Pine Grove Lighting

admin

2023 Interior Design Trend: Creating a Cozy House that Feels Like Home

2023 Interior Design Trend: Creating a Cozy House that Feels Like Home

by ·

It’s 2023 and this is your wake-up call! Your home needs you – it’s ready for a refresh! This year, we’re all looking for a respite from the stress that always seems to work its way in. Designing a comfortable home will make you feel the extra happiness and productivity you’ve been in desperate need of. These 3 expert tips will make your home a haven you’ll be itching to get back to at the end of the day!

1. Choose a Soft Color Palette

It’s no secret that colors have a huge effect on your mood and the feel of a room. These rooms knock the color palette out of the park without sacrificing personal style or comfort. Achieving a soft color palette doesn’t have to be difficult – go with neutrals, a pop of color, or choose a monochromatic color scheme and you’re set!

Neutrals

A neutral color palette seems like an obvious choice when you’re going for comfort, but it can be tough to pull off – without color, other elements like texture or shapes will have to do the heavy lifting.

The heavyweight champions here are definitely the plants! Adding some green to an otherwise neutral-heavy space brings some life and vibrance without destroying the tranquility you desperately need. Finishing this look with a variety of textures and shapes from the hard wood edges to the pair of round tables to the woven area rug makes this space feel comfortable, creative, and cozy.

This neutral bedroom incorporates beige and white with black accents to ground the space. The night stands with pendants hanging above elevate the space, giving you lighting and a gorgeous focal point! We love how this space feels lived-in without looking cluttery. With neutral tones, the soft textures of the rug and blankets are what make this room feel comfortable and cozy.

Picking a neutral color palette for this sitting area really make the shapes shine. We love how arches are carried throughout the design from the furniture to the architecture. This chair looks like a cloud and with the gorgeous light above it, anyone sitting here would feel like they’re in the heavens!

Pop of Color

A cozy home doesn’t have to be colorless! If neutrals don’t speak to you, try mixing them with a pop of color. It’ll give your room some excitement, but not so much that it’ll feel busy or chaotic.

This living room took a bold color and ran with it. The navy blue is a stunning contrast to this cozy tan leather couch. If we could copy and paste this look into our homes, we would! The neutrals pop against the accent wall and we couldn’t be more obsessed.

These red velvet pillows and drapes contrast with the neutral room and bring in some cozy texture. The bright colors spice up what might otherwise feel like a bland living room.

Monochromatic 

Choosing a monochromatic color scheme is a 2023 trend we love. It’s bold, but still soft. In a true monochromatic space, there isn’t extra visual stimuli for your brain to process. This gives your brain a sense of peace and calm you may not feel in a room with more going on in terms of color. These rooms use a simple color palette and the effect is cozy with a touch of elegance. 

Green is one of the most soothing colors. It can bring a sense of peace and harmony to your home. This couch and wall combo is no exception! Choosing to pair them with beautiful browns makes this sitting room look like it was plucked straight from nature, then given a facelift.

This kitchen uses the monochromatic color scheme to make it look bigger than it is. We especially love that extra wood cabinet with accent lighting both for functionality to store more and for decorative purposes. The calming blues make this a space you’d want to do some stress-baking in!

2. Add Soft Textures

Texture is a vital tool in an expert’s tool belt, especially when comfort is your end-goal. A space can be gorgeous, but if it feels like a place your grandma will yell at you for touching anything in, it won’t really feel comfortable. Texture is what takes a space from formal and austere to a beautiful, cozy space you can actually live in.

There’s no question this bedroom is gorgeous, but it also feels like a space you could spend time in without completely messing it up. The intentionally unkempt linens on this corner of the bed add simulated texture that makes it feel like home. We also love the green velvet accent pillow and floor pillows for an extra cozy touch! A lamp and pendant allows you to have dimmer or brighter lighting to accommodate your changing needs.

There is no world where a chunky-knit blanket and lots of pillows won’t scream comfort. The touches of fur on the rug and the side bench give it an extra dose of coziness. Anyone would love to curl up and hibernate here all winter! Light a few candles in the lanterns and switch on the pendant for the perfect reading spot at night.

This feminine bedroom is a corner of paradise! The colors are soft and gorgeous, but the textures are what really make this space magical. The velvet headboard brings delicate softness to the space. The textured pouf and cane-detailed night stand here are working overtime – and they should get paid for it! They bring elements of texture and give some seating and storage space. The blanket and soft rug are the finishing touches that would have anyone making excuses to retreat here for peace and quiet.

3. Soften Your Lighting

Harsh lighting is the opposite of comfortable! It’ll leave you with a headache and can actually make it harder for you to sleep at night. To bring in some much-needed comfort, you’ll need to soften up your lighting. In a room with soft lighting, the transition from light to dark is gradual and easy on the eyes. Avoid harsh shadows and balance your lights out using these three tips and your eyes and mood will thank you!

Dimmable Lighting

Switching to dimmable lights is a relatively simple way to soften your lights and make your lighting customizable. This cozy room is the perfect place to recharge your batteries. Dim the lights 2 hours before bed to help yourself sleep better, then brighten them in the morning to jump start your mood and your day!

