In the beginning there was nothing. God said, “Let there be light!” And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better. ~Ellen DeGeneres
While lighting might not be the least expensive way to cozy up a room, it is one of the most impactful. Light invites us in and holds us there. Light brightens the space and can have a profound effect on attitude. I love driving in my neighborhood in the evening when people have turned on lights, both inside and out. Not in a weird, creepy way…It just lets me know there is life in there.
There are two different approaches to lighting which vary widely in cost and effort. The easiest (and therefore, my favorite) is to purchase lamps to plug into pre-existing sockets. They come in a wide variety of styles and prices. High-style, low-price used to be the equivalent of cheaply made. Manufacturers and retailers have come a long way, though, and now you can find inexpensive lamps that look good, feel solid, and as an added bonus, will not catch on fire!
My favorite lamp stores are Hobby Lobby, Lowe’s, Home Depot, HomeGoods, Target, Garden Ridge, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. When you shop, think about the use of the lamp (will it be used for reading or ambiance) and the room where it will be used. Think about style and color, height and practicality. If you choose a classic style over a trendy one, then you might be able to use it for years and in many different rooms. Go for trendy, and it will look dated almost immediately. Look through magazines to find lamps that you love and take clippings with you. Target might have a lamp that is oh-so-close in style to that picture from Southern Living but for a fraction of the cost. I really love small lamps, generally under $10, that can be used in a powder room, a dark kitchen corner, or on a small desk.
The second, more expensive, approach to lighting is to either change existing fixtures or install fixtures in empty spaces. For most of us, this involves hiring an electrician, but in some rooms, it would be well worth the cost. For instance, in my kitchen, the builder had installed a ceiling fan over the table and a lovely, fluorescent garage fixture over the island. I hated the fluorescent box from day one and while the ceiling fan was OK, it was not my taste. We bought some canned, recessed lights for the cooking area, and a cute chandelier for the eating area. (see Fabric Lamp Shade post) The fixtures were inexpensive (Lowe’s) and while the electrician’s expertise was not cheap, it was worth it. I love the difference the changes made in the room.
We recently replaced the foyer chandelier (hired out due to fear of falling) and four hallway ceiling fixtures. (see before and after pictures) My husband and son changed the existing fixtures, and it probably saved us $125. It is not
difficult to do, but you must turn off the electricity at the breaker box and have the
ability to hold something over your head for a time. It took them about 3 hours total (longer than expected) because the fixtures were difficult to mount. Some screw problem; not user error, I am told. The wire connections were very easy. The cost of the fixtures was only $33 each (not the foyer chandelier…It was $175ish). They provide a lot of light. Which now shows me that we need to paint…and patch trim…and replace the dining room light…and a dimmer would be nice…
As that wise philosopher, Roseanne Rosanna Danna said, “It’s always somethin’.”
(The chandelier looks a little slanted…I think it’s the photographer…The electrician was completely sober.)
