Pendant Lighting - Still a Treasure

Pendant lighting fixtures are suspended from the ceiling and get their name from the jewelry accessory of the same name. Pendant lighting has a distinctive appeal and is considered perfect for places like kitchen islands, desks, breakfast nooks and the like. Pendant lighting can be either a single pendant lighting fixture or two or three different ones teamed up to provide a dramatic effect. Generally when two or three pendant lighting fixtures are teamed up, mini pendant lighting fixtures are used. The area of pendant lighting provides a lot of scope for the use of creative designs and ideas.

It is advisable to mount pendant lighting fixtures at least 24" to 30" above the area to be lit. When mini pendants are used, the ideal height would be 18" to 24" above the surface area to be lighted. When two or three pendants are used, an adjustable pendant bar can be used to fix them at different heights. This makes it possible to adjust heights from time to time, varying the overall lighting effect in the process.

Pendant lighting fixtures are available in various styles. Some of the commonly seen styles are sleek clean designs, reflective stained glass and crinkle glass designs. Pendant lighting fixtures are task oriented and provide necessary lighting for specific areas. The intensity of light needed can be dictated by the choice of bulb used inside the pendant lighting fixture.

Most pendant lighting fixtures are available with chains and rods that enable adaptation for different heights. Multiple pendant lights in a single fixture at staggered heights create a dramatic effect and are ideal for use little corners of large rooms. This kind of lighting creates an interesting area in an otherwise ordinary room.

Illuminating the Future of Kitchen Lighting: Energy Efficiency

It doesn't matter if you live in a home with a modern kitchen that has all the fancy upgrades, or one that just has a single overhead light in the center of the room. If you're not using the latest generation of energy-efficient bulbs, it's time for a lighting upgrade.

"Kitchen lighting has made great strides in the past couple of years, not just from a design standpoint, but with regards to energy efficiency. So upgrades are definitely worth looking into," says Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky's School of Interior Design. He travels the country tracking trends, and one he's noticed lately is the focus on energy conservation.

"Lighting manufacturers are spending a considerable amount of time, and dedicating a lot of resources to developing fixtures capable of using more energy-efficient light sources than the standard incandescent," Rey-Barreau says. "And it's no coincidence that this trend is growing in popularity at a time when energy costs are on the rise," he says.

As recently as two years ago, the only fixtures available for the kitchen that used the most energy-efficient light sources available today - fluorescents and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) - were not aesthetically pleasing. In today's marketplace, however, decorative energy-efficient fixtures are available in every product category, whether you're looking for something traditional, modern or artsy.

As for concerns people may have about the quality of light given off by compact fluorescents and LEDs, Rey-Barreau says that "while in the past color rendering may have been a concern, it is no longer a problem. Consumers can rest assured the quality closely matches that of incandescents."

Today's advancements are quite impressive, but what does the future hold? Rey-Barreau expects the lighting industry to work hard at getting more products on the shelves that use the most energy-efficient technology developed to date – LEDs.

New LED undercabinet lighting and LED landscape lighting to be introduced in September by Lighting4sale, an ALA member.

Kitchen Lighting Video from ALA

I've posted many times the styles, trends, types and layering of Kitchen Lighting.

Let's look today at a very informative video from the American Lighting Association regarding kitchen lighting.

Click here to see it.

Disk Lighting

Thinking of adding a new layer of lighting to your kitchen
and don't know where to start? Here are a few FAQ's that I address on a daily basis with homeowners across the country:

First off, how many disks will I need for my under cabinet lighting?

The average distance from the bottom of kitchen cabinets to the kitchen counter top is 18”.
At this distance I would recommend a task type throw which at this mounting height will produce a 12” cone of light on your kitchen counter. I recommend spacing the disks 12-16 inches apart.

How many transformers will I need?

In general, you will need one transformer per wall switch/dimmer.
Let’s say you’ve penciled in 10 disk lights. If you have a large kitchen and want to independently switch five disks on one switch and the other five on another switch then you will need two transformers.

Tip: most people I help with disk lighting systems prefer to switch the entire system with one wall switch or better yet a dimmer which means you can usually get by with only one transformer.

What are my options on transformers?

We offer both electronic and magnetic transformers and both work well depending on your total load and placement of transformer.

