Once you find the perfect fixture for your room, consider the other types of lighting needed to complete the look. For optimal enjoyment and functionality, it’s best to light in layers: ambient, accent and task.

Ambient lighting is the main or general lighting, often generated overhead from a chandelier, pendant(s), or ceiling fan with a light. Ambient light can also be provided by less obvious fixtures like a floor lamp or recessed cans, for example.

Accent lighting gives a space its aesthetic appeal by highlighting specific areas or design elements, such as a fireplace, architectural feature, special décor, or artwork. This type of lighting may come from spotlights, small lamps, sconces, any light that can be aimed to draw attention to a certain spot.

Task lighting is necessary to pour needed light onto surfaces for a particular task or activity, such as preparing food, doing laundry, studying, or grooming. Examples of task lighting include mini pendants over a kitchen island or desk, sconces flanking a...

If you find yourself saying “watts up?” when weighing your bulb options, familiarize yourself with these lighting terms before deciding which bulb is right for you.

Kelvin – a measure of color temperature which describes the color quality of light and the warmth or coolness of light; the higher the temperature the whiter the light

Color rendering index (CRI) – a measure of the ability of a light source to reveal color; a CRI of 100 shows the true color; a light source with a CRI of 90+ is excellent; a CRI of 80-90 is considered good

Lumen – a measure of brightness; the higher the lumen, the brighter the light

Watt – a measure of energy use; a 60-watt incandescent bulb is equivalent to a 7-watt LED

LED – light-emitting diode; LED lamps are more energy efficient than incandescent lamps

Learn how to choose the right bulb in this video from ALA featuring Cathy Choi, president of Bulbrite Industries. For more lightbulb tips, go online to...

Whether simply reorganizing, making minor changes like adding a new light fixture or a pop of wall color, or totally revamping, make sure to properly light your room for the tasks or activities that take place there.

No matter how much effort goes into a home update, it will not be enjoyed to the fullest without three layers of light:

• Ambient/general lighting, such as a chandelier, pendant or ceiling fan with a light, is essential for general illumination, especially at night.
• Accent lighting creates a cozy, comfortable feel by lighting areas such as artwork, bookshelves or cabinets (inside, underneath or above).
• Task lighting may be a portable lamp on a desk or other light source focused directly on your work surface, such as a pendant or directed spotlight.

For the best advice about how to design an effective lighting plan for your home, talk to a lighting professional at an...

One special item can mean the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. Whether for yourself with a special piece of jewelry or for your home with a perfectly curated art installment or light fixture, one featured item is all it takes to make you and your guests say “wow!”

Eye candy for your home can come in many different forms. A light fixture can be the focal point of your space with sheer size, beautiful presentation, unexpected form, use of materials, flashy bling, the comfort of a retro design, or any number of attention-getting factors.

Find your special wow factor at a nearby ALA-member showroom. That’s the best place to see the latest lighting designs and...

When it comes to lighting design, spaces not typically seen by guests sometimes do not get the attention they deserve. Household jobs are easier to tackle in an organized, well-lit space.

Laundry rooms, closets, powder rooms, and home offices, for example, require adequate task lighting to be most functional. It is important to make sure the lighting in these rooms does not create distracting glare and shadows. Under-cabinet lighting may help illuminate darkened areas, and an overhead light source is a must.

An easy way to illuminate spaces between shelves is with mini-LED lights. The versatile, tiny lights, which are available in self-adhesive, flat strips, can be installed above and below shelves to make it easier to find the right office supplies, laundry detergent, or clothing. (Black pants with brown socks is not a good look.)

A lighting expert at an ALA-member showroom can show you the best bulbs and fixtures for any area of your home. Go online to ALALighting.com to find...

Ever-evolving technology makes it possible for lighting manufacturers and designers to create pendants, sconces and chandeliers that push horizontal and vertical boundaries. Slim, flat fixtures evoke a contemporary attitude and showcase the versatility of LED technology. Geometric designs feature circles, squares, rectangles and hexagons with built-in or exposed bulbs that highlight each fixture's graphic shape.

See on-trend lighting at a nearby ALA-member lighting showroom.

Photo by Craftmade

It’s the most popular living space in the house, so why not transform an ordinary kitchen into your extraordinary comfort zone? You do not have to go through a major renovation to change your kitchen from just a place to cook and eat to the perfect spot to gather, relax and unwind with family and friends.

Without the right light, your kitchen will just be a utilitarian space to cook and serve meals. A few carefully chosen, well-placed light fixtures can create a workable, beautiful space. An on-trend chandelier or pendant combined with easy-to-install under-cabinet or toe-kick lighting will instantly create an updated look.

If the only source of lighting in your kitchen or dining area is from recessed cans, consider adding a few fixtures to serve as aesthetic and functional focal points in the room over the casual eating area and/or the island. Pendants are easy to install and come in many different sizes, colors and styles making it easy to create a look that shows off your personal taste while providing the right amount of illumination.

See the latest lighting...

Turn an ordinary room into an extraordinary space with a stunning statement piece. While a large stunning fixture is always a good option, going big is not the only way to go. One or more medium-size or small fixtures can garner attention with sparkling crystals, natural materials, interesting textures, contrasting color, or unusual shapes.

Thanks to the latest innovations in LED technology, a vast array of fixtures in almost any imaginable shape is available to define and brighten your space. With striking lines or graceful curves, the versatility of LED fixture designs show off like beautiful works of art.

To find the perfect statement fixture for your space and to learn more about LED fixture styles and trends, go online to...

