Light Your Home

All living things depend on light to survive, but did you know that the light you are exposed to throughout the day (and night) can affect your health?

Lighting can be tricky in a closet, laundry room, or any small space that requires adequate illumination and good color rendering.

When it comes to home renovations, the first things that come to mind are often cosmetic features like new flooring, countertops, or paint colors.

mart and connected home products are growing in popularity and they offer more than just convenience and "cool” factor.

It can be difficult to get outside during the winter months, especially during the work week when it's often already dark by the time you get home.

These days people are spending more time enjoying their homes, inside and out. Put your home in the best light and pull everything together with these simple tips:

This fall and winter more than ever, many of us will be spending most of our time at home. C

Mountain home design style may conjure up thoughts of moose heads, bearskin rugs, and rustic cabin décor, but that look has had its day.

Each year brings a profusion of new design trends for the home, and new lighting designs play a crucial part in setting style.

First came the farmhouse design trend, a humble, nurturing style that is a nostalgic throwback to a simpler time.

With the popularity of today's open floor plans, oversized islands, and eat-in kitchens, the dining room has become somewhat of an afterthought - just a space tucked between the kitchen and the living room.

Just the word “chandelier” can bring to mind an ornate, candle-bedecked light glimmering over the center of a dining room table.

The days are growing shorter and darker, and less daylight means it’s time to use lighting and seasonal elements to brighten up the home.

Adding the perfect amount of exterior lighting will brighten up a dark landscape, giving a home after-dark curb appeal while also providing safety for visitors and family.

Many home designs incorporate an open floor plan, where cooking, dining, and entertaining are enjoyed in the same space.

Every day can be a beach day when your home's décor has a light and airy Coastal style.

Indoor-outdoor living is more than just a trend- it's become a lifestyle. Many homeowners are choosing to bring the functionality of their inside kitchen to their outdoor space so that they can enjoy the luxury of cooking and dining in the open air. 

From new finishes to new inspirations, to products that typically aren't even considered to be lighting, there are many notable design trends in today’s lighting market. Here’s a roundup of three notable trends that are “in” for 2019 and beyond. 

The days of matching the same metal color for lighting, cabinet hardware and plumbing are over. Today, designers and homeowners are getting creative and letting their personal style shine with mixed metals.

Although LED technology is commonplace today, confusion still arises for the home user when it comes choosing LEDs over traditional light bulbs.

Today’s kitchens are more than just a place to prepare food, they are gathering spaces for family and friends, serving different purposes throughout the day.

Your living room is likely one of the most frequently used rooms in your home. From relaxing with family and friends, to watching television, to reading a good book, this room serves many purposes, and proper lighting is key to making your space multi-functional.

The holidays are upon us, which means sparkling, shimmering lights are all around.

From elegant chandeliers to simple modern pieces, lighting has evolved from being a way to brighten a dark space to becoming a decorative statement for the home.

With the rise in popularity of LED light bulbs, you’ve likely heard talk of energy savings and lighting.

Want to make your home as cozy, calm and relaxing as possible?  Try hygge (pronounced: hue-gah), a Danish lifestyle trend that has captured the imagination of the interior design profession.

Today, LED bulbs are the most efficient, longest lasting, and often the most suitable choice for residential lighting.

While functionality is still key, stylish and unique bathroom lighting designs are becoming increasingly popular.

Many of today's light fixtures lend themselves to various types of installations.

Good design begins with a great lighting plan. From ambient lighting, to statement chandeliers and trendy LED fixtures, layering your home with light is the key to creating spaces that welcome, comfort and inspire.

When it comes to lighting and connectivity at home, everyone has pet peeves.

When it comes to outfitting a room with lighting, most homeowners start with the overhead lighting – either one main fixture or a grouping of pendants. From there, lighting experts suggest adding two additional layers.

Outdoor spaces are no longer afterthoughts in a home's design and decor plan. The outdoors set the stage for the rest of the home, create a welcoming ambience, and provide a space to relax, gather with friends and family, or steal a few quiet moments away in the midst of a hectic day. 

Lighting a sidewalk or other pathway is attractive and a safety feature of outdoor lighting.

All ceiling fans are not created equal, especially when it comes to size, weather resistance and speed. When determining which fan to buy for your room, in addition to appearance, consider these three things:

The myriad advancements in technology are making it easier for designers to create pendants, sconces and chandeliers that push horizontal and vertical boundaries.

The time for backyard barbecues, afternoons at the pool and hours of summer fun is here. If you’re fortunate enough to have an outdoor space that lends itself to one of these activities, you know style and comfort can make all the difference when it comes to hosting this summer.

We are always talking about how great ALA-member lighting showrooms are. With the help of Lighting magazine, we've broken down 6 of the top reasons showrooms are truly something special when it comes to shopping for lighting.

Wondering what's trending in lighting right now? Look no further than these eight design trends from Lighting magazine. You're sure to be inspired.

Whether you're looking for a five-minute fix, or you've got a little more time and money to dedicate to an update, you can make an impact on your home through a lighting makeover.

When it comes to lighting design, spaces not typically seen by guests sometimes do not get the attention they deserve.