Layer Your Lights

Layering your lighting is a fool-proof way to give you adjustable light. Every room in your house should have at least a few light sources to make it feel more comfortable and eliminate any dark corners. Adding a few lamps across a room and some pendants will give you flexibility to have more or less light depending on your need and mood.

Accent Lighting

Accent lights are the finishing touches that make a room feel complete. They’re the piping on top of the icing on the cake! Adding them makes a room instantly feel warmer and more comfortable. Plus, they soften up your lighting by eliminating harsh shadows in areas that might otherwise go overlooked. Put sconces on an empty wall, strip lighting under cabinets like in this kitchen, or pendants above conversation areas. A room with warm, balanced lighting is a guaranteed ticket to having the relaxing ambiance you need for comfort.

—

Listen, it’s 2023 and it’s time you started living your life in comfort! Choosing to design a cozy home is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about overall wellness! You deserve to live in a home you love, so it’s time to get started. With a little inspiration, the expert tips above, and help from Pine Grove Lighting you’ll be set! Give us a call and we’ll help you soften your lighting and give your home the extra relaxing boost it needs.

7 Ways to Glow Up Your Pool: Lighting Tips from Lighting Experts

7 Ways to Glow Up Your Pool: Lighting Tips from Lighting Experts

by ·

Having a pool in your backyard is an incredible luxury. But what takes a nice pool to a jaw-dropping show-stopper is excellent light scaping. So if you’re prepping for a high-impact pool renovation, your lighting is sure to give you the luxury factor you’re looking for!

Great lighting highlights your pool features and turns them into a breath-taking statement even when you’re inside. And it extends your pool party to after-dark!

But great pool lighting can be very different from landscape or interior lighting. That’s because pool lighting requires a lot of finesse, keeping glare to a minimum. So we’ve compiled seven tips to help you keep your pool area bright, luxurious, and inviting.

Let’s dive in!

Moonlighting– General Lighting Without Glare

There’s not much that’s better than a swim in the moonlight. Unfortunately, you can’t always count on a full moon and a cloudless sky, so a lighting technique called moonlighting is the next best thing. 

Moonlighting uses an elevated light source that softly concentrates light downwards– basically, it mimics the moon! It creates soft, ambient lighting without a harsh glare on your eyes or reflecting too much light off the water. And there’s no denying that moonlighting will bring your pool from basic to luxury!

Expert Tips:

  • When you can, tuck moonlighting fixtures away in trees or your roof to make it feel more like natural moonlight.
  • Use warmer, more yellow light to keep the pool area a relaxing space. Bright white lights are more likely to create a harsh glare.
  • The size of your pool deck will determine how many lights you’ll need to get the glow just right. If you’re unsure how many you need, it’s better not to guess. Too many, or too few, won’t create the illusion. Before you buy, contact a local lighting showroom to get expert advice on your yard’s unique dimensions and needs. 

Light the Water

Another great way to gently increase visibility is to light up the water in your pool. A bright pool makes it easy to swim or chat on the deck without disrupting the mood. So put lighting the water on the top of your pool upgrade list!

Expert Tips:

  • Always use underwater-grade lighting. Electrical safety is critical when you’re around water, so make sure you get the right bulbs.
  • Proper placement matters. Keep the lights relatively close to the water’s surface, spaced at least 3-4 feet apart. It’s easy to overdo it with underwatering lighting, so remember – the fewer bulbs, the better.
  • Lighting an existing pool? Unfortunately, installing underwater lights in an existing pool is pretty difficult. Your best bet is to contact a pool installation expert to see what it will take to get your pool equipped with underwater lighting.

Keep Stairs and Walkways Safe

Your pool renovation has to keep the surrounding area in mind. Whether entertaining or playing with your family, safety is always a top concern. So always keep walkways, steps, and pool borders clearly defined and visible. The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice style to be safe! 

Expert Tips:

  • Tuck lights under the stairs to hide the light source and reduce glare. You can also light your stairs from the side with stylish fixtures that create visual interest while lighting the way.
  • Use reflective materials around the sides of your pool to highlight the edges so they’ll catch the light without having to shine light upwards.
  • Solar lamps are an excellent option for lighting walkways. They’re very low-maintenance and come in an almost endless variety of styles.

Highlight Water Features

A waterfall or fountain brings a home pool from a fun time to a luxurious experience. But the magic shouldn’t stop after sundown! Lighting your water feature will upgrade it to an around-the-clock art experience.

Expert Tips:

  • Color-changing LEDs help to match the mood and keep your water feature flexible. Check the packaging to ensure they’re safe for outdoor use and have color-changing capabilities.
  • Tuck light sources behind or underneath the stream to light the way. You’ll need water-grade lighting for a safe light show.
  • Highlight the fountain or waterfall architecture to complete the experience. While these lights may not be underwater, you’ll still want to make sure they can handle the strain of the elements in your climate.

Make Landscaping Pop

Your home landscaping plays a vital role in every swim, day or night! So play up your trees, shrubs, and flowers in your pool renovation with a few of these lighting tips.

