It's the time of year when everyone wants to get out and be sociable, but is your entryway ready for the spotlight? The first thing that your guests see as they enter your home is the interior entryway, and you want to be sure that this space, in particular, is brightly lit and very welcoming as the style in this area can set a tone for their entire visit. Whether you're looking to make a bold statement with your entryway or prefer to offer a more subdued and sedate look, you'll be sure to find something to fall in love with when you check out the season's hottest new styles.

Setting the Tone

Your entryway says a lot about your home and your family. The message can range from classy and upscale to homey and incredibly welcoming, depending on your personal style. Selecting lighting that helps your friends and family members feel comfortable from the moment they open the door can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Perhaps you're ready to create a different ambiance — in which case, you may want to consider adding a new chandelier or featured lighting element in your interior entryway. If you simply want to add a little interest to the area, look for ways to creatively incorporate a table lamp or other intriguing lighting fixture such as a wall sconce. 

Consider Natural Light

Perhaps the most difficult element in creating a style that you'll love is determining the level of natural light and when you'll need to supplement it (and how much!). Without putting up various lights and testing the levels of illumination, it can be a bit challenging. For instance, if your ceilings are not overly high, you may feel that your only option is putting in a flush mount light. Nothing could be further from the truth! While you may want to find fixtures that are slightly shorter than average, you truly only need around 6'9 of clearance from the ground to give people room to walk underneath. Keep these questions in mind when considering how to supplement natural light:

• How much natural light is there at various times of the day and night?
• How much wattage does the light you're considering have? 
• Are there different bulbs or clear lights that might provide additional illumination? 

You may determine that you have nearly enough natural light, but would instead like to use a light in your entryway for a signature focus piece instead, in which case a wall sconce or chandelier is the ideal solution. 

When you're ready to spruce up your interior entryway, come see us at Northern Lighting first! You'll see the latest in lighting options from stunning chandeliers to impactful flush-mounted lights that spotlight a special piece of art. We are doing a little spring cleaning of our own, and are currently offering up to 20 percent off of select items in our Spring Clearance Sale! Check out our one-of-a-kind showroom in Columbus or give us a call at 614-891-7600 for more information.