Author Archives: Bev Martin

In recent years bathroom remodeling projects have become very popular. It really should come as no surprise since people use the bathroom area for a variety of different functions. From personal grooming activities such as shaving or applying makeup, to relaxing in a warm bath after a long day at work, the bathroom is actually one of the most used rooms in the home.

Consider Function

When determining the appropriate lighting fixtures required for such a multi-purpose room, it’s important to consider all the different functions that take place in the area. For most households, a single overhead light fixture is not flexible enough to meet all the needs for lighting throughout the bathroom. Homeowners should consider the times when they need bright focused lighting, as well as other times when they want a softer glow in the bathroom. This might be when they want to relax and unwind in their spa tub or when they make a nighttime trip to the bathroom. Other homes may house senior citizens who appreciate extra illumination as they are entering and exiting the shower and/or tub area.

Whatever the requirements, there are lighting solutions that will provide effective illumination. Track lig hting or wall sconces are great choices to add illumination around mirrors, where people typically need focused lighting for personal grooming tasks. Light strips on top of cabinets can add a soft glow that promotes relaxation, as well as providing some soft illumination for middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom. Recessed lighting may be an option in some parts of the bathroom — spreading light to otherwise dark corners of the room. Lastly, depending upon the bathroom size, there may be enough room to add pendant lighting or even a small chandelier for added drama.

Safety Concerns

Bathrooms are somewhat unique in that safety concerns are a factor as well. When it comes to placement of lighting fixtures, there are certain building codes that must be followed in order to prevent occupants from potentially coming in contact with electrical components as they are using the tub, shower, etc. Before getting their heart set on pendant lighting to show off their new spa tub, homeowners need to check with local building codes to determine the safety zones around the tub and shower areas.

It certainly is possible to add lighting features to illuminate the challenging areas, it just takes some expert know-how. Here at Yale Lighting, we can offer great tips and advice on how to showcase all the important features of your bathroom. Contact us today for more information on how to safely add beautiful lighting to all your bathrooms.

If you’ve ever walked down the frozen food aisle in a grocery store and noticed your path was effortlessly illuminated as you continued to maneuver the cart down the aisle, then you know what smart lighting can do. Of course, these same types of smart technologies are expanding for the home as well. Just as smart technologies help reduce energy costs for businesses, so will they do the same for homeow  ners, along with some other really great features.

Increasing Efficiency

Smart lighting features, along with LED light bulbs, can help homeowners avoid wasting money on excessive energy bills. Today’s new smart lighting components can do more than simply turn a lamp on or off. Now with a simple voice command, homeowners can lower the lighting in a room if they want a more relaxed atmosphere, or if they need more lighting for reading or working on crafts, they can easily accomplish that as well. Smart lighting features allow homeowners to go beyond the “one size fits all” lighting of the past. Now they can fine tune their lighting and only pay for the lighting they need, when they need it.

Increasing Safety

App-enabled home security systems, as well as voice-activated devices such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Home Hubs, are changing the way in which homeowners secure them home, regardless of whether they are actually home or if they are thousands of miles away. When coupled together, these smart devices along with smart lighting technologies, allow homeowners much greater control over their home lighting. With a few simple swipes on their smart phones, homeowners can add an additional layer of security to their property. By manipulating both interior and exterior lights, homeowners can look as if they are home when they really aren’t.

Smart lighting features can also be programmed to light up automatically both in the home’s interior and exterior by merely sensing movement. Imagine no tripping over rugs, pets, or children’s toys in order to reach a light switch. Programming a home’s exterior lighting also makes coming home in the dark so much easier.

If you would like to know how smart lighting features can add convenience, safety, and efficiency to your home, please contact us!

First impressions are everything, and that, of course, applies to when people walk into your home. You want to make a statement, show off your style, and provide the perfect ambiance for guests you welcome into your home. One way to be sure you show off your best style is with the lighting options you choose for your home’s entryway. Choosing the right lighting can be slightly overwhelming, so here are just a few of the options we suggest, along with the overall feel that can be accomplished with the type of lighting.

Recessed Lighting

A simple and classic form of lighting, recessed lighting refers to bulbs that are installed into the ceilin  g. This lighting type provides a non-intrusive look in your entryway while offering ample light to welcome people into your home. These types of lights are classic and will fit any style you choose, as well as suit any future changes your home goes through. Choose specialty or energy efficient bulbs to fit your style and preference.

Chandeliers

The ultimate look of elegance, create a statement piece as soon as guests enter your home with a chandelier for your entryway lighting. With options ranging from exuberant crystal pieces to more simple and rustic wooden or iron pieces, chandeliers can wow family and friends as soon as they open your door.

