Some of the most important decisions you have to make when building a new home have to do with the lighting plan. The quality of indoor light has as much to do with your home’s comfort as the location and the floor plan. You’ll want to pay special attention to the various kinds of lighting that are available as you begin to narrow your options and make choices for your overall lighting needs.
The popularity of recessed ceiling lighting for general illumination to supplement your home’s natural light cannot be denied. It’s simple and “clean” in appearance, effective, unobtrusive, comes in a variety of sizes, boasts many different options for bulbs and trim, and is cost-efficient as well. What’s not to love?
Recessed lighting has become the lighting solution of choice for today’s homeowners who want simple ambient lighting in a home’s public spaces. Recessed ceiling lights are also appropriate for highlighting art and architectural features, washing an entire wall in light, for general illumination in hallways, stairwells, bathrooms and utility spaces, and to add specialized task or accent lighting in kitchens and bedrooms, workshops and hobby areas. They are adaptable and can be mixed and matched to serve different functions in a single room.
With a proper mix of ambient lighting, task lighting and special accent fixtures, you’ll achieve a home that’s comfortable both day and night — attractive and suited to all your activities and moods.
Deciding What’s Right
There are a wide variety of utility lights on the market, and many specialty fittings that offer focused lighting. Whether you choose a movable gimbel, a fixed wall-washer, a pin-point light with a narrow beam, or a standard wide or narrow-beam downlight depends on your personal needs and preferences. Recessed lighting is generally available in sizes ranging from one to six inches, with round or square trim in a variety of finishes.
If you opt for track lighting, you will also have a dazzling array of options, and you may choose from “old-fashioned” incandescent bulbs to super-efficient LED lighting. Tracks are also extremely flexible (some are literally bendable to add a bit of “art” on the ceiling) today, and “gallery” track heads as well as pendants are available for contemporary needs.
Today, the most economical choice for long-term reliability, cost and function is apt to be LED lighting, and distinctive modern solutions cater to specialized needs.
Working With a Professional to Determine Downlight vs. Spotlights
Seeking advice from a professional lighting designer will help you prioritize your lighting and electrical wiring needs, and help you sort out options. But knowing some basic terms and specifications, particularly about recessed cans, or pot lights, may help you decide if they are right for your purposes. Basically, those built-in ceiling lights require some clear space above the ceiling. They are available as integrated units, but some are also designed with interchangeable fittings, made to be adaptable for different locations. Lensed units are also available for outdoor use or in wet areas, including over tubs and in showers.
Use simple “downlights” or opt for specialized “spots” that focus a beam of light on a specific point, either a piece of art or an architectural element. These spotlights or eyeballs also take several different forms, and their use can be customized for a wide or narrow beam.
Because Aterra designers work with several different lighting suppliers, we can advise you about the most efficient, cost-effective and elegant solutions. We stand ready to help when you’re ready to turn the spotlight on your new home’s lighting, and we love to work with owners as well as with builders and electrical contractors, designers and architects.