Choosing lighting fixtures for your home can be challenging, so Lance Cheney of Richard Neel Interiors in Tulsa says to start with the basics: splitting your lighting options into categories.
“First, there’s task lighting, which illuminates work spaces, like countertops and shelving,” he says. “Second, accent lighting – adjustable, recessed lights to use as wall washers or spots to light art. Third, decorative lighting. This is the fun stuff: table lamps, chandeliers and sconces. And fourth, ambient lighting, which is more subtle, general lighting. Consider dimmers on all your lights, even lamps; most quality lamps today come pre-wired with dimmers and/or high low settings.”
Cheney says to use these categories as a way to determine where your lighting piece will land in your home.
“The type of lighting you need will help you make decisions as to what style to purchase,” he says. “You should definitely know how you plan on using a room so you can determine what type of light is required. Asking where and how much light you want in a room is a good place to start.”
If you want to keep up with the trends, Cheney has noticed that fixtures made of natural materials are hot in 2018, especially alabaster.
“It is translucent; it glows and reduces glare. Alabaster can be found on most every type of lighting, from lamps, pendants, flush-mounted ceiling lights, as well as chandeliers and sconces,” he says. “Also, fixtures are not as traditionally round as in the past. We are seeing different shapes – fixtures that are square and organically shaped.”
Most importantly, Cheney says to look at the areas you want to light with a critical eye, and do some research before heading to the lighting store – knowing what types of fixtures you need when you shop is key to a good experience, and a beautiful result.
