UPDATING A HOME’S LIGHT FIXTURES
As a professional interior designer in Bergen County, New Jersey, clients are often looking for ways to improve their homes without spending a ton of money. Many of them have older homes that they have lived in for many years, raising their families there. The lighting fixtures in the home may be the actual “builders special”. These are fixtures that have been there forever!
Updating your lighting fixtures is a simple cost-effective move that gets great results!
#1. HOW DO I START THE PROCESS?
Lighting matters a lot. Whatever you spend to replace and improve the lighting in your home will bring you a full return on your investment.
You need a plan before you start shopping though.
Think Function.
Choose the right light for the size of the room. Map it out ahead of time.
#2. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT TO CONSIDER?
Think realistically.
Is this fixture practical? Where does the light beam go? Is it straight down or is it diffused? What do you need for that spot? If it is a surface where you are preparing a meal, you might need a down light to highlight the counter, not a general light.
What style is your home? Finishes should go with, not fight the look of your home.
#3. ARE YOU GOING TO SELL YOUR HOME SOON?
If selling is in the near future, you might consider what the fixture will look like in a bare room when your furniture is gone. Will a buyer like what you purchased? Some deals are broken by a fixture…ask any realtor!
#4. HOW CAN YOU UPDATE ON A BUDGET?
There are lots of things you can do yourself to improve the look of the fixtures you already have.
For example, take the shades on the chandelier. Many shades are the traditional bell shape. That shape has gone. Now fixtures have drum shades. Adding that shape will update the chandelier and bring it into the recent past!
If you are good with a can of spray paint, you might consider changing the finish of the fixture while you are at it.
Many vanity fixtures have exposed “Hollywood” type bulbs, which date the space. There are now kits you can buy and install over the bulbs to give a more updated look and conceal the bulbs while keeping the lighting.
