By HILARY JOHNSON
Affordable Lighting Upgrades You Can Do Yourself
Inside or outside your home, simple lighting upgrades can make a huge difference in the appearance of your home. A change in lighting fixtures or bulbs might seem like an almost too simple answer to small home renovations, but they can really change the entire mood and atmosphere of your home.
Outdoor Lighting
The outside appearance of your home is what you choose to display to the outside world. People driving by, your neighbors, and the people that come to visit you see this outside display first. Simple and affordable lighting upgrades can make a huge difference. Certain fixtures can dress up and beautify what might otherwise be a simple décor.
Fixtures
Depending on the décor style of your home, there are many styles of lighting fixtures for outdoor lighting. For a more updated and modern look, chrome or metal colored spotlights and track lighting can brighten up your outdoor areas. If you’re looking for a more traditional or rustic style of lighting, there are lamps and sconces for literally every décor scheme.
Motion Sensors
For security as well as convenience, motion sensors are an excellent lighting upgrade that every home should have. Motion sensors can be placed at every entrance to the home as well as fence gates and other dark or shadowy areas of your home and yard. Whenever you or someone else walks by or opens the door, the lights automatically come on. This is not only convenient to you, but also adds another level of security to discourage intruders.
Path Lighting
For sidewalks, driveways, or other paths, lighting can be added along the sides for both safety and aesthetics. Simple lighting along both sides of your driveway not only guides vehicles safely to your home, but also creates a beautiful atmosphere and adds character to your home.
Indoor Lighting
In every room of your house, the lighting makes the biggest difference to the atmosphere and décor. Lighting that is too bright or too dim can change the outcome of your color scheme and decorative additions that you have spent time and money working on.
Kitchen and Bathrooms
In most homes, kitchen and bathroom lighting is meant to be bright and inviting. In the kitchen especially, the light needs to be bright enough to see everything you need to without coming across as too clinical.
Track lighting is one example of a simple and affordable upgrade for kitchen and bathroom lighting that not only lights up a space well, but can also highlight your décor scheme and add a modern or traditional look depending on your choice of fixtures.
Living Areas
Consider using a dimmer for the lighting in your living areas. A dimmer can allow you to set just enough light, and change the mood of the room as needed.
Decorative lighting should also not be overlooked. Adding small lamps and spotlights around your house, especially near art or decorative pieces, can really update your home.
Simple and affordable lighting upgrades can change the overall look of your home, inside or outside.