Let there be light! What you need to know about choosing the right home lighting

Let there be light! When choosing lighting for a home, where do you even start? With so many options available, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Luckily, Trilogy can help you find the right fit. We’ve rounded up some of the most common questions about lighting right here and have provided “illuminating” answers below. 

Q: How many different types of lights are there?

A: Lighting can fall into three categories: general lighting, task-based, and decorative. 

• General: illuminates a room so it’s generally not dark
• Task-based: fulfills a function like providing more light at an office desk for working, above a counter for cooking, or in a dark space for safety
• Decorative: adds ambiance to a room

There are some options that fit into more than one category—such as cabinet lighting, which is both task-based and decorative. Additionally, most lights can be converted to dimmers to fit your exact needs or preferences, giving them even more functionality and allowing you to fine-tune your room aesthetics.

Q: How do you know what kind of lights are best for what types of rooms? 

A: The answer starts with one simple word: function. For example, kitchens usually need both general lighting and task-based lighting so you can prepare food safely. Hallways and other low-light areas might benefit most from general and safety lighting. In a bedroom, you might want less lighting to create a cozier mood conducive to sleeping, and focus on general and decorative lights. 

Q: Are there different colors of white light?

A: Absolutely! There are: 

• Warm white.
  • Best for: living rooms, bedrooms. 
  • Why: helps create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
• Cold white.
  • Best for: kitchens and bathrooms, and other areas which require alertness. 
  • Why: cool tones elevate energy levels and provide extra illumination for detailed tasks
• Natural white.
  • Best for: hallways, covered porches, breakfast nooks
  • Why: natural light is easier on the eyes for neutral spaces often lit by daylight as well
• Blue white.
  • Best for: offices and school corners
  • Why: blue hues boosts energy and productivity. 

Q: Are there different styles of lights?

A: Yes. Here’s a short list:

• LED
  • Good for: Otherwise known as “light emitting diodes,” these long-lasting lights work well in the kitchen and in tight spaces like under cabinets. 
• Incandescent
  • Good for: desk lamps and hallway lights.
• Edison
  • Good for: These work well in dining rooms and patios, and can be used with a dimmer switch to adjust the amount of lighting. 
• Candle style/Candelabra
  • Good for: Perfect for chandeliers and front-door lantern lights.
• Compact Fluorescent Lights
  • Good for: Also known as CFLs, these lights are a favorite for stairwells, high ceilings, and other hard-to-reach places because of their longevity. 
• Halogen
  • Good for: Because they emit a high amount of light, halogen lights are good for track lighting in offices and small nooks which need ample light to feel brighter. 

Image courtesy of Vecteezy.

Q: What are the most current styles popular today?

A: According to our trusted local lighting experts, current favorites are: transitional, farmhouse, and modern. 

Q: If you don’t know what kind of lighting to choose or feel overwhelmed with options, what’s a safe choice?

A: Our experts say: “Transitional. It goes with most styles and fits a lot of people's needs.”

Although we covered a lot, this isn’t the end all be all of lighting design – just a way to get started. There are even more lighting options out there we didn’t get a chance to touch on, so whatever your need, style, or preference, we’ll work together to choose lighting that makes your house a home We hope this helps get you started! If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!