Lighting Tips: Easy Ways to Improve a Home

In this economy, people turn to investing in things closest to them particularly the comfort of their homes. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to do that is with lighting: Redeco-rating with lighting is not only a nice reflection on a home, it can upgrade your living space.

Whether you install a dramatic chandelier, accent your house with outdoor lighting, or simply plug in a beautifully designed table lamp, lighting does more than complete the décor it boosts the value of your home, creates atmosphere, and helps to express your per-sonal style.

The reason lighting is one of the most economical investments for homeowners is that it can make a great difference without involving major renovation expenses. People see their homes as havens from day-to-day difficulties, says Todd Langner of Kichler Lighting, the world's largest decorative lighting company. The right lighting sets a comforting tone and conveys to guests that the people who live there value home and family.

Dollar-for-dollar lighting adds more to your home because it makes an impact in more than one way: when it's off, the light fixture or lamp itself is a design element, and when it's on, the light plays can dramatically affect the look and feel of the room.

Lighting also is functional: It can make a small room look spa-cious and a large room seem cozy. Here are some tips to help you choose the right light:

*Consider the size of the room. Simply put, it should be in the right proportion for your space. It's a good idea to bring a photo of the room as well as its dimensions to the showroom, so the lighting professional will be able to tell you the proper height, width and extension to select.
*Ask yourself what you want the lighting to accomplish? Do you want to illuminate the whole room, highlight a task, or accent an area for effect?
*Use a professional, certified electrician for installation. Refer-ral from an authorized lighting showroom can mean the work is backed by service guarantees.
*Bring the inside out. Don't forget that outdoor lighting not only adds to the curb appeal of your house, it can increase its value and provide security for your surroundings.
*Look for quality in design and craftsmanship. Remember that lighting should look as beau-tiful in a room in the daytime when it's turned off as it does in the evening.