Electing lighting for your home can be a complex task - but if you choose something that makes you happy and meets your needs, you can't go wrong.
Here's what you need to know to light up your life today! There are four main types of lighting, so here's how to use them.
1. Ambient lighting
Bright, strong lighting that illuminates a room in its entirety. Types of ambient lighting include LED downlights, track lighting, ceiling-mounted fixtures, wall sconces, floor lamps, and cove lighting that reflects light from the ceiling and walls.
2. Task-related lighting
This direct lighting is for specific and intricate work such as sewing, reading or cooking. Think desk or portable lamps, under-cabinet or bar lighting, downlights and pendant lighting.
3. Accent lighting
Accent lighting highlights a particular object and puts it at the centre of attention. It's often three times brighter than general/ ambient lighting, so as to create contrast. Pair with general lighting for background illumination and accent lighting to focus on specific areas. Use wall sconces, recessed spotlights, track lighting and wall-mounted picture lighting.
READ MORE | How to choose the right curtains for your home, plus 3 tips to install your drapes correctly
4. Decorative lighting
This type of lighting is bold and makes a statement. Before choosing a fixture, decide on direct, upward or downward light, and the colour and size of the fixture. Examples of decorative lighting include chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces, smart colour-changing light bulbs, ceiling fans with lighting kits, and table and floor lamps.
Smart lights to beat loadshedding
With no end to loadshedding in sight, make sure you're always ready with smart lighting products.
The rechargeable Magneto lantern LED is now a fixture in most homes. This powerful, room-filling 1000 lumen light is perfect for power outages. A single charge provides 60 hours of light. Get it at Builders Warehouse.
This emergency globe fits into your light fixture and turns on when the light goes out. The non-dimmable 7Wbulb LED has a small lithium battery inside that provides emergency power. Depending on the version you buy, it'll last between three and six hours before needing to be recharged. Get it at The Lighting Warehouse.
Bonus lighting option: even though it's not rechargeable light, this nifty globe connects to a phone's WiFi and uses Google or Alexa. The colour can be changed to red, green or blue and everything in between. It's dimmable and energy efficient, using up to 80-90 percent less electricity. It's also available as a downlighter and candle globe.
