Accent Lighting Fixtures:
When lighting small objects or spaces, or when you are trying to draw the eye to specific
areas of a room, consider low voltage halogen track fixtures in lower wattages or ambient
pendant fixtures. In lower wattages (35 watts or less) low voltage track heads can be an
ideal solution for accent lighting. They allow multiple heads to be used to illuminate small
pieces of art or areas of a room.
Pendants using non-directional (ambient) light bulbs (commonly called ambient pendants) are
also very popular as accent lighting. The nature of these pendants allows richly colored
hand-blown glass shades to be gently illuminated from within to dramatic effect. These
fixtures create a natural focal point in any room and are ideally used over a bar or table.
Finally, recessed fixtures are a good choice for accent lighting. They allow focused light
to be cast on walls, artwork and surfaces.
Circuit Design - Control Different Lighting Classes Separately
Circuit design can be a complicated topic for new construction. Consult your electrician or
architect in that case. For remodeling or simple lighting upgrades, the circuits are already
in place so consumer options are limited.
One final current trend in lighting is for almost all fixtures to be put on dimmers. Putting
fixtures on dimmers allows light to be varied in different ways for different moods. Adding
dimmers is easily done without rewiring your home.
One rule to remember when adding fixtures or planning original circuits is to endeavor to
keep lighting for general illumination, task lighting and accent lighting on separate
circuits. By adjusting the light level of each of these three classes of lighting, you
can easily vary the mood of a room. Functional, relaxed or intimate…any mood can be
achieved by balancing the three types of light.
Planning and designing your lighting makeover, when done with care, is fun and the results
can be stunning. Go ahead, try something new and see yourself in a new light.
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