Archive for February, 2012

As with any industry, the lighting industry uses certain definitions to describe different types of lighting, light fixtures, parts of fixtures, etc. Understanding the definitions used in the lighting industry can help you light your home properly. Please join us as we teach you about lighting terms beginning with the letters A and B.

Accent Lighting – A type of lighting that is used to highlight or draw attention to a certain object.

Ambient Lighting – A type of lighting that is used to illuminate an entire room or space.

Architectural Lighting - Light fixtures that have an architectural appearance. Some of these built-in fixtures include down lighting and valance lighting.

Area Lighting – A type of lighting that refers to lighting large landscape areas.

Baffle – Often referred to as stepped baffle trims or step baffle trims, a baffle is a grooved surface, which redirects and controls the flow of light, as to reduce glare.

Ballast - An electrical device used in fluorescent and HID lamps, which is used to provide the lamp with the proper amount of voltage needed to start the lamp and to limit the amount of current used as it continues to operate.

Base - The end of a lamp that is used to connect the electrical and mounting connections.

Bollard – Often used to light walkways, this type of outdoor light is a short post with the light source located at the top.

Brushed Finish – A lightly textured finish that is created by brushing metal with a wire wheel, or by buffing the surface with a fine abrasive.

Bulb – The outer glass part of the lamp.

If you know of any other lighting terms beginning with A or B that we didn’t define, let us know with a comment. Check back with our blog again to learn about more lighting terms.

Breath already! We’re finally ready to announce our final five of the top stylish lights for your home. With no further adieu, here they are!

5. Outdoor Lighting – Light up your porch or front walkway with elegant outdoor lighting. Light posts illuminate the way for a path and wall lighting brightens the porch and front door. See: Quoizel NY8315A outdoor light

4. Pendant Lighting – Pendant lighting looks stylish and elegant at the bottom or top of any staircase. The best part about pendant lighting is it can really go anywhere in the home. See: Quoizel YU1545IB pendant light

3. Undercabinet Lighting – Light up your counter space with undercabinet lighting. While you can’t see the lighting and it isn’t exactly stylish, the lighting it will create on your countertops will add a glow to your kitchen.
See: National Specialty Xenon Undercabinet Light

2. Floor Lamps – Place a floor lamp in the family room or the bedroom for a stylish warm glow that will light up the room.
See: Skye Buffet Lamp

1. Table Lamps – Table lamps can really be placed on any table surface in the home. End tables and bed side tables are the most common. Use these lamps for reading or just to add decor to any room.
See: Stylecraft Pair of Bronze Lamps

Just by adding a few or all of these lights in each room or outdoors, it will give the perfect stylish touch to your home.