We all know how lighting can make or break a space, so here are some quick tricks you can try out at home… Enjoy!

1. Put a shade on those CFLs!

We’re all trying to be more energy conscious these days and using Compact Fluorescent is a great way to achieve that. A problem that comes with CFL’s is that they can be very bright and for that reason we never want to see a naked bulb. So if you’ve got some table lamps with incandescent bulbs (just your regular ol’ bulb) try switching it out with a Feit Electric 23W Mini Twist Dimmable and put a light colored shade over it. You can also play with shade colors to get different color temperatures, for example go with a pinkish or amber color to warm it up!

Fun Fact: The lamp life for a CFL is 3-4x the life of an incandescent and they are 3 xs brighter per watt!

2. Need more drama? Replace the A-Bulb with Halogen

If you want more drama in your living room replace those standard 60 watt A-bulbs with Halogen Spot lights. A typical frosted bulb in a recessed will evenly light your environment, especially for spaces like laundry rooms and kitchens. However, if you want a more dramatic effect, replace those frosted bulbs with clear halogen spots. This will give more contrast which makes a space more interesting and sexy!

Fun Fact: Halogen bulbs are more efficient than Incandescent A-bulbs.

3. Dimmers on Everything

For anything incandescent, use a dimmer! If you can’t afford permanent installations (like Lutron) then hit up your nearest Ikea for the DIMMA

4. Your garden is the best place for LEDs!

I have to say, the best place to use this new LED technology is outside! As LED technology constantly changes indoor use is still hit and miss. However, outdoor LEDs have been successfully burning in landscapes for many years! These little power-savers can handle fluctuations in voltage which is great for when you want to add some fixtures even after you’ve completed your landscaping! I recommend the Kichler Light Pro LED.

Long life, low maintenance, perfect for your garden.

5. Play with Color Temperature

Well first of all, what is color temperature? It’s the warmth or coolness of white light! Daylight is actually cool and incandescent is warm. Depending on who you are (and where you are from) you may be a warm person or a cool person. For example if you’ve grown up in a part of the world that doesn’t get a lot of full sunlight you might be a “warm” person because you’ve lived artificial light most of your life. And vice-versa, if you’ve grown up surrounded by a lot of natural daylight you might be a “cool” person. The best way to find out is to get yourself a standard incandescent bulb and a 53W Reveal Halogen Bulb and compare! The reveal bulb has a cooler color temperature.

FYI: Cooler color temperatures are perceived as brighter so if you need more light (and can’t increase wattage) you might want to go with the Reveal bulb!

Kathy Pryzgoda, Lighting Designer