Older homes have an incredible amount of charm and nostalgia. While some of that charm stems from the old-world construction practices of ornate stonework and interesting woodworking, there are also negative aspects of living in a dated home, namely the electrical system. We bought our first older home a few years ago, and it has been interesting to see just how much of a problem the electrical system has been. We knew that we needed to update a large portion of the space, so we started going through and having sections replaced. This website is here to help other people to know when to work with electricians.
Recessed lighting can give any room a more tasteful look. You do, however, need to think through two key considerations before you move ahead with a project. These are functionality and appearance. Let's check out how these considerations might influence the choices you'll make.
Functionality
When exploring recessed lighting options, folks often overlook the functionality aspect of the job. A particular lighting setup may look great in a kitchen near the counters, for example, but it also needs to provide task lighting for things like chopping food and cooking. When choosing under-cabinet lighting that goes near a countertop, you should consider options that provide a high output of light and deliver it into a focused area.
What exactly does that mean? Task lighting is roughly defined as providing between 250 and 1100 lumens of output. Usually, a bulb that supplies between 40 to 100 watts of power will do the job.
Bear in mind that the recessed lighting fixture will play a role in illuminating the area. It defines the cone of light that's directed toward a surface or an area. A more focused spot beam will allow you to see clearly in a work area, but it'll also provide less light in the surrounding areas. You can use a light meter or a photometer to fully test the output of a setup, although most folks are happy to perform a simple eye test. It's a good idea, though, to check your configuration's output at night to get a better idea of how harsh or soft it is.
Appearance
In addition to the use of recessed lighting for practical purposes, many customers all like to use it to highlight features in a room. This is commonly referred to as accent lighting. The idea in such a setup is to illuminate an area in order to draw the eye to it. For example, you might use under-cabinet lighting in a bathroom to draw attention to the backsplash behind a kitchen or bathroom sink.
Accent lighting should be configured to provide a wider cone of light than task lighting does. You'll also want to test the color temperature of the light to ensure that it doesn't create a harsh, dull or dark look in a room. If you're trying to create a warmer feel in a space, for example, you can utilize something the 2,700 to 3,200 K range to set the right mood.