Property
C
oordinate your layers
of lighting to help each
one of your rooms look its
best and work well for you
A well-lit room looks, works
and feels better; it’s as simple as that. Whether you are
starting from scratch with a
new home or are looking to
tailor your current space to
better fit your needs, a lighting plan should be on your
radar. Here’s the scoop on
lighting plans what they are,
why you may want one, how
to implement one and when
to hire a pro.
Get Turned On to a
Lighting Plan
What is a lighting plan? An official lighting plan is a drawing, done
to scale, that shows the location of every light switch, outlet and
light source in a space. If you are working with an architect or
interior designer, he or she may create a lighting plan. Or you
can choose to hire a lighting designer to coordinate with the
other members of the design team to come up with the best
places for lights, switches and outlets.
If you are not working with a designer, you can, when armed
with the proper tools, assess the lighting in your home on your
own. After considering your lighting needs, you might find you
need only to add a few lamps and dimmer switches; you might
decide to hire an electrician to put in a few additional outlets;
or you might want to hire a lighting pro to completely transform
the lighting in your space.
Know the lighting needs of your room. Different spaces call for dif-
ferent levels of lighting. The lowest levels of light are required
in the living room, bedroom and dining room. These spaces
are where we socialize, sleep and enjoy meals all times when
lovely, soft ambient lighting is appreciated. Properly placed
task lighting is a must in every room and these rooms are
certainly no exception but overall, the lights can be dimmer in
these spaces.
Plan your outlets. Having an outlet right where you need it is a blessing
The kitchen and bathroom require the most light. The kitchen especially
needs far more light than other rooms in the house, so that you can
safely see the food you prepare and cook. If you have ever tried to
cook in a poorly lit kitchen, you know how disconcerting and even
dangerous it can be.
12 | Choice Options
and you don’t need to do a full remodel to add a few outlets! Outlets
can be installed in the wall or floor, inside cabinets and on kitchen islands. Having more outlets can also be safer, particularly if you’ve been
overloading the few outlets you currently rely on or running cords under
rugs, which can lead to fires.