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They’re the areas of our homes that we tend to use the least: hallways, staircases, and attics. But these “forgotten” spaces can benefit from good lighting as much as any other part of your home. Here are a few ideas:

Hallways

• When planning lighting for hallways, consider the scale of the area in question. Large, dramatic light fixtures work well with high ceilings, but they often become overbearing in less open spaces.
• Pendant lights aren’t just for bathrooms and kitchens. You can also use one in a hallway to draw attention to a piece of furniture, such as a console table or a low shelving unit.
• Directing light at an object at the end of the hall with a pendant or a picture light will pull focus through the space (rather than directing it toward the walls). You can also use this tactic to highlight the ultimate destination, such as placing a dramatic fixture directly in front of a guest bathroom.
• Is there a corridor in your home’s layout? You can break up an especially long hallway by mixing a variety of lighting effects, so don’t limit yourself to just one type of fixture or bulb. For instance, using a combination of up- and down-lights in a narrow hallway is more effective than just using one or the other.

Staircases

• A chandelier works well at the center of a large staircase. It will not only provide sufficient lighting, but it will also serve as a focal point for an otherwise empty space.
• If you have an open stairway, consider lighting it with floor mounted up-lights; they provide enough light to increase safety while also serving as a nice accent when the stairs are not being used.
• Another good option for stairs is to install floor washer lights on every other step. This is a great alternative to overhead lights if sloping ceilings prevent them from being practical.

Attics

• You can cleverly utilize attic beams to incorporate lighting into your attic. Consider mounting spotlights from them on either side of the room, then direct the beams so they project at an angle–the whole room will reap the benefit.
• To light an attic as a workspace or kids’ playroom, consider installing rows of fluorescent lights, which will flood the whole area with bright white light that’s good for work or play!
• Since angled ceilings often pose a special challenge in attics, consider having additional electrical receptacles installed. That way, a variety of plug-in lamps with adjustable necks can be placed in different areas to add light exactly where you need it to shine.

Yale Lighting Concepts & Design can help you create great lighting for your whole living space, from your reading nook to your outdoor patio. Contact us to find out how. To learn more about lighting for different rooms in the house, check out the rest of our blog!

European style of lighting are becoming some of the most sought-after fixtures on the market. The style can encompass a broad number of elements but is mostly a simplistic design that plays off of a more modern look and often has eclectic, unique or unexpected flourishes.

Euro lighting is known to combine bold materials like glass or crystal matched with industrial finished metals in various finishes. Most often the core element is the bold abstract shape of the piece when viewed in its entirety.

The artistic mixing of various materials and styles to create an unexpected result is the extension of a trend being seen throughout modern design: blurred lines. This perhaps is one reason Euro lighting works so well in many different types of homes.

To incorporate this style into your home consider where you can add a bit of grandeur. If you have an understated home, this might be something as simple as the addition of a table lamp or a pair of sconces. Euro lighting is ideal for use in the bedroom as the old world charm lends itself to the feeling of romantic luxury.

Euro lighting works by melding together many different styles. The bold, complex, or abstract statement that results is the perfect touch of art for spaces of all styles. Because of the popularity, it is easy to find pieces that will complement your existing style.

To learn more about this style and other trends visit one of our seven showrooms or connect with us today.

Offices requires high-quality lighting or else it becomes too difficult for many people to work. If you are struggling to get your lighting just right in your office, here are a few simple tips. They include light placement tips and more.

Minimize Your Light Placement

When installing lights in you office, it is a good idea to focus on just one or two lights, rather than spreading multiple ones through the room. Why? Too many lights will create heavy shadows that are hard to eliminate. It can also create glare that makes it more difficult for you to read or work on your computer.

Keep It Close, But Not Too Close

Should you position your office lights as close to your desk as possible? Yes, but with one caveat: don’t place them too close. Placing them practically on top of your desk will make it more difficult for you to read by causing an excess of light. So how close is close enough? It should be at least an arm’s length away. In this way, you can control the light and avoid glare.

Don’t Forget The Shade

Light shades are designed to focus your light on a specific area and avoid eye strain from excessive light. Pick a shade that can be directed at you and your desk. When working with overhead lights, a shade will slip over the top of all the bulbs to keep you safe from burns and excessive light.

For more light placement tips like these, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

One of the most important things you need to enjoy your home is good lighting. This is especially true during the darker, winter months.

. The main rooms in your house should contain the following types of lighting, so that you always have just the right amount of light based on the time of day and what activity you’re doing in each room. Different kinds of home lighting create an inviting and functional space for your family and guests.

Ambient: Ambient lighting is necessary so that you can have even illumination in any given room. Good choices for ambient lighting include sconces, recessed lighting, or chandeliers. It is also helpful to add dimmers to ambient lighting, so that you have full control over the brightness of the room, based on the occasion. You can even wire the room on multiple circuits, so that you can choose to dim some lights, while leaving others bright.

Accent: Accent lighting is perfect for rooms where you want to highlight a specific object such as a sculpture, painting, or bookcase. You can also use accent lighting to show off a particularly interesting architectural element such as textured walls or archways.

Task: This lighting is necessary for performing certain types of tasks. This can include cooking, writing, reading, or applying make-up. You can use under-cabinet or pendant lighting to brighten food prep areas in the kitchen, and sconces or bath bars in the bathroom for applying make-up or shaving. For sitting areas where you will be reading or kids will be doing homework, table and floors lamps will provide enough light.

Enjoy your home more this winter, by adding ambient, accent, and task lighting to every room in your home. To learn more about our lighting options, contact us today!

Rooms with low ceilings can be difficult to light because of excessive shadows and glare. Most people pick a fairly utilitarian light that looks pretty uninteresting. However there are many lighting options that you can use to create a dazzling and dramatic look in your low-ceiling living room. Here are just a few of them.

Ceiling-Flush Lighting Fixtures

One problem you’re going to run into constantly with low ceilings is bumping your head into lighting fixtures. However a flush light will stay as near to the ceiling as possible and provide excellent lighting coverage.

Often you can get lights with unique and dramatic designs, like that of a sun or a flower, to create an open lighting situation that allows your living room to breathe.

Mirrors Can Enhance Lighting Power

Working with mirrors in a living room with a low ceiling can be tricky, but you can actually use them to create dramatic lighting effects. For example, you could place one angled towards a darker area of the room.

The light hitting it from your fixture will bounce off of it and towards that darker area, improving its lighting by a few degrees. As a result, you won’t have to invest in so many lights.

Short Standing Light Placement

If you are forced to place extra lights in your living room, try to limit them to no more than one or two. For example, you should always have a lamp that casts out light over the areas which you and your family sit at the most.

You also need to ensure that areas where people might sit and read are well light. Short lamps with adjustable necks are useful here for more accurate lighting.

To learn more about your lighting options in this situation, please contact us today.