Electronic transformers will handle a range load of 15-60 watts but must be placed within ten feet from the last disk in the run. I recommend placing the transformer in the middle of the run to assure compliance with the 10 foot rule. We do offer a dual output 60 watt electronic transformer that will allow 60 watts per output max. The dual 60 watt electronic transformers are perfect for smaller jobs, but remember, the ten foot rule is still in effect.
For a smaller system I recommend using a 15-60 watt electronic transformer or the dual 60W output.

Magnetic transformers will handle loads ranging from 75-500 watts. Magnetic transformers are more tolerant of distances allowing them to be placed in attics, utility closets or any reasonable out of site location. Toss the ten foot rule out the window!
Magnetic transformers are great for any sized disk lighting job and are what I recommend for maintenance friendly operations.

Which light bulbs do you recommend?

I always recommend an 18 watt xenon light bulb as they produce a crisp clean halogen like appearance while lasting 2-3 times that of halogen. Xenon also burns a bit cooler than halogen.
Incandescent light bulbs are also offered in lower wattages. These typically cast a yellow white light that is associated with incandescent and have a much shorter life than the xenon version.

Ideal Lighting For Your Outdoor Life

The same rules of layering light apply indoors AND outdoors. You'll want overall lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting - a chandelier overhead, sconces close to tables and chairs, and lighting around plants, for example. Use lights in trees, under the leaves of potted plants, and as edging for pools. Provide task lighting around the grill area, but choose a fixture with a metal shade, to avoid adding too much glare to the surroundings.

Here are some easy ways to light an outdoor room that fits your life, your style, and your budget.

1. Include lights that follow the steps or go between levels, whether ground or deck.
2. Add lights for safety near front and back doors, garage doors and along paths.
3. Consider an automated control system that turns on lights with a timer and allows you to adjust light levels from outside and in.
4. Provide motion lights over rarely used doors, such as a basement access.
5. Have porch posts wired for lighting. You'll add ambiance and a unique touch to your patio.
6. Include lights off the deck and patio, as well in garden nooks and along walkways.
7. Add uplights against unique plants or interesting trees to up the drama factor in your garden.
8. Consider solar powered fixtures. You'll take advantage of a natural resource that's free to boot.
9. Choose dimmable lights or lower output for fixtures to eliminate nighttime light pollution.
10. Match the style of your lights to the style of your house. You'll carry the design theme from indoors to outside.

Lighting Considerations For Your Living Room or Den

The lighting in our homes living room is expected to serve dual purposes. The general purpose is for everyday living. The second purpose is for entertaining. Many of us expect our living room lighting to switch from general lighting, to the softer lighting that we prefer when we entertain.

When looking for the proper lighting, it is also important to consider the room’s features. For example, do you have a darker room with darker furnishings, or do you have a lighter room with lighter furnishings. What style furnishings do you have? Which features would you like to accent, and which feature would you like to draw less attention to.

A chandelier is a major source of light and should always be considered in the living room. A chandelier can light up the entire room, or, with a dimmer, you can provide the glow that you would like to achieve for an after dinner party gathering. However, you need to make sure that the chandelier you choose does not overwhelm the rest of the room. The chandelier needs to be proportionate to the room, and blend easily with the style of the room.

A variety of light sources seem to make people the most comfortable. So combine different types of lighting. For example, add the proper amount of table lamps with the chandelier, and possibly some candles to the mix. Candles, along with an ornate candle holder, always add to the tranquility of the room. Thus, making your guests, and yourself, feel more relaxed.

With so many varieties of lighting available these days, it is difficult to choose. But when you consider that each source of light is also a work of art, your decision is easier. Just remember the style that always makes you feel more comfortable and make your choices around that.

Lighting Tips for Older Adults

According to experts, our eyes are like onions, and each year another layer of cells forms on top of our lenses. As our lenses get thicker, it takes more light to get to the back of the retina, so older people need higher light levels in order to see better.

Basically by the time people are 65, they need five times the amount of light to see with the same acuity that someone, say, in their 20s or early 30s would need.

