Home Tree Atlas: Home Decor Ideas and Mood Boards

Designer Home Wall Lighting Ideas

You have all sorts of wall lights: from vertical and horizontal wall scones, to lanterns and recessed lights. Choosing which ones to use comes down to which room you are looking to light up.

In the Bedroom: An interior design principle is to design a room so that the focus is on what the room is for. So in the bedroom, you’ll want the focus to be on the bed. You can bring the focus here with wall lights by placing one on each side of the bed as seen in picture (1). Having light switches by the bedside (like in a hotel) would be an added luxury.

The Bathroom: In the bathroom you’ll want to have lights that focus around the mirror (2). The ideal setup is to have one vertical wall sconce on each side of the mirror and one light attached to the wall above shining down. This way you avoid casting shadows on the face – making it easier to groom.

The Kitchen: When it comes to the kitchen there isn’t usually much space for wall lighting ideas because of all of the cabinets. The kind of lighting you want here are under cabinet lights. This brings light closer down to countertops making it easier to prepare and cook food. Another lighting idea is to place rope lights above the cabinets (if there is a gap) for a subtle glow.

Living Room: If you want a space to feel large then you’ll want to use as much ceiling light as possible. On the other hand, using wall lights is a good way of making a large living room feel cozy.

Other light fixture options that can be attached to the walls in a living room include art gallery lights that hang over any framed artwork. If you have bookshelves, then wall lights or lights fitted to the shelves will create an elegant space (3). Another idea is to have a cutaway in a wall and have a light fitted into the top and use this as a display area (4).

Staircases: To help get around safely at night, one lighting idea is to fit modern recessed wall lights at the base of the wall by the steps (5).

Decorative Ideas: Here are some luxurious lighting design options. To add some subtle indirect lighting to a room, have crown molding fitted a few inches below the ceiling. This leaves space for rope lights to sit above and bounce light off of the ceiling and back into the room (7).

Another idea, one more suited for outdoor lighting, is to have recessed lights fitted into the floor that shine up and wash a wall with light. An easier way of doing this is to have a plug in can light or a mood light like the Yantouch Jellyfish pictured (8) sitting on the flooring bathing a wall with light.

Outdoors: When it comes to the outside of the home, the more important places to have wall lights are by the front door and by the garage – Home Style and Safety with Outdoor Security Lighting. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7

February 12, 2013 in Lighting

The Space Under The Stairs: Ideas and Designs

When it comes to doing up that space under the stairs, some ideas are better suited than others depending on where the staircase is located in your home. Is it in the basement, on the ground floor – is it next to the living room (a dry bar could work) or in the foyer area (better suited for storage and closet ideas?).

Daybed or Reading Area: How about turning this little space into a cozy nook for a daybed or reading area as seen in pictures (1) & (2). Line the walls with shelves or fit a bench with storage under it. If you want to go a step further, and there is an exterior wall, then look to install a window.

A Cozy Getaway: Reading Nook Ideas

Home Office: A common idea for this space is to use it as a home office (3) (4). Fitting a desk can be done easily. The only other thing it needs is some storage options and a desk lamp. Hang up a curtain if you want to close it off when it is not in use.

Bed: If the space you’re looking to makeover is in the basement, one idea is to turn it into a bedroom. Check out picture (5) of the double bed fitted under the basement stairs (14 Different Room Ideas For a Basement).

Playroom: This is a pretty cute idea, turning that tiny space into a nice little private playroom (6).

Kitchen/Dry Bar: If the stairs are close to the living room or kitchen why not convert it into a dry or wet bar (7). It could also be used as a make shift wine cellar with wine racks and a wine refrigerator.

TV Room: If the staircase faces a living area, then built in cabinets can house an entertainment area (8).

Storage: You can either have an open storage area with cubbies, floating shelves or hooks to hang jackets and keys (9) or a closed off storage area using draws (10) and closet doors (or turn it into a walk in closet).