If a full-fledged redo is too pricey or time consuming for your schedule, consider these tips for a simpler, less costly décor upgrade.

1. Start with the outside. Consider the first impression guests have of your home. Upgrading exterior or entryway lighting can improve your home’s curb appeal and create a welcoming tone.
2. Next notice the first area visitors see upon entering – often a foyer or dining room. Is the lighting sufficient and appropriate? Would the addition of sconces help to set off the initial entry? Imagine entering your home for the first time. What would make you feel comfortable in that space?
3. Make sure the lighting is adequate and comfortable in the main gathering spaces, such as the living room and kitchen. Adding or switching out pendants over an island and installing a few spotlights in sitting areas can help create cozy conversation areas.
4. In other rooms, take a look at the table lamps and hanging fixtures. A simple way to change the look is with replacement lampshades in seasonal colors or trendy fabrics.
5. Don’t forget...

When it comes to lighting design, spaces not typically seen by guests sometimes do not get the attention they deserve. Household jobs are easier to tackle in an organized, well-lit space.

Laundry rooms, closets, powder rooms, and home offices, for example, require adequate task lighting to be most functional. It is important to make sure the lighting in these rooms does not create distracting glare and shadows. Under-cabinet lighting may help illuminate darkened areas, and an overhead light source is a must.

An easy way to illuminate spaces between shelves is with mini-LED lights. The versatile, tiny lights, which are available in self-adhesive, flat strips, can be installed above and below shelves to make it easier to find the right office supplies, laundry detergent, or clothing. (Black pants with brown socks is not a good look.)

A lighting expert at an ALA-member showroom can show you the best bulbs and fixtures for any area of your home. Click here to find more...

Summer nights are meant to be enjoyed. Your outdoor fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down.

With the right lighting, warm nights can be the best time for entertaining family and friends or just relaxing in your outdoor living space. To get the most out of outdoor spaces, layer your lighting to adjust for different amounts of natural light and to illuminate dark areas and architectural features.

- Keep pathways and steps safe with downlighting. This will allow guests to see without the glare of lights shining up into their eyes.

- Provide adjustable, directed task lighting over cooking surfaces, eating areas, and conversation spots.

- Illuminate entryways with overhead fixtures or sconces on each side of doorways.

- Stay cool and comfortable with an overhead ceiling fan. Be sure it's wet rated to operate efficiently and safely in all kinds of weather.

- Create aesthetic appeal with spotlights and accent lighting to highlight special landscaping and design elements.

For personalized tips and to see the latest lighting fixtures and...

All living things depend on light to survive, but did you know that the light you are exposed to throughout the day (and night) can affect your health?

Living beings experience 24-hour sleep/wake cycles called circadian rhythms. That simply means people need bright days and dim/dark nights to match what their body expects. Recent research finds that people are at their best when exposed to bright light early in the day and dimmer light in the late afternoon and evening. This “dose” of light should be experienced daily to maintain the circadian rhythm, which can improve sleep and overall health.

In today’s world, the natural day/night cycle might be difficult to achieve. Many people spend their days inside working and their evenings exposed to screens and artificial light sources, interfering with the desired cycle of light exposure.

The good news is that research shows we can use electric light sources to provide exposure to the right levels of light at the right times throughout the day to help maintain a healthy circadian rhythm.

Light Your...

Lighting can be tricky in a closet, laundry room, or any small space that requires adequate illumination and good color rendering. After all, true trend setters don’t show up at the office wearing one brown and one black sock.

It's common to focus on brightness when installing fixtures or selecting bulbs for task lighting, but just as important is the color rendering index (CRI) of a light source. CRI is a measure of how well people or things look when lighted by a particular light source compared to how they look when lighted by incandescent bulbs or outdoor daylight/sunshine. This is obviously important in a closet or laundry room where you may be trying to match or coordinate colors of shoes, clothing, and accessories.

When shopping for lighting consider:

• The scale used for CRI is 0-100 where 100 is a perfect color match.
• The higher the CRI; the better (more natural) people and things will look.
• For residential lighting, use LED light sources with CRI ratings of 90 and above.
• From a practical standpoint, most LEDs (even the ones...

When it comes to home renovations, the first things that come to mind are often cosmetic features like new flooring, countertops, or paint colors. While these things are important and can provide a strong return on investment, a lighting update might be the ticket to the home of your dreams. So, before tearing down walls or ripping up carpet, we at the American Lighting Association (ALA) recommend visiting a lighting showroom.

1. Lighting sets the stage

Some lighting issues are obvious, like a fixture that looks like it belongs in another decade (and not in a fun, retro way). But there are also less obvious lighting problems in a home that might be making it difficult for you to fully utilize your space.

From glare on kitchen countertops to bathroom lights that cast unsightly shadows across your face, a poorly designed lighting layout can cause issues during everyday tasks. That’s why a great first step in a home renovation is a conversation with a trained lighting expert. A lighting...

Why lighting is a great place to start

Smart and connected home products are growing in popularity and they offer more than just convenience and "cool” factor. As our energy demands rise with more electronically powered devices entering our homes, the topic of energy savings and efficiency become increasingly important.

From the consumer standpoint, we want to save money on electricity bills, but did you know utility companies are concerned with reducing electricity usage as well? It may seem counterintuitive, but grid management is crucial to utilities, and therefore, preserving energy and incentivizing energy-efficient products is top of mind.

Enter the integrated home. According to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) the integrated home is a connected, fuel neutral, efficient home where devices and systems seamlessly communicate to optimize value for both customers and the utility grid and distribution systems. The CEE is so committed to the vision of an integrated home, they hold an ...