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A Guide To Properly Using Accent Lighting In Your Space

Have you recently purchased a new piece of artwork?


Working on a complete remodel?


Looking to highlight a particular feature within your existing living space?...


Most people are familiar with the concept of accent lighting, but not many people understand how to get it “just right” in order to highlight the most interesting aspects of their home. Unlike task and ambient lighting, which serve their own purposes within a space, accent lighting works by creating a focal point on a specific area, highlighting a piece of artwork, craftsmanship details, or other features of a home.

 

The proper lighting can do wonders to a room. It can completely change the perception and feel of your space. But, getting it right is not always as simple as it seems. Working with a lighting design professional can help to ensure that your accent lighting adds depth to a room, gives it a unique personality, and creates the balance and mood you are looking to achieve within the space.


Here are 6 quick tips that can help you throughout your design and implementation process.


1. The less saturation the better

 

As is often the case in many design and remodeling projects, less is more. The same

concept helps with accent lighting. If your room is already lit with ambient

and task lighting, the addition of accent fixtures can cause you to over-

saturate the room. Making sure your accent lights are sized and placed properly, and the right intensity for the space will help to offset this risk.

 

2. Dimmers are your friend

 

Dimmer switches can give you unparalleled control over your desired lighting outcome. With

this small tool, you can set the mood within your room to suit any occasion. When used properly with accent lighting, you can add or take away focus from objects and areas as you please. Dimmer switches also allow the homeowner to save electricity by decreasing the intensity during times when the room isn’t as heavily trafficked, so making the initial investment can provide convenience and cost-savings down the road.

  

3. Light what you want others to see

 

This is a concept not thought of enough when lighting a room. With proper accent

lighting, you can direct attention to the things you want people to notice in your home. Conversely, accent lighting can also be used to redirect attention and focus from areas within your home that may have imperfections, such as worn or scratched flooring, chipped woodwork, stains, etc. By controlling the angle and direction of your lighting, you can get impressive results for your design and impressed reactions from your guests.

 

4. Don’t be afraid to let your creative side shine

 

Accent lights are not meant to be placed in the center of a room. Instead, hide the

lighting in an obscure place or wherever your creativity takes you. Accent lighting

that’s slightly hidden or that hits objects at varying angles is more effective in

your space. Recessed lighting is a great choice for illuminating objects from above while keeping a smooth finished appearance around the focal point. 

 5. The type of lightbulbs you choose matter

 

Not all light bulbs are the same. From incandescent and fluorescent to LED, the options can seem endless but don’t overlook this important detail while designing your space. Depending on your remodel and how you want people to perceive your space, you’ll need to have different intensities of light to get the desired result. One decision that consumers often get confused about is whether they want warm light in the 1,000 – 5,000 Kelvin range, or cool light in the 5,000 – 10,000 Kelvin range. Our lighting design professionals can help walk you through the selection, advise you on how each type of bulb will affect the ambiance of the room, and ultimately help you achieve the goals of your project.

 

 

6. Know the different types of lighting fixtures

 

With accent lighting, you have several choices when it comes to designs and types of fixtures to use when trying to get the desired results. Mixing it up and using different styles throughout your home can completely change the esthetic. Some common types of fixtures used for accent purposes include lamps, sconces, track lighting and wall-mounted picture lights. Whether your design calls for rustic undertones or a more contemporary style and finish, your options are vast. With the right style of accent lighting, you can truly personalize the aesthetics of your design. 

Contact Our Lighting Store in Norwalk, CT Today

 

If you are considering adding accent lighting in your home - whether it be for a major remodel or a small DIY project, our experienced team at Chloe Winston Lighting Design is happy to lend a helping hand. Our professional staff can assist in the design process, or if you want to learn more about the in-depth features of accent lighting, we’re experienced in all aspects of lighting design. 


Contact us today to schedule a personalized consultation or to learn more about our lighting store. We are happy to serve the communities of Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Fairfield, CT, Rye and Scarsdale, NY and the surrounding areas. Visit our showroom in Norwalk, CT today.

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