These days, lighting isn’t just about enabling us to see in the dark. A well-thought out lighting plan that takes into account the colour, shape, and function of each room can transform even the simplest of homes in Christchurch or Rolleston into something truly special.
There is a truly enormous array of lighting fixtures available in comparison to a decade ago, from recessed lights, pendants, and strip lighting, through to track lighting and task lighting, and it’s well worth taking some time to think about exactly what you want out of a particular space before your renovations begin.
Don’t get left in the dark.
IWhen remodelling your Christchurch or Rolleston home, it’s also important to think about where your light switches will go. There’s nothing worse than scrabbling around in the dark because the switch isn’t where you’re expecting it to be. Your new kitchen and bathroom in particular will ideally feature several different light fixtures, so you’ll need to decide as to which lights you’ll want switched on first. Proper planning ensures a smooth and functional lighting setup that works for every room.
Dimmers and timers are pretty ubiquitous these days, so it’s important to ensure if you’re using LED lights that they have dimmer capabilities because not all of them do.
Timer switches are really useful on the power-saving front and are definitely worth installing on things like heated towel rails and any appliances that feature a standby mode, and you can save a surprising amount of power by installing a timer on all of your lights, especially if you have teenagers who haven’t been house trained properly and like to leave a trail of well-lit rooms in their wake wherever they go.
White light for cooking. Warm light for eating.
There are essentially four types of lighting for you to choose from when considering your lighting plan: decorative, task, accent and ambient.
The type of lights you use can have a significant effect on the ‘feel’ of a room. Focused task lighting for instance, while perfect for your office, is too severe for a bedroom or living area. Kitchens ideally need a mix of bright task lighting and softer, warmer lights, the first for cooking, and the second for instilling a more relaxing ambience while you and your family are gathered around the table for dinner.
Accent lighting, such as track lighting or recessed lighting, is perfect for highlighting a particular architectural feature, piece of furniture, or artwork in your home, because why not? There’s no point spending thousands of dollars on nice things if nobody notices them, and everything looks better when it’s properly lit, just ask any movie star!
Decorative lighting includes fixtures such as chandeliers and pendants, and there are a myriad of designs to choose from, so be prepared to spend some time in your local lighting shops. Pendant lights in particular, have gone so far beyond being purely functional they could almost be considered works of art. We’ve come a long way from the single bulb plonked in the the middle of the ceiling baby!
Greg and the team at Juice Electrical have been providing quality electrical work for residential properties in Christchurch, Rolleston, and the wider Canterbury region for almost two decades. Home renovations are our bread and butter, so if you’re about to embark on a remodeling project and you need some help with your lighting plan, why not give Greg a call at 0800 277 275, or email helen@juiceelectrical.co.nz today. Whether you’re in Christchurch or Rolleston, they’ve got you covered.
