17 Lighting Tips

Tips 6-10

6. Add chandeliers.
Chandeliers don't need to be swathed in crystals to be a glamorous accessory. The sleek, sophisticated Star Chandelier is an eye-catching alternative to more traditional fixtures. Lampa; www.lampa.com.

7. Dim the switch.
Control the amount of light—and the mood—in every room by installing dimmer switches for all light bulbs. Dimmers can be added to most wall sconces, chandeliers, spotlights, and can lights.

8. Know when to splurge.
Invest in a fixture in the room that is most frequently used. The kitchen is often a central gathering place in the home, so you'll get the most use out of an expensive fixture over the island or kitchen table.

9. Know when to save.
Cut costs on light fixtures in rarely used rooms, such as a guest bedroom or tucked-away powder room, or in rooms where function—not aesthetics—is key, such as the laundry room, mudroom, or garage.

10. Be (energy) enlightened.
Before you install that new light fixture, visit www.energystar.gov and learn about the government-backed Energy Star program aimed at encouraging consumers to become more energy-efficient. One simple strategy: Replace the five most frequently used lights in your home with Energy Star-qualified lighting. This will save you up to $60 per year in energy costs—and help protect the environment, too.