Expert Tips:

  • Silhouetting uses a ground light source behind a row of shrubbery to create a shadowy effect on a wall behind them.
  • Highlighting also uses a ground light source but shines in front of trees or other plants to make them look like they’re glowing.
  • Hang fairy or string lights around or between trees for a soft, enchanting touch. Plus, these are easy to hang yourself and take down for the off-season.

Bring in Island Vibes

Want to bring a piece of island living to your backyard? A few careful lighting tricks can land your home beach bash in a true paradise. And it may be easier than you think to pull off this luxury pool vibe!

Expert Tips:

  • Nothing says exotic like firey displays. So use tiki torches or a feature firepit to heat up the party!
  • Color-changing LED accent lighting transports your party anytime! Bring in island blues, pinks, and greens with a touch of a button.
  • Use highlighting techniques to bring your tropical trees and flowers into the experience.

Brighten Surrounding Architecture

Your pool may be the center of your backyard entertainment– but the surrounding architecture of your home, gazebo, or pool house is the backdrop. Don’t let your unique architecture go to waste when the lights go out. So pull the rest of your home into the pool experience with your pool upgrade!

Expert Tips:

  • Highlight arches and beams to show off beautiful architecture around the clock. You can install small spotlights, use recessed lighting, or play with string lights for a custom look.
  • Downlighting or Uplighting? You can position accent lights to shine down walls or use ground lighting to literally light up your home exterior.
  • Brighten doorways. Direct guests and family members to the right places with beautiful sconces or spotlights.

Need Help?

Proper lighting is essential to a fully functioning home– but it can be challenging to nail balanced brightness, great fixtures, and a budget! Contact the experts at Pine Grove Lighting for advice on your project!

 

 

 

Keywords: pool renovation, upgrade your pool, luxury pool

5 Simple Tips to Boost Curb Appeal

5 Simple Tips to Boost Curb Appeal

by ·

They say not to judge books by their covers… but isn’t that what the cover is for? A book’s cover can give off a vibe that will help you decide on an impulse if that book is for you. Your house’s exterior is its cover. Based on its appearance from the street, or curb appeal, passersby (or potential buyers if you’re selling) will decide if it’s worth their time (and money) on a split-second impulse. 

Whether you’re trying to sell your house or increase its value, the look and feel of the exterior of your home has a significant impact on the bottom line. The good news is, giving your house a cover anyone would want to open is simple with these tips!

Tip 1: Add and Update Lighting

Light makes a huge difference when it comes to curb appeal. Choose modern fixtures or timeless classics, but make sure you have a variety of quality lights so that no matter what time of day, your house–and the landscaping you’ve worked hard to maintain–shines. 

These symmetrical sconces contrast with the white of the house perfectly and add some visual interest. You could also add matching ones by your garage for even more light.

If you don’t have room for outdoor sconces, consider a pendant light like this one. It adds a perfect lighting focal point without distracting from your picture-perfect entryway.

From top to bottom, this house will not be ignored! It draws your eyes toward it by using tons of lights. From the overhead light on the front porch to the lights under every roof overhang, you’ll see this beauty no matter where you are.

Add low-voltage outdoor lights or solar-powered lights to your driveway or walkway for a quick lighting upgrade. They’ll catch eyes, and guests won’t waste time looking for a path through your front yard.

Landscape lighting like this puts an emphasis on your garden beds, flowers, or other plants. You’ve worked hard to maintain them, so make it count–day or night. 

Tip 2: Utilize Color

You can use color to create a focal point for your house. It doesn’t matter whether you use neutrals, contrasting colors, or pops of bright color; careful color selection can really create an inviting exterior.

Don’t be afraid to be bold! This aqua-colored door with a bright floral wreath immediately draws the eye and invites guests in. (Plus, check out that perfectly-placed pendant that will light up the door at night!)

When you’re looking to add bright color, flowers are a great way to go. These gorgeous window boxes add a much-needed pop of color without feeling committed to a paint color. For the DIYers – window boxes are a great little project you can throw together with your scrap wood!

Whatever color you go for, make sure your trim and siding complement each other. Update one or both, but don’t forget to give your house a good power wash!

If your garage is looking a little worn out, a fresh coat paint is a quick fix. This house’s garage matches the trim and contrasts against the white perfectly. 

Tip 3: Decorate, decorate, decorate!

One of the easiest (and least expensive) ways to increase your curb appeal is by adding some decorative items. It’s a great way to make your porch feel more like an extension of your home than just a set of concrete steps. 

Decoration doesn’t have to be complicated. Add a simple wreath and cute doormat with an undermat to invite people in.

A front porch with furniture makes you feel right at home. Throw some chairs and a bench up for a cozy place to sit with your guests, or to watch your kids ride their bikes around the cul-de-sac. Pro tip: Add a few outdoor pillows for a pop of color! You’ll want to spend all summer outside and boost your curb appeal. Win-win!

Have you ever been looking for a house, but you can’t seem to find it? Your house numbers are an essential for guests trying to locate your house. If yours are feeling a little lackluster – changing them out is a very simple project with a big impact! This house’s numbers and door hardware match, pulling the look together. 

Shutters are a classic way to increase curb appeal. These shutters create some high-contrast visual interest by framing in the windows – and the symmetry pleasantly draws your eyes right up the path and straight to the front door.