You start and end almost every day in your bedroom, so shouldn't it be the place where you feel most comfortable?

Often overlooked, bathroom lighting is more than simply a functional light source.

When lighting a media viewing space, it is imperative to consider all sources of light.

Ready for a redo? Many homeowners resolve to kick start a new year by making improvements to themselves as well as their home.

The beginning of a new year is an opportunity for a fresh start for your home. One easy change that will make a big impact is a lighting update.

Your bedroom is the perfect place to let your personal style shine, and the right lighting can provide the perfect finishing touch to your space.

Whether getting dressed, shaving, applying makeup or styling your hair, there are a variet of important tasks that take place in the bathroom mirror.

When planning your dining room lighting, keep these easy tips in mind.

Proper office lighting is key to setting the stage for a productive workday. 

A popular decorative trend in kitchen lighting is the use of shaded or hooded chandeliers above an island. The shades provide glare control and reflect light down to where it is needed.

To give your home’s exterior a fresh look, upgrade your outdoor lighting to complement existing landscaping and architectural elements.

Today’s dining rooms reflect consumers’ changing lifestyles. Once solely for daily dining, this room has become more multipurpose.

Whether your TV is in the family room, dedicated media room or even an outdoor living area, everyone's viewing experience will be optimized with proper lighting.

You don't have to plan a lavish vacation to relax this summer. With the right lighting, your back yard can become your own private retreat, allowing you to enjoy a mini getaway without leaving your home.

At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than retreating to a luxurious, spa-inspired bathroom.

Office spaces are the perfect place to blend style with functionality. A stunning chandelier can add an unexpected element to a room, but it's not all about design.

Until recently, shopping for light bulbs involved primarily focusing on wattage. After 2012, when the Department of Energy set standards specifying how much energy light bulbs can use, things became slightly more complicated.

Wall sconces are incredibly versatile lighting fixtures. While they are often used to add flare to a room, they can also serve very practical purposes. As a result, they are a great choice to add anywhere in your home.

Whether you're tackling a home remodel, a new build, or simply looking to update your dining room chandelier, the best place to start is always with a trained ALA-member lighting showroom professional.

This weekend marks the start of daylight saving time. As we welcome longer days and warmer weather, now is the perfect time to start thinking about updating your outdoor space.

When developing a lighting plan for any room in your home, it is important to consider the three basic types of light - ambient, task and accent. The best lighting plans combine all three types to light an area according to function and style.

With the options available today, choosing a light bulb has become slightly more complicated for the average homeowner. If you find yourself wondering what bulb you need, here are a few tips to consider.

Your bathroom is where you typically start and finish your day, so creating an inviting space can set the tone for a great day and a restful night's sleep. Unfortunately, many homeowners are left uninspired by their bathroom lighting design.

The right decor lighting this holiday season can help your guests appear more photogenic, boost their mood and make an amazing display.

A longtime lighting staple of dining rooms and foyers, chandeliers are gaining popularity in unexpected places. This classic lighting piece can be found in kitchens, bedrooms, walk-in closets and even bathroom

Your interior lighting design has a huge impact on mood, productivity levels, sleep quality and more. It shouldn't be surprising then how important your home lighting is to a successful holiday. 

The holiday season is right around the corner, which makes this the perfect time to spruce up your home before entertaining friends and family. Whether your guests are coming just to watch the big game or to stay for an extended period of time, your media space will no doubt be a popular gathering spot. The American Lighting Association suggests a few ways to enhance everyone’s viewing experience.

Decorative lights are the unsung heroes of great lighting design. These statement fixtures are important in conveying specific design themes, and can also be used in light layering.

No longer do you have to choose between comfort and design when it comes to your home. Once thought of as purely utilitarian, today's ceiling fans offer sophisticated styling, designer finishes and glamorous accents.

One of the main goals of home décor is to make your space inviting. The right interior lighting adds the perfect amount of warmth to any room. For interior designers, a major point of direction will often be your home's lighting design. With numerous styles to pick from, it can be overwhelming to decide how to best light up your home.

While there are plenty of ways you can bring new life to your home through lighting design, there are also some common mistakes to avoid. 

One of the bigger trends in home design is using natural elements to bring the outdoors inside. It's a design aesthetic that people have tried to perfect for generations, as organic looks and elements tend to create a serene environment in the home.

The shift toward LED light bulbs in interior design is happening quickly, as manufacturers and homeowners find more ways to use these new types of lighting inside common areas of homes.
LEDs come in a wide variety of hues and colors that can transform an ordinary bathroom into something that will give you an artistic experience when you get ready for work in the morning.

Entrances, hallways and foyers all have a major commonality: These spaces are typically the focal point to the entrance of your home. Guests are greeted in these areas and you use the spaces as a means to get to other rooms throughout your home.

Artificial light is a necessary feature for home kitchens. In this space, you work with sharp tools and depend on your eyes to chop, read labels, inspect food and to clean up afterward. With so much importance on kitchen lighting design, you have to be practical. However, this shouldn't limit you from making a bold statement in your kitchen.