Trends and Tips from Westinghouse Lighting

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Brighten up your home both indoors and out with this helpful info from Westinghouse Lighting.

You can reduce your energy bill up to $60 a year just by replacing the 5 most frequently used incandescent lamps in your home with CFLs. You will get the same light output at a fraction of the operating cost.
** Taken from the www.energy.gov website.

Keep fixtures looking brand new with Extend-A-Finish Crystal and Fixture Cleaner from Westinghouse. Coming in a convenient spray bottle, this ammonia free solution cleans with out harming the metal framework or finish.

For optimum air circulation and efficiency ceiling fan blades should be hung 8-9 feet from the floor. In homes with high ceilings adjust the fan's position by using a downrod.

Fabric Shades play an important role on a chandelier. Their material drastically softens the glare from bare light bulbs, creating a warm environment within a room. They also beautifully accessorize the style of the chandelier.

A fixture's glass significantly affects the overall design. For example, hammered glass lends a weathered, old fashioned feel to a fixture while alabaster evokes modern high end fashion.

For an easy and dramatic way to change the look of a room simply reposition the floor lamps. Remember to keep them behind furniture and in the corners so they don't get in the way of foot traffic.

Sconces can create intimate living space by brightening the border of a room. They should mounted no less than 5-6 feet from the floor, higher in rooms with taller ceilings.

Mini-pendants provide an excellent, decorative light source for kitchen islands. To achieve the ideal illumination, position them 30-40 inches from the surface of the island.

When hanging a chandelier, center it in the middle of the room at least 48 inches from each wall. For adequate head room over a dining room table, make sure the chandelier is at least 12 inches narrower than the table and 30-34 inches above it.

Position floor and table lamps to create a triangle of light that eliminates undesirable, shadowy nooks in sitting areas. Remember to keep lamp shades just below eye level to avoid glare.

A fixture's appeal is heightened by the type of glass used to diffuse the light. Frosted glass softens the light for an overall glowing effect that aptly complements fixtures with dark finishes.

Small living rooms with light-colored surfaces require less ambient light than larger rooms or those with dark paint and wood tones. Wall mounted fixtures in various sizes are the perfect way to create ambient light.

For a spacious effect, use fixtures to define individual areas in the kitchen. Create a cozy breakfast nook with a hanging fixture or outline a work station with an island pendant.

Wall mount fixtures are one of the biggest trends in lighting today. While serving as pieces of artwork adorning the walls they also provide needed illumination.

Warm, welcoming light in your foyer sets the mood for your entire home. You can install a flush mount ceiling fixture or hang a chandelier. Just remember to allow enough space between the bottom of the fixture and the top of the door.

When hanging a chandelier from a standard 8 ft. ceiling, suspend it at least 6 ft. above the floor. Chandeliers hung from cathedral ceilings should be suspended 3 inches higher for every additional foot over the standard 8 ft. ceiling height.

Once only found in dining rooms, chandeliers are making a big comeback. They are a beautiful and creative solution to the lighting needs of bedrooms, hallways, and even bathrooms.

Painted finishes are a very popular trend in lighting today. The two toned finish effects provide rich dimension and versatility allowing fixtures to blend harmoniously with a range of decor.

In order to properly illuminate the bathroom, three light sources are recommended: eye-level, such as wall mount fixtures or sconces; overhead, such as pendants or chandeliers; and night lights.

Wattage measures the amount of energy a light bulb consumes, not its brightness. For increased brightness choose a bulb with higher lumens.

Soft metal finishes, such as brushed nickel and pewter, continue to increase in popularity. The subtle quality of silver metals does not overwhelm a room's design, but provides a clean, understated elegance.

Adding a dimmer to your lighting system puts you in control of the light level. Effortlessly transform your room from bright and cheerful to warm and intimate.

When choosing a single exterior fixture for an entranceway, make sure its length is 1/3 the total height of the doorway.

Keep in mind that from 50 feet away, post top lanterns will appear to be half their actual size. If you are not certain about the size, remember that in this case, bigger is better.

When placing two wall lanterns on either side of an entryway, make sure their length is ¼ the total height of the doorway. They should be mounted just above eye level for optimum illumination.

Consider reducing the total wattage of your outdoor bulbs from 100 to 50 watts to eliminate "light pollution". Effective outdoor lighting is not overly bright. It is well placed.

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