Light fixtures are one of the most important aesthetic elements that apartment dwellers can control. You may not be able to knock down walls or completely reconfigure the space, but you can transform the look and feel of your apartment with new apartment lighting fixtures. And whether you want cool apartment lighting or simply better ceiling lights for apartments, you can find what you need at Bulb Center.
But if you’ve never considered changing the fixtures in your apartment before, you’ve probably got a few important questions. For instance, what are some helpful small apartment lighting ideas? Should the lighting in your living room match the lighting in your bedroom? Finally, what are some of the most popular lighting fixtures to use in apartment buildings?
In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, so let’s get started!
What Lighting Is Best For An Apartment?
The best lighting for apartments varies from one space to the next. What works well for your friend’s apartment may not work well in your own home. Fortunately, there are a few factors that you can consider to help make the best decision for your space:
Room
Even if you live in a studio apartment, the space likely has delineations that have their own lighting requirements. For example, the lighting needed for the entryway will not be the same as the lighting needed for the kitchen, living room, or bedroom areas. This applies in nearly every apartment, regardless of the layout.
You generally want strong, clear lighting in your kitchen, living room, home office, and any bathroom. This means you might want to opt for ceiling lights, perhaps dome fixtures, that cast strong beams in all directions. Alternatively, for your hallways and entryway, you might prefer a softer, more ambient light that can be provided by wall sconces or even a floor lamp. Lastly, bedrooms should generally have softer, warmer lighting that is welcoming in the morning and muted at night.
Placement
You can’t hope to get the results you want unless you place light fixtures in the correct positions. For example, if you install an overhead light fixture in the corner of your living room, it will probably not provide the entire space with sufficient light. Moreover, it may look awkward and asymmetrical. For this reason, you should always consider the placement of your lights from a practical, aesthetic, and functional point of view.
Practically speaking, you’ll want to place fixtures in places that already have the correct wires in place. Otherwise, you may need to rewire certain areas of your apartment. If you’re a renter, this might be out of the question. So, work within the limitations of your space. Next, consider the aesthetic and functional elements of the light. Will a low-hanging ceiling light look good in your dining area? Does task lighting make the most sense for your work desk? Finally, which specific fixtures match your preferences and the style of your apartment? Answering these questions will help you find the perfect fixture(s) to meet all of your needs.
Temperature
“Temperature” is just another way to think about the color of your lighting. Unless you want to go for unique colors like purple or red, you’re going to pick lighting that lands somewhere on the spectrum between cool (light blue) to warm (yellow/orange). To help quantify this spectrum, you can generally expect warmer colors to fall somewhere between 2000K and 4000K, while cooler colors fall between 6000K and 8000K. You can go lower or higher (or in between) based on your needs, but using these averages can help you avoid picking a temperature that is too extreme for a residential space.
Generally, warmer lighting is seen as more “welcoming,” while cooler lighting can help make things more visible, reducing eye strain. Consequently, you should reserve warmer lighting for areas where you are more likely to host people, like your entryway and living room. Many people also prefer warmer lighting in bedrooms, as it can create a cozy, sleep-friendly atmosphere. Alternatively, cool lighting is better for your kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms, and home office. But ultimately, these are just recommendations; what works best for you and your apartment will come down to your personal preference and the unique features of your home.
Lumens
Lumens measure the amount of light emitted by a bulb. Certain bulb and fixture combinations can produce a lot of light, while others can produce relatively little light. It all depends on your requirements. Typically, larger rooms need one or more lights with high lumen counts (2000 lumens), while smaller rooms or rooms that are not frequently used may not need as much (1000 lumens or lower).
You’ll also want to consider the wattage of your light fixtures. While lumens are different than watts, the two are closely related. Watts measure the amount of power your lights consume. Typically, the more lumens you need, the more power you’ll need to use. However, you can save energy by opting for more efficient lighting options like LED.
Popular Apartment Light Fixture Styles
There are various light fixture styles that you can consider for your apartment. Some of the most popular styles include:
Dome
As the name implies, a dome fixture is a half circle that mounts directly to the ceiling. This offers a classic look and ample light distribution, making it a great choice for most rooms in your apartment.
Modern
Modern light fixtures encompass a wide range of aesthetics. That said, modern typically denotes minimalist designs, like a flat panel or round surface mount fixture.
Pendant
A pendant light is simply a light that hangs from the ceiling, typically with just one bulb at the end. Pendant fixtures come in all shapes and sizes, but they are generally best for dining areas or rooms with high ceilings.
Globe
The globe style is a type of pendant light that has a half-circle shade surrounding the light source. Like other pendants, these are great for dining areas, but keep in mind that many globe lights limit the scope of the light beam. This means that most globe-style fixtures are better for accent or task lighting.
Wall Sconce
Unlike the other styles listed thus far, the wall sconce is specifically designed to be installed on the wall (as opposed to the ceiling). Many wall sconces utilize traditional styles, like canopy fixtures, though they can also come in more modern styles.
Apartment Building Hallway Lighting
Hallway lights in your apartment and your apartment building should create a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment. Since hallways get a lot of foot traffic, it’s ideal to implement bright, low-maintenance light fixtures that make it easy to see at any time of day or night. LED wall sconces are a good choice, though overhead LED fixtures may provide better light spread if placed at regular intervals throughout each hallway.
Apartment Building Exterior Lighting
Outdoor light fixtures for apartment buildings require a bit more planning, as you’ll need to choose fixtures that are specifically designed to withstand the elements. Fortunately, there are plenty of great fixtures to choose from, including options for accent or ambient lighting. Either way, you’ll want to consider the function of your fixtures. In most cases, you’ll be placing outdoor fixtures near entrances or exits, so you’ll want to make sure they provide enough light to illuminate the surrounding area at night.
We hope you found this guide on apartment lighting fixtures both fun and informative! Are you interested in learning more about the best apartment light fixtures on the market? Are you ready to purchase high-quality light bulbs and light fixtures at affordable prices? If so, be sure to check out the products available at Bulb Center today!