The 5 Biggest Light Fixture Myths

The 5 Biggest Light Fixture Myths

When it comes to adding more illumination into an interior or exterior design, there are several lies that both professionals and non-professionals will tell you. Even just doing a quick Internet search, you may come across a plethora of mixed opinions and so-called facts regarding what to do or what to avoid when it comes to lighting.

To help clear up any misunderstandings or lies associated with light fixtures, let’s begin with five common myths.

1. Exterior lights are completely optional and unnecessary.

Of course, when you move into a new home – especially one that is not yet equipped with optimal light – the first thing you’re going to do is opt for interior lighting. Chances are, you’ll be spending most of your time indoors.

That said, many presume that exterior lighting isn’t as important or even completely overrated, and not to mention, more expensive than only opting for interior lighting. Thus, many fail to light up their exterior spaces altogether.

Truth: Did you know that 80 percent of lighting worldwide is used to light up the exteriors of businesses and other public spaces? That’s right, a majority of lights are used outdoors. There’s reasons for that: so people can see where they’re walking, for safety and security reasons, to imply to others that they are welcome, and so on.

Utilizing exterior lighting for your own home or business is crucial. Not only does this mean you can spend more time outdoors, this also means you have a reduced chance of burglaries and have a space that is more positively viewed by others in terms of safety and trustworthiness.

In fact, there are many other reasons you should install exterior lighting.

2. You can never have too much lighting.

For many, light represents freedom, spaciousness, safety, security, and happiness. A majority of folks admit that they’d rather have a space that is too bright over one that is too dark. It makes sense, right? Nobody wants to live in a space or walk into a store that is too dark to see what they’re doing or where they’re going.

Based on the latter belief, some try to opt for more illumination when they feel that their space isn’t quite up-to-par.

Truth: As with anything, there is such as thing as too much. In design, balance is key. While it is better to have more lighting necessary, what isn’t good is having so much illumination that it completely ruins a space.

Too much lighting can have poor effects on not just the design but also on the eyes on a general level. Eye strain, headaches, tiredness or even too much alertness, difficulty sleeping, and a variety of other eye issues and symptoms can come about from too much lighting.

Not sure if your home’s lighting is adequate enough or even too much? You can find out here.

3. Buying light fixtures is the easiest part of designing an 

interior space.

When it comes to interior (or even exterior) design, you have to weigh in many factors: the color scheme, texture, furnishings, era and style of the room, intent of the space, and so on and so forth. For some, design comes easy to them. For others, design is one of the hardest things they will even get themselves involved in.

However, when it comes to light fixtures, many think this is the easiest part of design along with decorating the space. Maybe this is because they enjoy picking out fixtures and décor the most, or maybe it’s because they don’t see these as being the most significant aspects of a design, leading them to believe that stuff like these are easy.

Truth: Picking out the right light fixtures isn’t as easy as it can seem. There are still “rules” and suggestions at hand when picking out the best lights for your space. Making it even more difficult, some spaces will require different types, amounts, and sizes of light fixtures. Different bulbs and bulb colors will also need to be kept in mind.

Even top designers and lighting experts have their fair share of troubles when it comes to lighting. It is far too easy to make lighting mistakes, and contrary to popular belief, lighting can actually be one the most important parts of a design which is why it can be perceived as difficult at times to make it just right.

While not considered the simplest part of a design for some, having the right type of lighting in a room can be very rewarding when done correctly. Plus, there are many professionals out there to help you if you ever get lost.

4. Ambient lighting is always the most important.

Before diving into this light fixture lie, let’s recap on what accent lighting is. Ambient lighting is considered “overall lighting.” It’s typically want one has in a living room or kitchen to provide plenty of lighting in general.

It can be understood why ambient lighting is so important, because it is used on a broad level and for many different reasons: to see where one is walking, to view all aspects of an interior design, and so on.

Truth: Ambient lighting can be the most important part of a design but not every design and not always when used alone. Sometimes ambient lighting is less important than its accent lighting and/or tasking lighting counterparts depending on the room and other aspects of the design.

One thing many fail to do is provide illumination that goes beyond just ambient lighting. Yes, ambient lighting is potent, but nothing is more important than providing variation in the lighting a space offers.

Choosing to add task lighting such as pendant lights or sign lights is crucial, for say, and office space, and adding accent lighting can be really important for an exterior design.

5. Homes should be filled with warmer, less bright lighting.

Walk into a grocery store, and what do you notice? Very bright lighting. Most would agree that it’s not what they would imagine their home to have because bright lighting can be exhausting after a while.

However, to many, the latter translates into a need to have only warm lighting in their home, lights that are not as bright or as natural: something cozy. Think about this for a minute: is this what you truly want?

Truth: While warmer lighting can be important for bedrooms and other rooms where relaxation is a must, adding a variation of warmer and more natural lights is crucial in a home.

As an example, one wouldn’t want – or would only want – warmer, yellow-toned lighting in a kitchen where they need to be alert to prep, cook, and serve food for friends and family.

And for a casual living or family room where people go to wind down after a busy day, some may prefer warmer lighting (with brighter light options as well for get-togethers). Some may even enjoy having a brighter task light or lamp in their space for reading or other tasks where they need to better concentrate and see better.

Conclusion

It’s clear to see that there are multiple lies surfacing around the web and from mouth-to-mouth regarding what illumination is, will, or should be. However, providing balance and variation with the light fixtures you choose is crucial, that is, as long as it is strategically fit with the design and purpose of a space.

But before you make your next big lighting mistake, check out Cocoweb.com for advice, stylish barn lights, pretty picture lights, and a supply of other great fixtures for your interior or exterior space.