Are you tired of looking at your old exterior light fixtures, or you are putting your house on the market? Whatever the case, replacing the exterior light fixtures can transform your home quickly without taking a big hit to your wallet. To help, we have listed some tips below that should make the refresh much easier while allowing you to have fun while doing so. Let’s take a look!

Proper Size

Often times, homeowners make the mistake of choosing a fixture that is too small. Please keep in mind that if you are replacing commercial builders’ light fixtures, they will use fixtures that are on hand or too small to save money. The general rule of thumb is if you are replacing two fixtures on either side of the front door, the fixtures should be ¼ the height of the front door. If there is only one light, purchase a fixture that is ⅓ height of the door.

Style

You may want to change the fixtures to an industrial- or modern-style fixture, but you must stay with the overall style of the home. If your home is a mid-century modern home, then stick with those types of fixtures. If you are not sure about what fixtures go with what style of home, simply google it, look in magazines, ride through neighborhoods, or visit new home construction communities. Also, regarding the color of the fixture, stay with the matching door’s hardware (a dark bronze for a dark or black look). Dark bronze goes great with ranch- and traditional-style homes. Chrome or stainless is a popular choice in modern design.

Light Output

Lighting output is often overlooked and is a significant factor for how the fixtures will look when lit and for safety reasons. Pay attention to the type/kind/wattage of the bulb that the fixture recommends, the number of bulbs required, and what type of glass bulbs (like clear or opaque, etc.). By using the recommended bulbs for the fixture, it will certainly enhance the beauty of the fixture and provide a well lite pathway when dark.

Do you have any tips that you would like to share with other readers? If so, be sure to leave us a comment below in the comment section.

These days, homeowners are eagerly tearing the plaster off their walls and leaving the brick beneath it exposed. Whether you have a rustic brick, stacked stone, or an easy to install veneer, you can create a feature wall by highlighting it with lighting. However, simply uncovering a wall or installing a brick or stone veneer is not enough to truly capture the masonry effect inside or outside the home. To help, check out these five ways that you can emphasize exposed brick or stone to its fullest:

Wash Lighting

If your exposed brick or stone walls have some imperfections, you can create a smoother look with a wash lighting effect. A wash lighting effect is often used on different types of surfaces. This effect is done by moving the lighting source a bit further from the wall than you usually would. In essence, creating some distance between the bulbs or fixtures allows the light to spread out evenly. As a result, you will see that the cracks and mortar joints look more filled. That being said, if you decide to create this effect, it is important to get the spacing just right. If the lighting fixtures are placed too far from the exposed wall, you will cause a distraction with dark and bright spots.

Graze Lighting

The best way to highlight natural exposed stone or brick is with the graze lighting effect. Grazing is a method in which the source of lighting is installed directly above the wall so that the light washes down the wall. You will have to play around with this lighting arrangement because the results are dependent on the texture of the wall.

Uplighting

We are used to seeing the light illuminating upwards. That is why uplighting creates such a dramatic lighting effect. Lighting a stone wall from the floor up creates great emphasis since it is unexpected. Uplighting is the reverse effect of grazing, and it will bring out the texture of masonry. This type of lighting effect will also reflect light across the entire room, which adds additional comfort to the space.

Sconces and Pendant

Recessed lighting fixtures such as sconces and pendants can help you showcase masonry features. Sconces push light both up and down the wall providing a grazing and uplighting effect. Pendant lights add a beautiful glow whileLED strips will illuminate the wall.

Are you feeling inspired? Let us know which of these four ideas you like best in the comment section.

Are you shopping for lighting fixtures for your home? If so, then you may want to consider pendant lighting, which is suspended in the air via a chain or cord. Pendant lighting has become trendy because it is generally less expensive than chandelier lighting, and it does not take up much space. Some of the benefits of using a pendant light over traditional lighting sources include:

• Pendant lights serve as great focal points. So if you are interested in adding subtle drama to your living room or bathroom, a funky designed pendant light will bring some emphasis to the area.
• If you need to save on space, then pendant lights are necessary because they do not use floor space, and they do not require something to be propped on like a table lamp.
• You can purchase pendant light in a variety of colors and styles.

When purchasing pendant lighting fixtures, you will have to consider a number of factors such as:

LED or Standard Light Bulbs

There are pendant lighting fixtures on the market that only take LED light bulbs and traditional bulbs. LED bulbs are extremely durable and more efficient than standard light bulbs, making for great task lighting. However, LED bulbs are more expensive than traditional light bulbs.

Hardwiring or Plugin

Plugin pendant lights are easy to install. However, you will need to use a longer cord or an extension cord to pull off this look. On the other hand, hardwiring your pendant light will provide a clean look. However, hardwiring is labor-intensive, and if you are not handy, you will need to seek help from a professional. If you desire the pendant lighting fixture that you selected to be permanent, then you may want to opt for a hardwiring installation.