Tip 4: Exercise Your Green Thumb

Landscaping is one of the first things you see when looking at a house. Is the lawn sickly and brown or thick and green? Are there bright flowers? Trees? You may not have a green thumb, but there are ways to make your yard and house stand out without getting (too) dirty.

Add some interest to your entryway with symmetrical pots next to your front door. Plant some easy-to-maintain flowers or greenery in them for a simple way to spruce up your front porch.

Update your garden beds with some plants and mulch. The contrast of the mulch in this house’s landscaping makes the greenery look lush and healthy. The depth of color helps the white paint on the house look bright and crisp, too. (Bonus points for the lights above the garage–we love the way they pop!)

If you’re a registered plant-killer, no need to fear! Pick low-maintenance plants that require little care – or take a look at getting some artificial outdoor plants. If you live in a place where water conservation is a concern, you can xeriscape (landscape with minimal water use) instead. Choose your plants mindfully, and your maintenance can be simple.

You could also consider planting less and adding lights to make what you do have pop (without all the hassle)!

Tip 5: Regular Maintenance

No matter what your house looks like, keeping it clean and dressed up will make a great impression. From state-of-the-art mansions to 50-year-old starter homes, regular maintenance will make any home look like a million bucks.

This house has clearly been well-cared for. The white is still white (not brown–yikes), the lawn is green and mowed, and the driveway is clear of yard waste. 

If you have pavement, make sure to get out your broom or leaf blower to clear it off! If you don’t, consider adding one. It creates a place to walk so your yard stays nice and creates a line for your eyes to follow up to the house. 

If you have limited time or resources, make sure to design your yard with maintenance in mind. Choose artificial plants or some that require little water. This house doesn’t have grass to mow, and the plants are low-maintenance.

Another tip to reduce maintenance is to use LED lights that don’t need to be replaced as often. Taking care of your house doesn’t have to take your entire weekend!

Curb appeal is what brings a smile to your face when you come home every day. It creates an atmosphere you’ll want to share with those you care about. Whether you’re trying to sell or just looking to impress your guests, updating your lighting, utilizing color, decorating, landscaping, and maintaining your house will make you feel at home and leave your guests with a first impression they won’t forget. Contact Pine Grove Lighting or visit our showroom for more tips on boosting your home’s curb appeal!

Does Your Rental Have Bad Lighting? – 5 Top Lighting Complaints (and Solutions) for Renters

Does Your Rental Have Bad Lighting? – 5 Top Lighting Complaints (and Solutions) for Renters

by ·

Renting an apartment or house is a great way to maintain flexibility and save up for future investments. But making the space your own can be challenging– especially if it’s a long-term rental. Many renters don’t feel that changing up their rental lighting is an option for them – but taking control of your lighting (in a renter-friendly way) is actually one of the best ways to make your rental feel like home.

The basic lighting in rentals isn’t always ideal, and bad lighting can really make your home feel… off. So we’ve come up with five of the top complaints from renters that we hear all the time – and we’ll follow them all up with renter-friendly solutions to make your space a cozy, personalized home for as long as you live there.

 

“My rental feels cold and sterile.”

Lighting has a massive impact on the way our room feels, and on how we feel when we’re in it. Aside from throwing out a rug and hanging some art, tweaking the lighting can also make a room feel more warm and less sterile.

What to try:

  • Use textured lamp shades to create depth, color, and coziness.
  • Swap out mismatched and too-bright bulbs for warmer colored bulbs. 
  • Add battery powered string or LED accent lights to light dark corners and to create a softer lighting environment for the evening wind down.

 

Not sure where to start? Check out your local lighting showroom for expert advice and a wide variety of light fixtures!

 

“There isn’t enough light in my apartment.”

A lack of adequate lighting can make any space feel tired and dull, and it’s hard to get anything done in the dark. Adding more light sources is a great way to improve the homey feel – plus, it’s really easy!

What to try:

  • Aim for 5-7 light sources per room, including existing lights and windows. Lamps are a renter’s best friend! 
  • Make the most of natural lighting by using sheer privacy curtains, light paint colors, and mirrors.
  • Use the best light bulbs for your needs. LED bulbs can give off a lot more light than traditional bulbs, so they’re a great option for a quick light boost.

 

Simply having enough light is one of the easiest and most powerful tools to make your space feel like your home.

 

“My light fixtures are outdated/don’t match my aesthetic.”

It’s pretty common for rentals to have either original (outdated) or builder-grade (basic) light fixtures. Installing new custom lighting isn’t often an option, but it doesn’t hurt to ask! Some landlords will be fine with updating their lighting, especially if you remind them that it will increase their property value.

What to try:

  • Always consult your lease and your landlord before making permanent changes to your rental.
  • Before you start, make sure that your new fixture will work with the existing wiring and switches.
  • Switching a light fixture is a pretty simple DIY in most cases! Check out this Youtube tutorial for a typical DIY ceiling fan replacement.

 

Investing in a new fixture as a renter is a smart move if you plan to stay long-term. Great lighting completely changes the feel of a room – consider it an investment on your comfort! (Every lease is different – you may even find that you’re fine to replace the light so long as you switch it back upon moving out, so you can take it with your to your next place!)