Each layer that forms on the lenses also makes the eyes register more amber, and that changes our perception of color. Amber absorbs bluish and purplish colors, so the older you get, the less blue you can see. That’s why it’s important for older adults to have light sources that give off cooler, bluer light — such as fluorescents and blue LEDs — rather than incandescent bulbs, which tend to have a more yellow cast.

And as our lenses get thicker, we also become more sensitive to glare because the additional layers scatter the light we see.

That’s why experts say one of the best ways to increase overall light levels for older adults is to install full spectrum linear fluorescent tubes near the ceiling to let the light bounce up on light-colored walls to increase the amount of indirect light in a room.

Undercabinet lighting can increase overall light levels, as well. Use fluorescent fixtures with prismatic acrylic lenses and electronic ballasts that power T8 (1” diameter) or even better yet high output high color rendering T5 fluorescent tubes. Fluorescent tubes with a Kelvin temp of 41K or 50K are stronger in the blue spectrum.

Undercabinet lighting is ideal with a light colored countertop and a matte surface, otherwise the light may cause too much glare. A polished black marble can be a real glare bomb.

Task lighting is especially important for older adults, who have a harder time adjusting their eyes to varying light levels, and both say task lighting should work in tandem with bright, overhead lighting. Recessed light above the kitchen sink are a great help.

It’s also important to combine both general and task lighting in the bathroom. In the shower, for example, installing a wet-location-rated downlight to provide good task lighting in the shower. And next to the mirror, avoid lighting that will create shadows.

If you don’t have large mirrors that bounce the light around it’s important to have lighting on the sides of the mirrors so you’re lighting your face from both sides, and for men, particularly [for] grooming.

Many older adults may use LED Lighting lighting in the toe spaces of their vanity safely leading them on frequent trips to the bathroom during the night.

Ten Tips & Techniques for Home Lighting

Have you ever wondered how to improve your indoor lighting? Here are 10 tips and techniques to help you improve the lighting in your home.

1. Replace your recessed light trims with wall washers or eyeballs to redirect harsh overhead light to focal points (bookshelves, sculpture, pictures, fireplace, etc.).

2. Replace some of your translucent lampshades with opaque ones to increase the dramatic lighting effects.

3. Add accent lights (picture lights, plant uplights, sculpture lights, etc.).

4. Provide for a reading/task light beside each seating piece.

5. Change your light bulbs! Put PAR bulbs in your accent recessed lights, regular reflector bulbs in recessed downlights, 3-way bulbs in table and floor lamps, and install dimmers on all switches. Try pink and full-spectrum bulbs for a rosy glow!

6. Change your center ceiling light to a softly diffused glass fixture with an uplight function.

7. Add wall sconces in strategic places (behind sofas, in hallways, above fireplace, etc.).

8. Look for interesting architectural features (painted ceilings, columns, crown molding, etc.) and emphasize them with uplighting.

9. Study the room at night to make sure you have balanced the light and have eliminated dark corners.

10. Put your accent lights (for plants and sculpture) on automatic timers. These timers will control when the lights turn on and off. Imagine how soothing it will be to come home at night to subtle dramatic lighting!

Applying Ceiling Fixtures

Ceiling light fixtures provide good general illumination, often referred to as ambient lighting. In essence, ambient lighting provides a minimal amount of brightness, enabling people to move around and see each other easier. A ceiling light fixture can provide the finishing touch to any room and can be used in virtually any location from the living room and bathroom to the stairway and hall.

Flush-mount ceiling light fixtures are a popular choice for overhead, widely distributed lighting. Flush-mounts work especially well in kitchens, bedrooms, hallways and foyers. They are also good for use in areas in which ceilings are lower, making chandeliers and hanging fixtures impractical.

Semi-flush light fixtures offer the appeal of being mid-way between flush and hanging fixtures. Semi-flush lamps do hang from the ceiling, but only by a small amount. This type of light fixture works well in the same locations as flush-mounts and provides dispersed lighting from above, in addition to good indirect brightening.

Chandeliers, pendants, and other hanging lights provide both good general illumination and more focused lighting for specific areas, like dining room tables. Whether you choose flush-mount, semi-flush, or hanging lights, you'll be amazed by the array of styles and colors to suit all decorating themes, from traditional to retro and everything in between. Quality lighting can last a lifetime, both enhancing your decorating style and increasing property values. To ensure you get the best-quality light fixtures for your home, visit Lighting4sale.com, an American Lighting Association member lighting showroom.