Materials and finishes

Most pendant light fixtures on the market are made with plastic, glass, metal, and cloth finishes. Glass and metal finishes reflect light, which means that more light will be distributed across the room. Plastic pendant lights are cost-effective, but they wear easily. Cloth pendant lights collect dust easily and are best used in areas like the living room where cleaning is done on a regular basis.

All in all, our best advice to you is to be sure to shop around before settling on a pendant light fixture for your room. There are a variety of styles out there. You just need to find them.

Lights amplify the energy in the room. LED strip lights are great to add to your space but should be used subtly and to highlight focal points, not to cover the room. They can be a great remedy to enhance a room with dark walls or be used to show the depth of wall art. LED light strips can be done very tastefully when applied correctly and should be reinitiated into your design theme if not there already. Here are five great ways to add LED lights strips to your home:

Under Cabinetry

If you need task lighting in your kitchen, consider installing LED light strips under your floating overhead cabinetry. It will allow light under your cabinets which can help keep your room from feeling overshaded while you work in the kitchen.

Behind Your Television

Another great place to put LED light stripping is behind your television. It will enhance your entertainment stand’s overall aesthetic look while also visually adding depth. The human eye is naturally attracted to the concept of depth which will make you entertainment stand look great all the time.

Behind Wall-Mounted Artwork

If you have artwork on a wall, consider install LED lights being them. It is a great way to make artwork pop and become a focal point of the room. Plus, it is also a great trick to use on dark walls to make the room still feel well-lit and energetic.

In Display Nooks

Display nooks and bookshelves naturally hinder the flow of light. If you notice that your display shelves are not getting adequate lighting, install LED lights strips subtly to shine down on each shelf. It will make your display items look more intriguing and help keep dark areas looking fresh and well-kept.

Outdoors

Have you considered embedding light strips into your outdoor planters? It can turn your boring outdoors into a luxurious, contemporary oasis. Doing this can not only keep the outdoors lit at night but can make your plants look mesmerizing throughout the evenings.

If you think LED strips are outdated or not for you, consider these stylish trends. LED lights are design tricks that can help revamp any room and make it feel livelier. For more great tips and tricks, visit us at Carpets N More.

Whether you are moving, remodeling, renovating, or installing new light fixtures, it is important to understand all of the different lighting options available to consumers. Today, we are going to focus on kitchen lighting. The lighting inside of kitchens is imperative for a successful meal. You need to be able to see what you are doing whilst in the kitchen. To help you find this perfect balance, we have created a guide of the most popular types of kitchen lighting. Let’s take a look!

Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting is an easy way to add glamour and luxury into a home. If you are not familiar with the term, recessed lighting is hidden in the ceiling in little tins to create a more spacious feeling. Most homeowners install recessed lighting for their beauty as well as their easy to clean nature. The only issue with recessed lighting is that you will need enough space above your ceiling for installation. They help to create a beautiful atmosphere but they are not solely used to light a kitchen. 

Pendant Lights

For a more stylish approach, homeowners have shifted gears towards pendant lights. Not only are they stylish, but they are extremely functional. They help provide a closer light to areas which in essence, provides better visibility while cooking. The only issue homeowners find with pendant lights is that they hang low from the ceiling which could potential get in your way while cooking. 

Surface Lights

Surface lights are referred to as the “mushroom” or “bubble” light fixtures in homes. They are placed directly on the ceiling and provide an ample amount of light. They are in fact, easier to clean than the two previous lights mentioned. The only issue homeowners have with surface lights is that they are very visible. If you do not like the look of them, we would not recommend choosing them. With recessed lighting, you have a hidden light source and with pendant lights, you are provided a stylish approach to lighting. Whereas with surface lights, they are kind of just there.

If you are remodeling your home, be sure to keep us in mind for new flooring. We would love to help you complete your home with beautiful floors, cabinets, windows coverings, and countertops. For more information on our vast selection, please visit our website here.

When you want to update your home, certain changes provide the most dramatic improvements. By simply improving your floors, painting, and replacing your light fixtures, your rooms will have the look you want.

Consider the following factors when making your lighting decisions.

Start with a budget. Count the light fixtures you want to replace, and look into cost. If you can replace them all at once, then you can save with only one electrician visit. However, it’s more important to find the right fixtures. If needed, take your time.

Does your home feature a consistent look and style? If so, look for a family of fixtures that work well togther and complement your home’s style. More variety in home design means you can choose different types of fixtures to suit each room’s design. This photo provides a good example of a fixture that makes a real impact in a room. The style, proportion and position open the space and take full advantage of the vaulted ceiling.

Do you have specific lighting or other needs from your fixture? Some rooms will do better with a ceiling fan. Remember that you can add other lamps for special needs such as task lighting. Bathroom lights can also include ventilation or heat.

The final consideration is your personal taste. Remember that you will see those fixtures every day for a long time. Pick lighting that you will enjoy looking at every time you walk into a room.