 

“I can’t install new wired lighting, so I’m stuck with what came with the rental.”

Many renters feel creatively limited with their lighting options. If your rental had cruddy lighting and you’re not allowed to touch it –  it may feel like you’re stuck. But the good news is – there are a LOT of lighting options available now that don’t require hardwiring anything, and many can be installed without drilling any holes!

What to try:

  • Battery-powered sconces and LED strips add a lot of personality. They often need to be screwed to the wall.
  • Hate changing batteries? These also come in corded varieties, so you can plug-in sconces, lamps, and LED strips anywhere you need.

 

These options can help you elevate your apartment without creating permanent changes – and you’ll get to sell them or take them with you when you go.

 

“I don’t know what to look for when shopping for a light fixture.”

Light fixtures significantly impact your home, but they’re not something you shop for very often. While an endless number of online options can seem like a good thing, it can often lead to uncertainty. 

How do I know what style to shop for? What does the fixture look like in person? Is it well-made, or will it fall apart in 3 months? Are there hidden costs not shown in the listed price? Can I install it?

What to try:

  • Check out Pinterest, interior design social media accounts, and design magazines to get an idea of what your space needs. Create a mood board from these ideas to narrow down your style!
  • Visit your local lighting showroom with pictures of your space and your inspirational photos to get customized help.

‘

—

If you’re not sure what you want or where to start, it’s easy to get lost in a search filters nightmare. Find inspiration, then skip the hours of hunting and go to a showroom. 

Lighting showrooms specialize in making your home feel its best with great lighting. You’ll get better advice and find what you need faster. Plus, showrooms vet their products – so you won’t end up with a dud that breaks 3 days after the return window. 

It can be challenging to nail balanced brightness, renter restrictions, and a budget! If the lighting in your rental just isn’t cutting it, skip the headache and stop by our showroom. We’ll help you turn up the lights!

10 Creative Ways to Style Your Hallway

10 Creative Ways to Style Your Hallway

by ·

Do you have a hallway that feels disconnected from the rest of your home? Does it feel like dead space that could be more useful or interesting, but you’re unsure what to do?

We get it. Hallways can often be long and dark and usually have little open wall or floor space. But that doesn’t mean it has to be dull, dead space!

This article will cover ten ways to brighten up your hall, so you can love walking through your entire home. Of course, not everything will fit in every hallway– but remember that great design is all about layering. Try mixing a few elements from this list to get a polished, inviting hall or entryway.

1. Paint

Changing up the color palette of your hallway is an easy way to create interest– without taking up space. You can paint the walls your favorite color, get an exciting runner rug, or install a cool light fixture. This strategy is sure to surprise your guests and make the walk to your room much more enjoyable.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Great for small spaces
  • Few tools and no special skill sets
  • Inexpensive

Need help choosing a color? Then use color psychology to match the vibe of where the hall leads. 

2. Patterned Wallpaper

If painting isn’t your thing, or if solid colors just won’t cut it – then try mixing it up with patterns! It’s a great way to add dimension to a room. Wallpaper is an easy way to refresh your walls (or doors) without needing much skill.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Endless choices, from minimalist to maximalist
  • Wallpaper selection for all skill levels
  • Faster than custom paint jobs

Renting? No problem! You can still customize your walls with removable stick-on wallpaper!

3. Wainscoting

If you want to look subtly expensive, then Wainscoting is a great route. Adding geometric elements with trim gives your walls texture and interest without complications. They’re especially great for stairways or hallways since they don’t occupy any floor space.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Few tools required
  • Materials are relatively inexpensive
  • Customizable dimensions for your space

Don’t want to buy a table saw for the project? Measure ahead of time, then have the pieces cut at the hardware store.

4. Mirrors

Mirrors are genius design elements. Playing with the style of the frame and the shape of the mirror gives you a lot of room to add personality to your walls, but the best part is that they can make any space feel bigger and brighter.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Fits available wall space– big or small!
  • Makes any space look larger by reflecting light
  • No special tools or skills required

Don’t have a lot of wall space? Then try finding small mirrors and hang them as a collection– art over function.

5. Gallery Wall

Even with a lot of doors, most hallways have a stretch where you can stash a mini-gallery wall. Class it up with sconces or track lighting, and then you’ve got a casual museum experience.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Easy to refresh
  • Frames provide a second level of design
  • Easy to customize and install

Switching out art with the seasons will add intention to your design and help your space reflect your mood.

6. Lighting

Play with the lighting of your hallway to take away the gloom of a confined, windowless space. This designer used a vintage pendant in the main hall with a complimentary sconce to create a cozy nook. These simple touches take the color palette and existing decor to round out “French countryside” vibes.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Updating builder-grade installs immediately elevates the space
  • Replacing existing fixtures doesn’t require professional skill
  • LEDs light baseboards for nighttime vision and a luxury feel

Did you know that LEDs and sconces can come with a plug? No hard-wiring required!