Lamps

If your entryway has room for a table or a floor lamp, these options may be perfect for the home that does not have the wiring for a ceiling lamp or to add depth as accent lighting to a larger piece on the ceiling. Choosing a base to fit your style and shade that provides the perfect level of light to fit your space and adds to the warm feeling of your home.

Summary

Making your lighting choices for your entryway is an essential part in creating the perfect first impression as guests are welcomed into your home. With a plethora of options, please contact us with any questions or comments in choosing the perfect lighting for your entryway!

Lamp shade selection is all about the primary purpose of the lamp base upon which the lamp shade will reside. The use of lamps in any given room is typically divided into three main purposes. The main purpose of most lamps is to provide focused light for tasks such as reading, office work, or working on crafts or other hobbies. The second purpose of lamps has to do with instilling a certain mood or feeling within a room. Examples include soft lamp lighting that can make a room feel more relaxed and cozy, as well as other lamps that add a touch of whimsy to a child’s bedroom or playroom. Lastly, lamps can be used to add that “wow” factor to a room’s overall décor. For all these purposes, the lamp shade one decides to place on t  he lamp base plays a major role in fulfilling the lamp’s overall purpose.

Lamp Shade Color

If a lamp’s primary purpose is to provide focused lighting, it’s best to stick to lighter lamp shade colors such as white, crème, or perhaps a light gray. Lighter shades allow as much light as possible to reach an individual, thus enabling them to clearly focus on their task. The fabric material can also play a key role in the proper distribution of light. Sticking to organic fabrics such as cotton or linen will allow more light to shine through.

If a lamp’s primary purpose is to add a sense of warmth or coziness to an area of a room, it’s best to stick to darker colors. Darker colors will lessen the light radiating from the lamp, creating a softer light. If the lamp’s main purpose is to add visual interest to a specific décor, then the lamp shade color could either be bold to add a pop of color to the room’s décor, or the shade color could blend in with other colors in the room in order to provide continuity. In other words, it’s really up to the decorator and how they want to use lamp shade color as a decorating tool.

Summary

Of course, it’s always important to consider lamp bulb choice when creating the perfect lamp ensemble. Low wattage light will not be enough for focused tasks and it may not be enough even for ambience lighting. Too strong a light bulb will overtax the lamp base, as well as potentially causing eye strain from excessive glare.

If you would like to know more about how to select the perfect lamps and lamp shades for all the areas in your home, please contact us!

The goals of recessed lighting is to add visibility and ambiance to your home. Modern spaces are generally where recessed lights flourish, but also fit well into traditional spaces. From washing walls with a warm glow to drawing attention to art pieces, this lighting feature is capable of transforming any space. So is recessed lighting right for your home? Read below to learn three reasons why recessed lighting is the right choice to make when building or renovating your home.

1. Illuminating

With recessed lighting the possibilities are endless. No matter the space, objects, art, and walls can be washed in light. It’s key however to ensure that what you are wanting to highlight is done so properly with correct positioning and bulb color. Lighting the wall, not the floor, is th  e ultimate goal. Recessed lighting can also be used as spotlights. Narrow beams will draw attention to a specific moment within a room helping to create ambiance.

2. Sleek and Space Saving

Upon choosing the right trim style, recessed lighting offers a unique design element: it’s flush with the ceiling. This characteristic allows a room to gain its full visual aesthetic. Also, limited headroom and inaccessibility is no longer an issue since the lighting is recessed. Small in size and sunk into the ceiling, recessed lighting easily gives the illusion that a room is much larger than it actually is.

3. Energy Efficient

With these lights you can definitely save on utility bills. Recessed lighting requires low voltage, ensuring energy savings. Most often these lights respond well when used with a dimming switch, allowing uniform, soft lighting. Recessed lights are often referred to as can lights, and are great for layering with other types of lighting such as pendants. This way, the ceiling does not end up looking like Swiss cheese.

At Yale Lighting Concepts and Design we are happy to help you learn more about recessed lighting and how it can illuminate your space. Feel free to contact us today to discuss products and design.

More and more people work remotely, and even for those who still have a traditional job at an employer’s office, an important hub in many homes centers around a computer station. Whether it’s answering emails, or printing out important documents or homework, a home office is an integral part of many homes. Regardless of whether one is using their office for personal tasks or as an employee working remotely, it is very important to have adequate lighting in a home office, allowing one to easily read information on documents and computer screens.

Consider Function

When determining what type of lighting will adequately serve a particular room, it’s important to consider all the various functions a room will incorporate. A person who is self-employed may require an area in their home office where they greet clients and review printed documents together. Another individual may work at home, but they also want to have a small play area in their office where they can keep an eye on toddlers. Others want to have a space where they can highlight certifications or awards they received during t  heir career. Sometimes a home office may double as a library in the evening. Lastly, a home office invariably involves extensive computer use. All of these different types of functions require additional lighting beyond a simple overhead light fixture.

