With housing, repair and utility costs constantly hitting new highs, homeowners at every level have begun an endless search for new and exciting ways to maximize investments as well as enhance the style and design of living areas.

While this quest may seem daunting to many homeowners, millions of others have turned to contractors nationwide to answer the task with a simple flick of a light switch.

Although once viewed as only a necessity, lighting has now become a splendid and sometimes spectacular method for accenting decors and enhancing the ambiance of nearly every home area including dining areas, kitchens and baths.

In fact, many of the latest design trends in lighting perfectly complement the scale, charm and architecture of today’s interiors and exteriors. No longer limited to wrought iron fixtures which lend a harsher contrast with most decors, today’s hand-painted and oil-rubbed finishes now provide excellent options for a wider range of styles that still deliver the warmth and charm that perfectly complement any décor.

In addition, with so many more new lighting finishes, styles and features from which to choose, millions of Americans have also recently embraced the latest energy-efficient fixtures to help reduce energy use and costs, while comfortably adding style and flair.

Following are some suggestions for helping contractors to light the way to the ultimate home and office experience:

Dining Areas

The dining area within most homes provides an excellent example of the many ways to light one room. For instance, at its center is normally a focal piece fixture; often a chandelier. Whether the fixture is a pendant or multi-tiered design chandelier, this fixture is regarded not only as the main source of light for dining, but also for entertaining and related activities.

However, as many contractors have realized, it is also impossible to fulfill all lighting needs in one room with only one fixture. That is why lighting professionals recommend layering dining rooms with the light from multiple sources.

For example, accent lighting provided by wall sconces and recessed lighting can be used to dramatically light artwork, architectural details, display areas and various prized possessions while subtly working in conjunction with the chandelier to provide task lighting. In addition, the backlighting, up-lighting or down-lighting effects provided by these sources can also boldly highlight ornaments and other decorative elements with spectacular effects.

Furthermore, task or recessed lighting positioned under cabinets and/or above key workplaces will not only help to complement any chore, but also to create numerous dramatic effects that include wall washing or the splashing of color above coves, tables or other work areas.

To further these effects even more, dimming controls can also be used to regulate the layers of light throughout the room and comfortably complement the performance of any task or enhance the mood for most events. This includes the control of soft, glowing atmospheres that resemble candlelight for romantic moments as well as full levels of brightness to accommodate parties, reading, homework and a multitude of other activities.

Kitchens & Baths

Designed for both show and function, the kitchens and baths of many homes are now expected to accommodate the completion of everyday tasks, while establishing mood and an overall fashion statement.

 To further these demands, lighting manufacturers, such as Sea Gull Lighting LLC and its Ambiance® Lighting Systems brand, have greatly expanded their decorative and functional lines with a broad selection of rail, track and glass pendant options, which have been designed to tastefully add spots of light and splashes of color to any kitchen and bath. For instance, Ambiance® Transitions new rail systems offer the benefits of more contemporary rail lighting, but in warm, antique bronze finishes and glass pendant styles to easily complement the ambiance of most decors.

 Furthermore, strategically-positioned recessed fixtures and wall sconces provide an ideal method for creating warm, spa-like atmospheres in baths as well as facilitating tasks and enhancing their safety. As an example, vanity lights placed on both sides of a mirror can provide generous levels of light and reduce the glare, which can hinder the application of makeup or other grooming activities. In addition, damp- or wet-rated recessed lighting can be added over tub areas or positioned in showers to reduce the chance of falls and other accidents.

 Energy-Efficiency

Once known for unattractive hues, humming or even flickering, today’s energy-efficient lighting not only matches the quality of traditional counterparts, it also helps users reduce energy costs.

For instance, the replacement of five frequently used lighting fixtures with ENERGY STAR qualified lighting can reduce energy bills by as much as $35 a year. Furthermore, these savings can even become greater with the switching of more fixtures since the average American household contains an average of 30 lighting products.

Another benefit and selling point for ENERGY STAR qualified lighting is now the wide selection of fixtures that is currently available in hundreds of styles and finishes. Ranging from table, desk and floor lamps to outdoor, suspended, recessed, linear and under-cabinet lighting, these fixtures can accommodate the lighting needs of any room in the house or office including the bath, kitchen and dining room.

In addition, please consider these other advantages when choosing between traditional and ENERGY STAR qualified lighting for your next lighting project:

• Given the latest alarming reports on global warming, many consumers are on the outlook for new ways to reduce greenhouse emissions. Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved enough energy to power 28 million homes and reduced greenhouse emissions equivalent to that of 23 million cars.
• Other than some outdoor models, all ENERGY STAR qualified lighting products come with pin-based compact fluorescent light bulbs that use at least 2/3 less energy and last at least 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.
• Because outdoor lighting is generally used more than indoor lighting, ENERGY STAR qualified outdoor models can save approximately $260 in energy and bulb replacement costs over the cost or their lifetime.

• ENERGY STAR qualified lighting generates 70 percent less heat than incandescent lighting with bulbs needing replacement approximately every seven years.

Ace Rosenstein is vice-president, Marketing and Business Development for Sea Gull Lighting LLC..