7. Console Table

Console tables solve so many interior design headaches. These narrow tables match any style while providing a catch-all for keys, showing off decor and collectibles, and more. Finally, try adding a lamp for a finished look.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Thin enough to leave walking space
  • Provides storage or decor space
  • Layer with art or mirrors above for an Instagram worthy configuration

Try flipping a thrift find to manage costs– a little TLC can give you a unique piece for a fraction of the price.

8. Rugs

Rugs are an excellent design option, even if you already have carpeted floors. They add texture, color, and pattern to your space. They can make the hall appear larger and protect the flooring underneath them! Get an extra high pile for a cloudlike experience on bare feet.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Easily fit any hall without taking up needed space
  • Switch out seasonally– no long term commitment
  • Find options on any budget!

Have you been itching to take a risk with color and pattern but can’t commit? Rugs seem to be an exception to the rules, so go for it!

9. Seating

Benches, chairs, or stools– a place to sit makes all the difference. Seating adds excellent functionality to your entry hall and offers a new design element at the same time. You can layer it with decor, position it under shelves or mirrors for layering, or even have it double as storage.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Combines design with function– get space for putting on socks or shoes
  • Layer with pillows or blankets for added texture
  • Use an armchair or stool in corners if there isn’t room in the walkway

Use the material of your seating for an unexpected surprise– metal in a soft space, velvet in a minimalist zone, or wood in an industrial realm.

10. Shelves

Great design is all about layering different elements. Floating shelves provide a place for new decor without taking up valuable walking space. You can play with the shape of your shelves for added interest!

Why you’ll love it:

  • From planks to grids to honeycombs – you can customize your shelves any way you like them
  • Need very few tools to hang them
  • Try corner shelving for tight spaces

Can’t find what you like? Try your hand with a TikTok or Pinterest-inspired DIY project!

———————————-

Having trouble choosing what to highlight in your redesign? The dedicated experts at Pine Grove Lighting can help you pick the perfect, show-stopping light fixtures for your design. Contact us today to get started on your grandmillennial refresh!

How to Choose the Right Recessed Lights for Your Home : An In-Depth Homeowners Guide

How to Choose the Right Recessed Lights for Your Home : An In-Depth Homeowners Guide

by ·

Recessed lights go by many names, such as downlights, pot lights, can lights, and puck lights. No matter the name, they all refer to light fixtures that are installed inside (recessed into) your ceiling. They shine light into the room without hanging down into the space like a chandelier or a flush mount fixture. 

There’s a lot to know about recessed lights before you install them in your home, but it can be hard to find all of the information you need in one place. So we’ve put together this handy guide with everything you need to know in one place to help you decide which recessed light is right for you!

Recessed Lights 101

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, here’s a quick overview of some of the most important terms you need to know when shopping for recessed lighting.

Recessed Lighting Terms

There are three parts to a recessed light: the housing, the bulb, and the trim. The housing holds all of the wires and connectors inside a protective case that sits inside your ceiling, out of sight. The bulb is the part that gives off light. The trim is the visible portion of a recessed light that covers the housing and the hole in the ceiling, giving it a finished look. 

You’ll also need to pay attention to how widely the trim allows the light to shine – this is called the Beam Angle. Recessed light beam angles can range from a narrow 15-degree spotlight to a 120-degree floodlight. Generally speaking, anything from 60 to 120 degrees will work well for general lighting in your home.

Types of Recessed Lights

Traditional – These are the original recessed lights. They’ve been around the longest, but they have their pros and cons. They’re cheaper to purchase but more expensive to operate than LED options. They also produce heat, so you’ll need to be conscious of location.

LED – These newer recessed lights may cost more upfront, but they use considerably less power to run, which makes them cheaper to use. LED bulbs last for a very long time, so you won’t have to pay to replace them every year. They also produce minimal heat, making them a safer alternative to traditional lights. 

Ultra-Thin / Canless – These are a small subsection of LED recessed lights that have been designed specifically for use in remodels. The housing in these recessed lights is about as thick as drywall, so they’re much easier to install in an existing ceiling.

Ease of Install

If you’re replacing an old recessed light with a new one, installation is a pretty basic homeowner DIY. If you’re trying to add recessed lights where they weren’t before, that’s usually a much larger project. 

Recessed lights typically have a large housing, which means they need to be installed between the framing lumber in your ceiling. In new builds, this isn’t a problem because the spacing of your lights can be planned out during construction. If you’re installing recessed lights after the fact, creating an evenly spaced grid of lights can be a little bit more difficult. You’ll likely need to hire an electrician or contractor to help run the wiring correctly.

Canless lights are often the best choice for renovations because they can be installed almost anywhere in the ceiling. While easier to install, it’s still a pretty significant electrical project. If you’re comfortable with that type of DIY work you can give it a try, but most homeowners usually hire a professional.

Sizing

Homeowners are often surprised at the size of their recessed lights after they’ve been installed. It’s important to know that the measurement on the packaging of a recessed light refers to the size of the light’s housing, not to the size of the trim.

The measurement on the packaging tells you how large the hole will need to be in your ceiling so that you can plan out your spacing. You’ll also need to take into account the size of the trim.