Lighting Options

Recessed lighting is a great choice for those who want to illuminate otherwise dark corners of a home office. This, along with track lighting, can highlight spaces such as a small play area for toddlers, an area to review documents with clients, or to highlight awards. For a home office that doubles as a library, wall sconces are a great option. Sconces provide extra light for reading in a comfortable chair or couch, while also invoking a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. For focused office work, consider pendant lighting that can be moved up and down as needed. LED strips can also add focused light to otherwise dark areas around a desk or filing cabinet.

Summary

Whatever lighting options a homeowner decides to invest in, there are dozens of attractive styles to choose from. A home office can be just as beautiful and stylish as every other room in the house. If you would like to know more about illuminating a home office, please contact us!

The dining room is the heart of the home. It’s where you’ll host dinners, where your kids might spread out their homework, where you’ll carve the Thanksgiving turkey, and where you’ll simply come together as a family every evening. What better way to make your dining room the warm and welcoming place you need it to be than with your lighting? Here are some tips for choosing the perfect dining room lighting.

Ceiling Height

Make sure to account for the height of your ceiling when you go shopping for new light fixtures. It’s easy to think of chandeliers right away for a dining room, but if you have lower ceilings, a flush mount might be the best option.

Natural Lighting

In modern homes, open concept layouts are extremely popular in home designs, allowing for ample natural lighting throughout the home. When you have a lot of natural lighting, you want to keep the light fixtures soft and warm. Industrial styles with vintage Edison bulbs look wonderful in open concept homes because they don’t overdo the brightness. In homes where the dining room has fewer windows, look to a more traditional chandelier that will provide the space with a brighter atmosphere.

Reflect Your Style

It’s easy to style your home with furniture and wall decor, but keep in mind that your light fixtures can (and should!) reflect the style of your home as well, in addition to being practical. In your dining room, choose a sphere pendant with wood accents to incorporate your rustic style or a gorgeous starburst style for a contemporary look. The possibilities are endless.

Mix It Up

Chandeliers are the go-to choice for dining room lighting, but if a chandelier doesn’t quite provide the amount of light you need for your space, mix up the look by adding some wall sconces or a couple matching table lamps on a buffet table. Adding layers to your dining area will create intrigue and an ultimately more fun space to entertain in while remaining practical by ensuring the room is adequately lit.

Choosing a new light fixture for your dining room can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Stay focused on what you need for your space and you’ll find the perfect fixture to reflect your style without overdoing it. Contact us today for help choosing your next dining room light fixture!

More and more families are finding their basements are a great space for a home office, a gaming area, an additional bedroom, or just a large space where families can get together, relax and enjoy each other’s company. Just as with above ground residential spaces, lighting options for basements have greatly expanded in recent years. No longer is it necessary to select from a limited range of options like harsh fluorescent overhead lighting, a few lamps or worse yet, a bare light bulb. With today’s wide array of lighting designs, there are basement lighting solutions for every type of décor including industrial, nautical, “man cave”, contemporary and much more.

Consider Purpose

The first step in finding all the perfect lighting solutions for your basement space is to consider all the various activities your family will use the space for. A small kitchenette will require bright lighting for tasks such as dishwashing and food preparation, including the use of sharp instruments such as knives. A home office space requires sufficient lighting to read paperwork and use office equipment such as a PC, a scanner/printer, etc. A space for a man cave might need lighting to highlight sports trophies or other memorabilia. Lastly, other activities such as knitting, watching TV, gaming, reading, or just interacting with other family members in basement living areas — all require adequate illumination.

Adding the Style

Once you determine where you would like general lighting, as well as all the various basement regions that require focused lighting, then the fun begins as you determine which styles are most appealing. Industrial-style track lighting is a great choice for those who would like to harmonize with the industrial feel already found in many basements. However, there is also gorgeous contemporary track lighting and many other styles that offer focused lighting for any variety of activities. Pendant lighting and wall sconces are other great choices for focused lighting. Large metal orbs or glass fixtures can make a grand statement to any basement entrance, adding that “wow” factor that will set the stage for the rest of the area.

While many homeowners focus on the main areas of the basement that will require illumination, one area that often is neglected is the staircase leading down to the basement itself. Those with a contemporary style might want to select LED lighting that will illuminate each stair for a dramatic look. Others might want to consider multiple theatre-style night lights that will add proper illumination in strategic areas along the entire staircase.

Summary

Whatever style you decide on for your basement remodeling project, we can help you select the perfect lighting that will complement your style and bring an otherwise dark space in your home to life. Please contact us for great lighting choices for basement areas, or anywhere else in the home.