When renovating your kitchen there is so much going on. From picking out countertops to hardware, cabinets, flooring, appliances, sinks, faucets and everything in between. It is easy to see how lighting can be left without notice. When it comes to choosing the right lighting it is so vital for any room in your home. In this blog I am going to take you through the 4 main types of lighting you need and how to create this look without overdoing it. So let's get right into it! What are the 4 different types of lighting? You have four types of lighting you need in your rooms to create a natural glow and properly illuminate the entire space. Lets review them here: Task Lighting: This lighting is for exactly what its saying, your tasks. When choosing this lighting you want something that will illuminate the space that you work on. Having proper lighting across your countertop space and in pantries is crucial to see what your doing and what you have. Nothing is worse than trying to prep food in a kitchen that doesn't have enough lighting to see what you are doing or walking into a pantry and not being able to see the good you have available. Accent Lights: Accent lighting will provide depth in your space and create dimension in the room. Different accent lighting includes: recessed lights, adjustable fixtures and track lighting. Depending on what design your going for, you have multiple options that will create a gorgeous, dimensional space. Ambient: This lighting is meant to be gentle lighting that fills the room. It is the perfect base layer of lighting to start with. The original Latin meaning of ambient is "going round'". Your want this lighting to surround your room in a gentle feel that fills the room bouncing off the ceiling. This lighting can also include recessed lights, giving you two types of lighting in one. Decorative: My favorite layer of lighting! When it comes to decorative lighting my hair raises a bit in excitement. Decorative lighting can give your space the personal touch and interest it needs to really stand out to your guests. I have read tons of articles on lighting and my favorite description for decorative lighting by far is "architectural bling." This is exactly what this lighting is meant for. Tap into your inner designer and find the perfect chandelier, wall sconce or pendant lighting that fits your style and space. No one layer is going to work by standing alone. By mixing these four lighting requirements, you create a space that will work in any setting you are incorporating in that moment. It may seem like a lot fitting in four layers, but be assured that it is much easier than it seems. When going with Barrett & Sons Home Remodel for your next renovation, you are immediately connected with an interior designer to fully plan out your lighting so all you have to do is sit back and pick your favorite decorative lighting. The Best Lighting Strategies as seen on HGTV When choosing lighting you want something that draws people into the room. When I was researching lighting strategies I came across amazing advice I want to share with you here: Always think outside the kitchen: Today an open floor plan is seen throughout a lot of newer homes. When choosing the perfect lighting in your kitchen or any space your renovating, always remember to look outside of your space to see what rooms you can see from there. You don't need your lighting to match room to room, but you definitely want lighting that will flow together. For example, let's say I am changing the chandelier (my decorative light) in my kitchen but I can see my family room from there. I don't want to choose a chandelier that is completely different from the living rooms style. I want to make sure I choose a chandelier that stands out in my kitchen while complimenting the design I have in the living room. Pick pendants that pop: Small, undersized pendants are so out. Choosing big, bold pendants over your island that really make a design appeal. Two large pendants or one oversized pendant over your island and table will add the statement piece in your space you need. Trying translucent fixtures: Now, I know HGTV is saying to go fully translucent but hear me out on what I find the best: The idea of a translucent lens on the bottom while opaque at the top to hide the bulb is brilliant to me. Having a fully transparent fixture can sometimes be overwhelming. The light spreads everywhere, bulbs are visible and it can throw off the entire look you are going for. While going fully opaque can hide the light you need. When you mix opaque at the top and translucent at the bottom you are providing coverage for your bulbs while allowing the light to glow out of the bottom creating a decorative look with an ambient twist, covering two lightings needed in one. This design is obviously going to be different for each person. Depending on what design you are going for in your space, the fixture chosen will be decided on what will will flow well and what won't. Opt for different shapes: Traditionally you will see oval and circular fixtures designs. Try adding more interest into your space by adding in rectangular box-shaped or drum-shaped fixtures. Shedding light on artwork: Have you ever been to an art museum and see the sconces or recessed lighting they have above each art piece to make sure light is properly showcasing the beauty in the work? Why not have the same light shining on the art you love? Showcasing art around your home with specific lights that point at the artwork can really bring beauty and depth in your space. Try using recessed, adjustable low voltage lighting or sconces to highlight artwork. The lighting you will use will have a lot to do with where the lighting and artwork is located. Always make sure you re-adjust your lighting whenever moving artwork around your home. Each art piece is unique, so uniquely needs a specific light to showcase the beauty. Give a glow to cabinets: Open shelving and glass doors are really in for kitchen renovations right now, you want to make sure you are giving them proper lighting to give your kitchen depth and style. Putting track lighting along the top of your shelves can turn your boring open shelves into a visual interest point that creates depth and dimension. The same concept would be used to showcase your favorite china or pottery behind your glass doors. Soft lighting used in cabinets gives them a look that makes it more than just your "kitchen cabinets", but a statement piece. Include toe kick lights: Putting lights in under your cabinets can create an ambient look while providing a functional night light. It really creates a beautiful glow showing off the entire space. Hide under-counter lighting: When installing your next countertop for you renovation, leave room under the lip to add in lighting. This creates additional lighting while providing light to drawers so you can see everything clearly inside. Does the bulb matter? Of course it does! When choosing lighting the options are almost endless. What really matters is making sure you have all of your bases, or corners, covered. Lighting is so much more than just a light to see, it can completely change the look and feel of your space. Always remember when choosing fixtures, that is just the first step. Choose actual bulbs that work for that specific light and give you the tones you need in your room. A warm toned bulb can turn a gray wall into a yellow one while too bright of a tone could wash out the entire room. No matter the look you are going for, always make sure to never make the mistake of putting light choices on the back burner. It is such an important part of a renovation and takes time to get it right. Conclusion Four contacts of lighting is a MUST in any home renovation, no matter the space. Contact Barrett & Sons Home Remodel today to talk with a design specialist to see what will look best in your space.

