar 16, 2004 05:25am | #11

   You've got the right word, wainscot, or wainscoting.  Pronounced /’wān-skət/, /’wān-skō-tiŋ/ or /’wān-skä-tiŋ/.  It means the lower few feet of an interior wall when finished differently from the remainder of the wall.  It's usually paneling, but can simply be painted a different color.

1. 
   CTI | Mar 16, 2004 06:18am | #12

   Thanks Wayne. I guess I meant the top (waist-level?) of the wainscoting which is normally wood, where sometimes what is below is not. It can be a beautiful accent in the right room. Sconces can also hide the cord plug and add some branches (non flammable) in a vase on the floor to cover the cord and it looks like you have a tree with a flower.

   It's possible I feel so strongly about this because my lighting is quite poor except that from my private windows, so I'm always looking for alternatives.

1. 
   WayneL5 | Mar 17, 2004 01:52am | #14

   If I understand what you are describing, it's called a chair rail.  I think it adds a lot to the right room.

2. 
   CTI | Mar 17, 2004 04:26am | #15

   Yes, Wayne, a chair rail, thanks! It works well for chairs that hit the wall at the same height :) I've also seen that feature done with wallpaper above and as a bathroom wall accent with hooks for towels and such. I love all the ideas I get here! Now for the budget mantra!

3. 
   hlechat | Mar 23, 2004 04:53am | #16

   Wow.

   Lots of good idea.

   So, here's my two cents (more likely 1/2 a cent!)

   On recessed lighting -- Just Say No.

   Recessed lighting was developed for commercial spaces and works fine there. In a home, it is disconcerting to have those holes punched in your ceiling. You've probably never thought about it before but next time you are around recessed lighting, see if it doesn't somehow, ever so slightly, disquiet you. I bet you'll end up agreeing with me.

   And this is not an original thought. I read this years ago in an article about Tips and Ideas from designers. Several designers spoke out vehemetly against recessed lighting. I thought, "What's the fuss about?" Then, I started paying attention. Now I am sold. No Recessed Lighting.

   Secong, Recessed lighting has been known to cause roof/moisture problems if now installed with absolute forsight and total attention to detail. So, even if you still think that it is the way to go, be sure to figure in the cost of prematurely replacing a roof. (I learned this from haunting the Fine Homebuilding board for a couple of years).

   Now, that I got all that out in the open, I'd like to say a few things about what work well in my experience:

   Bookcase lighting and those little lights you see over painting/poster/object d'art.

   I put them in my current home out of desperation (they were very very affordable, I am renting a most ancient dwelling with almost no outlets, and I live in a place where there really are other choices for traditional lamps (strange but true). I,in fact, stumbled on this most excellent and elegant lighting solution.

   I can use it to create conversation areas, to open up the whole space, to draw attention away from an area or draw attenion towards. I have only one table lamp and I never miss the other kind.

   Oh, and ceiling lights are terrible, too. they cast unfortuante shadows on you and your visitors.

   up lights are good.

   And, on the subject of leg-shaving -- I discovered waxing and have never looked back. <grin>

   'nuf said!

   Megan

   (With Gabby the Calico back purring in her lap)

4. 
   PeterDurand | Mar 29, 2004 06:03pm | #17

   So how would you light up a kitchen? 

5. 
   hlechat | Apr 04, 2004 08:32am | #18

   kitchen lighting, hmmm.

   first, i would say to avoid shiny surfaces. where we live now, we have a beautiful granite countertop. very shiny. very reflective. very bad for seeing things clearly, as the reflection bounces right back into your eyes. not comfortable. love the granite for looks, groan everytime i cook.

   so, going on, i am a Huge Fan of under the cabinet lighting. There was a recent thread on Breaktime about where to put the lights -- towards the front or back of the cabinets. front of the cabinet won, I believe.

   no cabinets you say? then track lighting.

   let me back up here a second.

   the real answer is it depends on what you are doing in the kitchen. some folks don't cook much, but just use the kitchen as a beverage center. they don't need much task lighting. some folks don't cook much, but use the kitchen as a gathering place. these kitchens need a lot of soft, yellow-toned bulbs that make the kitchen feel like a hearth.

   if you are a serios-a-mundo cook and love to chop and saute and bake and carry on, all you need is lots of good task lighting. lots of good task lighting will also serve as ambient lighting. you want bright, clean lights, like halogen.

   make sure the fixutres themselves are easy to clean, as anything in the kitchen will get exposed to Some level of grease (saute, stir-fry, etc.) and steam (every thing that cooks/bakes releases steam).

   make sure they are easy to reach to change the bulbs, or that you have a ladder handy.

   use a light with some color as accent. probably a drop pendant light over a place where people sit.

   Megan

   better known for her random thoughts than for a cohesive answer.

4. 
   crosscutter1 | Mar 16, 2004 06:18am | #13

   go to the american lighting institue web site thye give lots o info !!