How do I choose the best house lights for my home?

There are millions of lights you can buy for your home, and some will fit your lighting needs better than others. Between the light bulbs, fixtures, controls, settings, and electrical components, there are more things to consider than you’d think. So how do you know which lights to choose to use for your home? 

What are the different types of house lights?

Recessed lightsA recessed light, or can light, is a type of ceiling light that lays flush with the ceiling. The wiring and bulb are stored in a container (that looks like a can). They provide bright, downlight into an area. Recessed lighting is great for indoor spaces where bright light is needed, like bathrooms and kitchens. They are also great for outdoor porches or patios.

Track lights

Track lights are multiple lights mounted on a track that is hung from the ceiling, they are similar to recessed lights and are mostly used indoors.

Pendant lights and chandeliers

Pendant lights are hanging lights that come down from the ceiling. Chandeliers are fancier and have multiple bulbs on one fixture, and don’t usually come down as far as pendants. These lights usually give softer, more diffused light and are good for the dining room and living room.

Wall sconces

Wall sconces are mounted to the wall and also provide warmer, softer light, since they are up closer. Wall lights are also used for outdoor lighting on porches and garages.

Lamps

Lamps give off soft, usually warm-toned lighting and are used in living rooms and bedrooms for soft, ambient lighting.

String lights

String lights are smaller bulbs lined up on a string (like Christmas lights) that can be hung up wherever. Since they give softer, more ambient lighting, indoors they are usually used in bedrooms. String lights are also often used for outdoor lighting, stringing them across the yard or over a patio.

Floodlights and spotlights

Floodlights give bright, strong light that covers a lot of area and are usually used outside for backyard lighting or security lighting. Spotlights give more concentrated lighting and are used to highlight some architecture or garden you want to call attention to.

Path lights

Path lighting is placing small lights on either side of a pathway. Usually used outside, these can be placed on the sidewalk outside your house, by your front door, or out in the backyard to outline a garden or path. 

How to…

Install house lights

Some lights are easier than others, so installation will depend on the kind of lights you want, the existing lights and wiring in your house, and your expertise. If you do end up doing it yourself, make sure you turn off the power before doing any electrical work. Then you can wire in and mount the light fixture and put in the bulb. 

Create the perfect mood

Creating the right mood depends a lot on the color and temperature of your bulbs. White light can look very different depending on if it’s a cool or warm tone. Then you need to decide how much lighting you want and where you want it to come from. Lighting from the ceiling is different from lighting from the tables. 

Highlight your home

Using flood lighting and spotlights can help you highlight the architecture of your home. You can also use downlights from recessed lights to highlight something. You can also use string lights or lights along your house to highlight the shape of the building itself. 

Use lights for security

One of the main reasons people get house lights is for security reasons. Floodlights are great for security, they can cover a lot of ground with just one light. Especially paired with motion sensing and a security camera, you can not only deter potential invaders and animals from coming onto your property, but catch them when they do. 

Choose the right bulbs

Choosing a light bulb depends on where you need to put it. Picking the best bulb for every room will help tie the lighting together. Rooms that tend to be more quiet and intimate, like living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and bedrooms usually have diffused, warmer-toned lighting to bring a softer atmosphere to the room. Rooms that need brighter, more focused lighting usually have bigger, brighter bulbs and cooler lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms usually have stronger, cool white light so you can see what you’re doing. 

How to save energy with your house lights

Lighting can get expensive, so how can you save more energy while still lighting your house well? There are a few things you can do to conserve energy.

LED light bulbs: LED houses save much more energy than houses that don’t use LED light bulbs for lighting. LED light bulbs operate much more efficiently than other light bulbs. They require less maintenance, run for longer, and waste less energy.

Smart lights: They’re controllable from a smartphone or controller. Using smart switches or smart bulbs allows you to turn lights on and off from wherever, so if you forget and leave the lights on, you can still turn them off or dim them to save energy. Besides saving energy, they are just convenient. Alexa controlled lights or other vocal command lights work in a similar way, it makes it easy to turn off all the lights without having to walk around and find them (and potentially miss a few).

Motion Detection Lights: They save tons of energy by not being on when people aren’t in the room. By automatically turning on the lights when people come in, and turning the lights out after motion stops, motion-sensing lights ensure the light is always off if people aren’t home.

If the exterior of your home needs discrete, customizable LED lighting, then it’s time to get in touch! JellyFish Lighting’s track lights are the latest splash of color on the block. Just program the colors, schedule a time, and enjoy! With millions of colors for any occasion, the only question is: What will you create? So request your free quote today and we’ll assess your house lighting needs!