Bathroom: Yup, you can have a bathroom under the stairs – this tiny space can be turned into a toilet if needed. It will be cramped. But the best way to do it is to have the sink by the door in the tallest end of the space, and the toilet at the other end where it slopes. A better layout, if the space is wide enough, is to have the sink and toilet side by side at the tallest end (11).

Some other ideas on what to do with this space under the stairs include turning it into a walkway (12) or how about converting it into a dor or cat house (13). 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13

The Small Basement: Ideas and Tips On Making It A Dream Space

February 12, 2013 in Misc, Storage

Simple Outdoor Pergola Lighting Ideas

A pergola can be a relaxing and beautiful place to hang out in at night. Here are some pergola lighting ideas that will turn it into an amazing outdoor space:

Overhead: A light can be fitted to one of the overhead beams (1). Depending on where you live, you might not want a light that hangs down, say a pendant light, as it will sway around a lot in the wind.

The Posts: There are quite a few lighting options when it comes to the posts of the pergola. These will need some electrical and wiring work done. Some ideas include fitting small wall lights, down lights, or having lights embedded into the posts (aka recessed lights).

If you choose to use solar lights, all you’ll need to do is just screw the fixtures to the posts – quick and simple (2).

Whimsical Lighting For Pergolas: To create a more whimsical and enchanting outdoor setting, have a look at using string lights (3). These can be easily wrapped around the posts of the pergola, or you can hang them on the beams overhead to create a starry night effect.

Tabletop: Tabletop lights would be the easiest way of subtly lighting a pergola. Some ways of doing this is to use candles (4), oil lanterns, table fire pits or bowls, or solar power lanterns like the SunJar (5).

Other Lighting Ideas and Solutions: Attach a spotlight to the wall of the house pointing toward the pergola. Another simple and inexpensive idea is to plant tiki torches in the soil around the pergola, or plant them in buckets of sand to hold them upright (6).

February 12, 2013 in Lighting, Outdoors

Home Style and Safety with Outdoor Security Lighting

It’s pretty amazing the power one light bulb can have. Take for example Stockton, California. They have a high crime rate, so Councilwoman Diana Lowery is making sure every house has at least one light bulb on by their front doors. The Police Chief backed the campaign which has the slogan “Light up the night, crime hates the light”.

Outdoor security lighting is not just great for safety, but it also adds to the curb appeal of the house. A well lit home looks elegant, and also makes it easier and safer to get yourself in and out at night. All of the following lighting ideas are great for security, curb appeal and also personal safety.

The Front of the House

Let’s start at the front door and work our way out. Having a wall light right by the door is a good place for a light fixture as seen in picture (1), to deter intruders and also in making it more convenient for you when you are by the door at night (finding keys, etc). It is also works to light up your house number if you have it here. The sides of the garage doors is another area that could use wall lights (2). High up on the garage, or on the wall of the house or a tree, a great security light to have fitted is a motion sensor flood light (3). Once again, great for security and also for helping to light up the driveway for you at night.

Welcome Home: Front Door Ideas and Designs

The Driveway

Now leading out of the driveway – having lights line this area would be a good idea just like in picture (4). Stake lights work well, or if you want less intrusive lighting, take a look at recessed lights that can fit into the driveway itself. You’ll want to avoid the runway effect which is when you place lights in rows – just like a runway. Instead alternate the sides you put them on. The same applies to any pathways you have out front.

The Entrance

Then we come to the outer edge of your front yard. Some people will have a gate or posts to mark the entry of the driveway. Here is another place to put lights just like in pictures (5) & (6). Once again this is great for security, but also for safety when driving in or out of the driveway (to see if there are any pedestrians crossing). And also if you have your house number hung up here.

The best security lights will be electrical. They will shine brighter, be more reliable, and will add value to your home. They can be hooked up to a timer to save you the hassle of turning them on and off. But not all of your exterior lights need to be electrical. Solar powered lights, all of which will automatically come on at night, can help save on your electrical bill. You can find solar powered display lights for your house number (7) or there are even solar flood lights available. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7