A room's lighting may be an afterthought for many DIYers when it comes to remodeling, but it shouldn't. Attractive lighting adds as much appeal to a room as beautiful furnishings. A lot of people find it difficult to choose a good light for their home. The following do's and don'ts for lighting your home remodeling project can help.

The Do's of Lighting

Create a lighting plan before you start any renovation. It may sound logical, but people usually leave the lighting to the end. This can cause issues when it comes to wiring and having enough outlets and light switches in the correct place is essential. Be certain your lighting plan makes sense and that you are happy with it before cutting holes in the drywall. 

Know your light terminology. It is important to know what you are talking about. Watts measure the amount of energy a light consumes when it is on. Although it is often related to, it does not determine the brightness of a light. That is called a lumen. You will want to choose softer lights for ambient lighting and pure white light for task lighting. This is measured in Kelvins.

Modify the lighting in a room based on typical activities which go on there. Kitchens need to be bright with recessed lighting around the sides of the room to reduce shadows. Use wall-mounted sconces in the bathroom to provide the best light for applying makeup. A central light fixture in the bedroom is ideal for everyday illumination. Use task-specific lamps for reading in bed.

The Don'ts of Lighting

Don't skimp on lighting costs. You should expect lighting costs to come in right around five percent of any renovation budget. The days of spending a few hundred bucks to light your living room are over. But don't be upset. While newer LED bulbs may be much more expensive to purchase initially, they will save you money in energy costs and replacement bulbs in the long run.

Avoid depending on only one source of lighting in a room. You can add interest by creating different qualities of light from multiple sources. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to install a bright, single overhead light. This type of light is often unflattering to a room and the people in it. 

Do you need help with the lighting for your next remodel? Northern Lighting can help. We have been offering customers an impressive range of lighting options and design assistance since 1973. Whether you are looking for lighting fixtures or accessories, come down to our showroom or talk with one of our lighting experts by calling 614-891-7600.