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Utilizing Accent Lighting in Your Home Remodel

With new offerings available on the market, decisions on what type, and where to use accent lighting has grown significantly more important over the last few years. Homeowners today are adding accent lighting to just about every phase of their home remodeling project with stunning results. Accent lighting when selected carefully can provide both functionality and beauty, whether it solves a safety issue on a staircase or lights up a work space on the countertop.  Learn about the three most common areas to add accent lights.

Utilizing Accent Lighting in Your Home Remodel

Stairways

If you want subtle lighting on your stairways to use when your normal lighting isn’t desirable, modern options can increase safety and create visual interest. The two most popular are LED strip lighting that goes just under the stair tread, and louvered lights mounted every few stairs. Both light types remain cool and are safe for homes with small kids and pets.

If you’re planning a large home remodeling project that will require an electrician and opening walls, consider the louvered option. They are subtle and come in many style options, with various features including motion sensors. LED strip lighting works well when you have an open stairway or when you’re not opening walls.

Halls

If you have small children who wander at night, and don’t like the look of the plug in night lights, you can have just the right amount of light with accent lighting. There are three main options: louvered lights just like discussed above for stairs, wall sconces and LED strip lighting. For minimal light, the louvered option is the best. If you want more light and to show your personal style, consider a few well-placed wall sconces. A modern option is to add LED strip lighting above crown molding. Each option adds a distinct look and feel to your hall.

Accent Lighting in Your Kitchen Remodel

The most common accent lighting in a kitchen is under-cabinet lighting. Accent lighting in a kitchen remodel can provide a soft glow or provide work light on the countertop. It is critical to work with a Kitchen and Bath Designer who really understands the relationship between the type of lighting and the type of countertop.  Different light options reflect in different, sometimes undesirable (think- a row of spots along your countertop) ways, and a good designer will know this way before they are installed. Under-cabinet lighting isn’t just for upper cabinets. Adding an toe kick light on your lower cabinets provides a nice touch and can highlight a beautiful hardwood floor in your kitchen. If you’re considering adding accent lighting to your cabinets, a qualified Kitchen and Bath Designer working for a  design-build company will ensure the cabinets are configured properly to hide the mechanics of the electrical devices, have you ever sat down at the kitchen table and looked up and seen the underside of the upper cabinets?  You probably will now!  Imagine how troublesome it would look if you could see a bunch of wires and contraptions on the bottom of the cabinet. Don’t let this happen to you. Like with most aspects of a kitchen remodel, the devil is in the details, and if one companies price is significantly lower than another’s, there is always a reason.

Accent lighting isn’t limited to halls, kitchens and stairways. If a design-build company is helping you with your home remodeling project, ask where they recommend adding lighting. It’s always cheaper to have an electrician out once to handle all the new wiring required, than to add more later. Today’s smart lighting systems can even be operated from your phone, wouldn’t it be nice to arrive at a strategically lit up home each night? G.M. Roth is a full-service design-build company that has been helping homeowners with all aspects of home remodeling, including accent lighting, for over 30 years. Call (603) 880-3761 to schedule your free in-home consultation in Southern New Hampshire or Massachusetts.

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