Layer your Space

A well illuminated room has a more complex lighting structure than just a single overhead fixture or table lamp. Rooms should be designed with layers of light, creating a warm and welcoming space.

Start by picking what’s important in a space, work from that one layer, and build on it. For example, in a living room or den, light pictures on the wall creating the accent layer. Create general or ambient lighting with a chandelier, pendants or even recessed can lighting. Table and floor lamps are great layers of task lighting for enjoying a great book or crossword puzzle.

Whenever possible, I highly advise using lighting controls such as dimmers that will allow for fine tuning the layers of lighting in your home.

Low-key Outdoor Lighting

With the moon rising and the temps falling, summer nights can be the best part of the day. Don't let darkness drive you inside; use these four tips to switch to outdoor lighting:

1. Less is better. Use less than maximum wattage light bulbs. Strive for a soft evenly lighted area. Light a 30-ft. walk with three to five low wattage fixtures and the house front with two low wattage fixtures.

2. Good lighting simulates full moonlight, not high noon. A full moon shines 1/2 foot-candle of light on the ground — not much, but plenty to see by.

3. Choose one item to highlight with focused lights: gables, stone walls, flowering trees, ornamental gardens, house numbers. Use a powerful flashlight to simulate effects before buying fixtures. Play with placement and note where light and shadows fall. A fixture shining on an object nearby casts larger shadows. Up-cast shadows do not occur in nature, so they look both unusual and dramatic.

4. Reflected light works well to cover large areas with soft light. Bounce light off walls, trees or shrubs.

Something else to reflect on: Outdoor lighting will increases curb appeal, makes walkways safer and discourages prowlers.

Recently Asked Lighting Questions

How do I determine the right size chandelier?
A chandelier should be approx. half the width of your dining table and approx. 30" above the tabletop. Ceilings higher than 8', raise the height of the fixture about 3" for every additional foot in height.

What size chandelier for my foyer?
For an approx. diameter, add the length and width of the room. Example: for a 10' x 12' room, you would add 10 + 12 = 22 for a diameter of 22".

Will a chandelier alone be enough light?
If you’re not comfortable with the amount of light based on the formula above, you can add sconces, portable lamps or recessed lights to add more light and ambience.

What spacing should I use for wall sconces?
Install sconces approx. 60" from the floor and 8' to 10' apart.

How do I determine the amount of light I need for a certain size room?
Multiply the square footage of the room by 1.5 to determine the approx. wattage necessary. Example: for a 10' x 12' room, you would multiply 10' x 12' = 120 sq. ft. x 1.5 = 180 watts approx.

How much light do I need for my kitchen island work area?
Multiply the square footage of the island by 2.5 to determine the approx. wattage necessary. Example: for a 4' x 6' island, you would multiply 4' x 6' = 24 sq. ft. x 2.5 = 60 watts approx.

How do I make a room look bigger than it really is?
Using mirrors to bounce light from fixtures and windows will give the room an appearance of being bigger than it really is.

Island Pendant Lighting

Hanging Island Pendants with Only One Junction Box?

Over the years I’ve often been asked what to do when considering replacing or adding lighting over a kitchen island or bar.

My answer: three to four individual mini-pendants. That’s great if you are willing to have an Electrician install the junction boxes or if you’re lucky you already have them in place.

But some applications with special ceilings have the home owners standing firm as cutting up their ceilings and installing more electrical boxes is not an option they are willing to explore.

My first question is: what is the kitchen island used for? I get a lot of different answers but most people are eating, reading or preparing food. Knowing this information helps with how many pendants and what type of light bulb, directional or non directional, is best suited for their use.

So getting back to the challenge of lighting a kitchen island with only one power source, here are my top 3 picks:

(A)Three low voltage pendants hung on a 12” decorative circular canopy.

(B) Three low voltage pendants hung on a 24” decorative rectangular bar canopy.

(C) A mono rail system with pendants and maybe a few directional heads for good measure. Low voltage systems offer more contemporary styles of glass pendants but 120 volt systems are the easiest and least expensive to install.

Find fabulous Island Pendant Lighting fixtures at Lighting4sale, an American Lighting Association member.