Think about Lighting Ahead of Time

While RP Home Construction will create a lighting plan for you, this may not account for your personal lighting preferences. For instance, you may prefer wall sconces in your master bathroom, and your builder may have overhead vanity lights in the plan.

Lighting preferences need to be established early in the home building process.

Before deciding on any lighting, you need to ask yourself, “How will I be using this particular space? Will I be reading, conversing with others, cooking food that needs to be well lit or do I need to add feature lighting for special artwork?” These are the types of questions one must ask when considering home lighting.

We recommend starting with the functional lighting, like the main rooms – kitchen, den, and living areas, bathrooms, and bedrooms. After the main rooms have been addressed, begin thinking about the accent lighting. The process can feel a bit daunting, so tackle it bit by bit.

Budgeting for Specialty Lighting

As your wish list comes together, talk with your contractor about your thoughts so that you can begin to get an idea of costs. There is a wide range of lighting options, and once you start moving away from standard lighting options, the costs can get high quickly.

Different Types of Lighting for Different Purposes

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is a primary type of lighting. It closely resembles the light you get naturally in through your windows and is delivered through larger light fixtures in your home.

Task Lighting

Task lighting provides light for a specific activity to make an activity easier. A poorly positioned light source may make tasks more challenging. Think of how difficult it can be to read in the evening with a light that is not bright or how it could be dangerous to be prepping food with a low-light source. Extra light can be critical to the successful accomplishment of a given task.

Feature Lighting

Feature lighting may also be referred to as decorative lighting or accent lighting. Feature lighting isn’t necessary to accomplish tasks; it creates a mood or draws attention to a unique feature in the room. For example, lights in your kitchen cabinets may call attention to your glassware or lights on an art object in your den or hallways. These are examples of feature lighting.

And as you think about feature lighting, this is where it is essential to talk with your contractor because there will most likely be electrical outlets that will need to be placed in areas that your contractor hasn’t planned on. Be sure to discuss these well in advance, so you don’t have to make changes late in the game.

Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting increases the amount of light in a room, making the space feel larger. It is practical and commonly used in open-plan living areas such as kitchens and dens. A helpful tip when thinking about placement is to place recessed lights at least 3ft away from walls. Proper placement helps to avoid dark shadows in corners.

Contact RP Home Construction to discuss your new home plans and lighting needs.