I recently had the great opportunity to work with one of my favorite companies, Bellacor, as a guest writer for their blog! Check it out here or read on below, xoxo!

Whats better than lounging under a dimly lit chandelier above a glowing fireplace during the cold winter months?! NOTHING! (Except maybe christmas morning) but its close.

Great lighting is the Yin to a homes Yang, a go-to piece to finish off the perfect room! The right light can make or break a room and is, often times, the first thing a person notices. Beautiful lighting becomes the focal point in any space and sets the stage for the homeowners style. This can often be the most fun piece to choose but can also be the trickiest for the homeowner as there are so many different options, sizes and finishes. So how do you choose the perfect light? Here are the top specifications to consider when making your lighting decisions!

Size of the Room: Lets discuss this one first because it is probably THE most important! As with any type of decorating, considering the size of the room is very important when making decisions on what to fill the room with. Many light fixtures come in different size options. If you get the light home and it just doesn’t work then don’t hesitate to exchange it for a different size, your room will love you for it!

 

Location: Pendant, Chandi or Ceiling light; the choice all depends on what the light will be placed over. You will need to decide the numbers of lights as well as the specific location. Task lighting should be used in a kitchen over the work spaces, recessed lights can be used to light the walk ways. If the light location is over a kitchen island then pendants are the way to go. Light going over a bathroom vanity? Consider a wall sconce!

 

Finish: The finish choices are basically anything you can dream up in todays easy access world of  the web. Wood, metal, cloth….gold, silver, black….anything that strikes your fancy! Consider the plumbing fixtures and hardware for the doors that you will be choosing throughout the home. Satin nickel is a very popular option for home owners right now and is readily available in almost any model.

 

Look: Is your home super contemporary, got a farmhouse vibe or is it a cabin feel? Consider the look you are going for but make sure each room flows well together. An antler chandelier may look great in a northern cabin getaway but will seem out of place in an uptown condo with a modern vibe.

 

Ceiling Height: Got high ceilings? Soaring ceilings bring immense “wow” factor in a home but without the right styling it can feel cavernous. Go for a light with some extra height and width to fill the empty space and make the room feel more inclusive. Low ceilings? Think about what will be below the light, if it will be a table then you can choose something with little bit of length but if the light will be in an entryway with a low ceiling then consider the swing of the front door…you cannot use a light that is too low to allow the door to swing completely open! 

Finally, have fun with your lighting! It should reflect your style and how you live. Get options, try different lights until you find the perfect one! Design is objective, but following these guidelines will help in specifying the right light for your home. Happy hunting!!