Remember, the trim on a recessed light is there to cover the edges of the light and the hole, so it sits below the drywall and extends out from the fixture. Because trim styles vary, a 4” recessed light could appear 5, 6, or even 7 inches wide once installed.

Make sure you double-check that you measured the right part before you cut, or you could end up with a lot of drywall patching!

How to Choose the Right Size

Recessed lights come in a lot of different sizes, but the 6” size has been an unofficial industry standard for a long time. Now, with LED technology, manufacturers are finding ways to create the same amount of light in smaller packaging. Their smaller 4” counterparts pack a pretty big punch for their size, and they just might end up being a better fit for your space.

Light Coverage 

If you’re lighting an entire room with recessed lights, both 4” and 6” sizes will do the job well. They are pretty interchangeable as a general lighting option, but there are a few things to consider.

Ceiling Height: You’ll need to consider the height of your ceilings. Both 4” and 6” work well at standard ceiling height. For vaulted ceilings, you might want to consider sticking with larger lights with wide beam angles – the taller the ceiling, the more evenly diffused the light will be across your space. 

Existing Fixtures: If you’re adding recessed lights to work together with an existing light fixture like a chandelier or a ceiling fan, take stock of the way the existing fixture lights the space at different times throughout the day and at night. 6” recessed lights can help raise overall ambient light if the room is too dim. 4” lights are often a better choice if you need lighting around the dark edges of a room. 

How You Use the Room: The rooms in your home don’t need an equal amount of light in every square inch. Your rooms will feel better if the lighting is tailored to the way you use them. 

For example, this kitchen has beautiful pendant lights, but on their own they’d cast shadows onto the kitchen worksurfaces. This homeowner installed a row of recessed lights around the perimeter of the kitchen to provide better light on the countertop prep surfaces. In the dining area, a softer chandelier on a separate switch lights the table, which gives it a more comfortable, relaxing feel for when it’s time to eat.

Cost

4” lights are going to cost you less upfront simply because they’re smaller and cost less to make – although prices are going to vary based on materials, finishes, and special features. They also cost less to run because they use less power. 

6” lights may cost more, but (depending on the specific fixture) you may be able to use fewer 6” lights to achieve the same coverage as a larger number of 4” lights. 

If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll want to map out your room with both sizes and then run the numbers both ways to make sure you’re getting the best deal. 

Decor

For years now, homeowners have been ditching ceiling lights in favor of a grid of recessed lights. But, the lack of visual interest is starting to sway designers back towards beautiful statement ceiling light fixtures like chandeliers and pendants. 

In rooms where modern statement fixtures are providing most of the ambient light for space, larger recessed lights aren’t really necessary. 4” lights are a much better option for creating beautiful layers of light without over-lighting your space. You’ll find this size most often in rooms with a modern design.

You’ll find 6” lights most often in large open rooms that need a lot of light, and in rooms with more traditional decor. 

Because 6” lights are more common, they currently have more trim styles available. If you have a specific style of trim in mind, make sure you find out if it’s available in the size you want before you buy!

Location/Uses

4” recessed lights are most commonly used in smaller spaces like hallways, home offices, and over the kitchen sink. They’re perfect for lighting a reading or craft area where you want to see what you’re doing. They’re also a great size for highlighting artwork or architectural features without washing them out. 

6” lights do their best work lighting a large room like a living room or dining room. They’re also a great choice for rooms with high ceilings, as their larger size will help to spread the light more uniformly throughout the space.

Properly placed recessed lights can make your rooms feel bigger if you employ a technique called Wall Washing. Wrapping your room in 4” recessed lights will evenly coat the wall with light, making the entire space feel more spacious. This is a great trick for smaller spaces like hallways and narrow rooms, and it helps to hide imperfections in the wall finish. 

Placement is important here – if your recessed lights are installed too close to the wall, they’ll create a cone of light (called wall grazing) which will not have the same space-creating effect. The goal is to get soft, even coverage across the wall without any harsh lines.

Overview

To sum it all up, here’s a handy comparison between 4” and 6” recessed lights. 

Other Things to Consider

The size you choose matters, but there are other things you need to consider before purchasing! LED recessed lighting has come a long way in the past few years, and new features are regularly being added to the lineup.

Color

LED lights come in a wide variety of colors, measured in Kelvins (K). 

Warm light (up to 3000K) appears orange or yellow, like the light from traditional incandescent bulbs. It feels soft and cozy, and is a great choice for places where you want to wind down and relax, like a bedroom or a living room. 

Daylight light (between 3000K – 4000K) is similar to the light at midday. It feels bright and white, and is a great choice for most rooms in the house. 

Cool light (above 4000K) starts to appear blue as the Kelvins increase. Blue light feels crisp and energetic and is often used in offices and hospitals to help keep people alert. Be careful with blue light in your home – it can keep you up at night! 

The color you choose for your lights will change how the paint on your walls looks, so it’s a good idea to experiment with it first before you commit. 

Color Changing lights – Some LED lights are color-changing, meaning they can be set to emit warm or cool light, which takes the stress out of worrying which temperature to choose. Some lights can be changed with a switch in the housing, which is great for homeowners that want to choose what they like, set it, and forget about it. Others can be changed with a remote control or a smart hub, making the lighting in your house truly customizable to any activity.

