About new homes

Lighting Adds Appeal and Enjoyment to Your New Home

When you buy a new home, you have an ideal opportunity to be creative with lighting. Today, lighting does much more than simply help you live and work in your home. It can be an integral part of interior design that will enhance the beauty of your home, give focus to a room, highlight your favourite possessions, create moods of intimacy or make rooms feel bigger.

Depending on the home, your builder may offer standard and upgrade lighting packages, or you may be given a lighting allowance so you can choose everything from scratch. In either case, the builder will often refer you to their chosen supplier where you can work with a lighting expert to make your selections. This is a great opportunity to explore what is available and get professional advice to help bring out the best in your new home. Here are a few key considerations for lighting your home.
  • Ambient lighting is general space lighting that provides overall illumination and defines a room or area.

  • Accent lighting provides dramatic interest by drawing attention to selected objects or architectural features in your home.

  • Task lighting is light to work by. It must be tailored to the job and placed correctly to avoid shadows and eye strain.

  • Lighting controls lets you control the combination and intensity of lights.
Most areas in your new home will benefit from a combination of all three types of lighting. Rooms today often serve a number of different functions; flexible lighting arrangements allow you to enjoy different activities and create different moods in the same area.

Tips from the Experts
  • Wall sconces expand a room visually by providing uplight and ambient light, and complement recessed downlighting.

  • Use mini-pendants (small hanging lamps) to accent kitchen islands.

  • Show off your artwork with recessed downlights or track fixtures, aimed at a 30° angle to prevent glare.

  • Illuminate bookcases and shelves with directed ceiling lights placed 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) from the front of the shelf.

  • Highlighting a rug on the floor with downlighting will make the room feel cozier.

  • Use a series of smaller lamps in the stairwell as an alternative to a single large hanging lamp.

  • Avoid illuminating mirrors or shiny surfaces, or you may end up with reflected glare.

A good example is the kitchen which often serves as a central area for meals, family activities and social gatherings. Consider a combination of track or recessed lights in the ceiling for overall lighting; task lighting over the kitchen table and at the counter, sink and stove so you can work safely, and accent lights, for instance in glass-front cupboards. By having the lights on separate circuits and using dimmers, you have full control and can adjust the lights to suit any activity or occasion. The marketplace offers an incredible selection of lighting options for all areas of the home. Be imaginative as you think about the features of your new home, your furniture and your special belongings.
Outdoor lighting
Lighting can make a big difference to the exterior appearance of your home. It can enhance the appeal of the entrance at night, highlight architectural design features and display your landscaping to full advantage. Even if you don't have a detailed landscaping plan, it is a good idea to plan for your outdoor wiring and lighting needs before your home is built.

There are many other aspects of lighting that you will want to know about, such as safety, security, energy efficiency and automation. Talk with your builder, salesperson or a lighting expert. They can explain what's available and help you determine your best options.

A brand new home—there's no place like it.

back to About new homes

© 2001 Canadian Home Builders' Association