When choosing the right style for your bathroom, one of the hardest concepts is getting it to all flow together. I have so many clients that have amazing ideas but get overwhelmed trying to put them all together. Choosing a bathroom renovation design you like with help turn that stress into a breeze. There are ten main type of designs with a lot of them being customizable to mix and match how you want it. These design types are: Transitional- A transitional bathroom rides the line between two different designs put together. The most popular mix and match for this design is traditional and contemporary. Within every design you have key features that make that design unique, the key features for a transitional bathroom are: *Light-hued stone used on the counters, floors, and/or walls *Pedestal bathtub *Undermount sink *Classic lighting choices such as chandeliers, wall sconces and drum pendants Of course styles are going to be different from person to person, but going with a transitional design you are able to choose two different designs that can walk together with sleek precision. Contemporary- A contemporary bathroom design embraces everything that is up to date in today's trends. With these design types you will find bathrooms that fully embrace the latest in technology, materials and trends that leave you with clean lines and minimal embellishment. Contemporary bathrooms are all about breaking the rules and going outside the ordinary. Key features used in a contemporary bathroom are: *Sleek vanities *Minimalist hardware *Glass shower enclosures *Slim - sleek profile mirrors *Statement tile pieces *Latest in technology Traditional- A traditional bathroom is timeless. As soon as you walk in you get a feeling of comfort with shimmering surfaces and high-end materials. A traditional bathroom is unlike a modern one in the way of not being afraid of decorative detail. It also steers away from a contemporary bathroom by leaving a feeling of classic elegance. Traditional key features are normally: *Wood/ furniture-style vanity *Antique-style lighting *A classic bathtub style such as a pedestal or claw-foot style *Wainscoting, wallpaper and/or decorative molding *Sophisticated stone floors, wall treatments or counters. Modern- A modern bathroom is extremely sleek and elegant, no wonder it is so commonly used and mixed with all the other designs. This design puts an emphasis on balanced lines with geometric shapes. Using warm, natural colors that give a cozy feeling when walking in. Common features in a modern styled bathroom are: *Freestanding bathtub *Frameless mirror *Clean, sleek materials such as wood, mahogany, brass and glass *Minimalist, streamlined lighting *Glass shower enclosure Always remember a modern bathroom is minimal. The core attention should be on the architecture incorporated throughout your bathroom, not decorative details. Your color palette should be leaning towards crisp, clean colors, subtle neutrals and black. Use the vibrant colors you want in your bath towels and plants to personalize the look to you. Farmhouse- Farmhouse style bathrooms balance a rustic style with a modern twist. Farmhouse styles use vintage material while using the modern-minimalistic look. When going for a farmhouse design think simple, honest and homestead. Key features are: *Wood flooring, trim or ceiling *Barn lighting *Sliding barn door *Wall paneling Rustic- Rustic bathrooms bring the gorgeous outdoors into your home. This design embraces the natural beauty by pairing rugged, warm materials to create a calm welcoming place. This design is commonly incorporated with a contemporary or farmhouse design. Key looks include: *wood or wood-looking vanity * Weathered-finished hardware such as copper, antiqued brass or rubbed bronze *Natural stone features *Copper bathtub, Japanese-style soaker tub or claw-foot *Warming details in lighting and rugs *Natural hues of stone and wood for wall colors Craftsman- Whenever I think of craftsman style my mind always leads to "Big wood". Obviously, that isn't all craftsman design, well it kinda is, but it is so much more than just wood. Craftsman is rich, medium to dark wood tones throughout that bring out the beauty in a quality workmanship design. When going with the Craftsman Design go towards natural, refined simple beauty features that creates a cozy atmosphere. Key features are: *Natural stone *Stained glass *Warm lighting *Medium to dark wood tones *Handcrafted tiles Mediterranean- A Mediterranean design reminds me of their dinner styled recipes, bright and vibrant while also being sophisticated and just all around lovely to look at. When going for this look you want to reach for natural materials such as wood, brick and stone to showcase an elegant, natural style that also brings in the elements of earth such as the sea and sky. Key features often include: *Colorful tile *Statement mirrors *Organic shapes *Whitewashed walls *Showcasing lighting Beach- A Beach designed bathroom can be so gorgeous and trendy, when done right. There is a fine line between trendy beach look vs blue bathroom look. Always make sure to include these stop key features to get the trendy look you are going for: *Bold tile *Spacious bathing area *Beachy, textured materials and elements *Bold, statement wallpaper *Coastal colors *Wall paneling Industrial- I love the industrial look in homes and bathrooms. With exposed piping and tough fixtures it's easy to find style in this design. When creating an industrial design you want to emphasize the beauty in the way things come together to work and use that as a showcase for your bathroom design. These common features are sure to make your industrial design an easy one to accomplish: *Raw materials (concrete, stainless steel, brick and cinder block) *Exposed piped *tough looking hardware and faucets *Glass and steel shower enclosure *Large industrial like sliding doors No matter the design you choose, always go with what will make you feel like you're entering your own personal spa each time you walk in. Make sure to speak with our design specialist to find the best design to suit your personal style. Designing your bathroom can be so much fun, so take the stress out of it and imagine your perfect bathroom then let us do the rest. Call us today for a complimentary in home bathroom renovation quote.