Dimmable

We recommend installing LED lights on a dimmer switch whenever possible! Because they are so bright, it’s nice to be able to dim the lights to a level that you’re comfortable with throughout the day. Most LED lights are already dimmable, but some aren’t, so you’ll need to double-check before purchasing if this is a feature you want in your home!

Smart Technology

Smart LED recessed lights come with the ability to communicate with other technologies in your home, like a smart hub. Depending on the features, this means you could set your lights on a schedule or even turn them on with a voice command instead of a switch. 

There are a lot of things to consider when you’re installing recessed lights. Our lighting experts know all of the ins and outs and would love to share their knowledge with you to help get you started. Give us a call or stop by our showroom and see for yourself how recessed lighting can completely transform your home.

5 Ways to Make Smart Lights Work for You

5 Ways to Make Smart Lights Work for You

by ·

Everyone wants a home that helps them keep up with chores, improve health, and save money. And many smart home features do just that! But many homeowners aren’t using the time- and money-saving tech available simply because they can’t keep up with all the new features.

Smart lighting is a particularly powerful part of your smart home. Your home’s lighting subtly affects the mood, health, and cost of running your home. So it’s essential to take inventory of your current home lighting– then optimize for your family’s unique needs.

We’ve created this post to help you get the most out of smart lighting! Smart lighting saves you time and money while making your home safer and more enjoyable. We’ll walk you through five surprising ways smart lighting impacts your home, so you know exactly how to upgrade your smart home.

1. Access Your Lights from Anywhere

Using smart lights will integrate into your smart home assistant apps. While AI and voice activation are great tools, you can have much greater control of your lights from the app. For example, if you’re away from home, you can tell which bulbs are on and control them from your phone.

Sick of getting comfortable on the couch only to realize you forgot to turn on the light? Already upstairs and remember that the living room lamp is still on?

Your smart home assistant becomes your new “clapper” switch with a much wider range of accessibility. Simply tell Alexa or Google Home to turn off or on the light bulb by name (you can custom program the name of each of your lights by location or phrase). You can also change the temperature or color of your bulbs from your phone, so you can customize your lights without getting up.

2. Automate Home Habits with AI Smart Assistants

Smart lighting works with your home assistant’s AI to learn your family’s needs and schedule. That means Alexa can automatically turn on lights at your usual time to come home. Likewise, Google Home can dim the lights at night to help you and your kids get ready to rest. 

Your home assistant is designed to ask you if you’d like its help with the lights and will automatically learn your habits based on the information from the software in your smart lighting accessories. Not only do these features help your home come alive to meet your unique needs, but they can also save you money on your electricity bill.

3. Increase Home Security through Automation

Many people worry about home security while away on vacations or extended work trips. But, unfortunately, it’s easy for criminals to case out homes that are dark day and night for a week or two and assume that you aren’t home. 

Smart lights can continue their habits while you are gone, or you can customize them to turn on in new patterns while you are away. This added layer of protection will keep your home from sticking out as an easy target. 

4. Highly Customizable Lighting

Smart lighting can be adjusted and customized in so many different ways. For example, the same smart bulb over a kitchen table can be bright for homework, dim for an intimate dinner, or green for a birthday party. And this level of customization is more than just a fancy party trick– the quality of lighting in your home has a massive impact on how you feel while you’re there. 

Being able to change the lights to match your mood is an incredible tool previous generations could never have imagined!

Bias Lighting

You can also use smart lighting to reduce the strain on your eyes. For example, adding LEDs to the back of your TV or computer screen can give your eyes a break by creating bias lighting. 

Bias Lighting helps to diffuse the color and brightness, so gaming and movie nights are easier on your eyes. Bias lighting also improves the visual contrast of your images – so your image quality will improve without having to drop money on an upgrade at the electronics store!

While just a soft white glow can help immensely, you can also get fancy with smart bias lighting, which changes color live with the images on the screen.

5. Work with Natural Light Rhythms for Better Health

Color-changing features can also mimic natural light patterns for a healthier home. Many modern homes overuse blue light– light that shines bright in similar frequencies to the sun’s light. 

Blue light, like sunlight, keeps your brain alert and focused. When the sun sets outside, the natural world goes from blue to red light (like sunsets and firelight), finally fading to darkness. The gradual shift from blue light to dark allows your brain to shut down and prepare for rest. 

Unfortunately, our modern world removes the red light phase of our natural light cycle. We keep blue lights on far too late into the evening and then simply go from bright blue light to darkness. This overexposure to blue light has led many people to have trouble falling and staying asleep. 

Studies connect poor sleep with increased depression and anxiety, poor work performance, and increased weight and heart risks. 

Many smartphones have a “night mode,” turning the screen a warmer color around sunset. You can set up smart lighting in the same way! We recommend scheduling a color shift, so your lighting sets around the same time every day. Bringing back this natural transition to your family’s schedule can improve everyone’s sleep!

Need Help Creating Your Smart Home?

Proper lighting is essential to a fully functioning home– but it can be challenging to nail balanced brightness, great fixtures, and a budget! Contact the experts at Pine Grove Lighting for advice on your project!