When creating a lighting scheme for a home, there are thousands upon thousands of different styles and types of light fixtures to choose from. Some manufacturers even label light fixtures as ‘task,’ ‘general,’ ‘outdoor,’ ‘accent’ or ‘ambient.’ However, this leaves many homeowners stumped: what is ambient lighting and can I use an ambient light fixture for something other than its intended use?

What is Ambient Lighting?

Simply put, ambient lighting is similar to general lighting but with a twist. In the lighting world, ambient refers to a hidden source of light that still manages to create a nice, ambient glow in a room. However, the term ‘hidden’ refers to the bulb itself. For example, chandeliers often feature visible bulbs whereas enclosed, flush-mounted ceiling lights do not show the bulb itself.

Here’s where things get complicated: ambient lighting can also refer to light fixtures, such as a ceiling light (which is typically used for general lighting) that are on a dimmer switch. By dimming the ceiling light, it now gives off a more glow-like light rather than general light. As noted earlier, since some ceiling lights do not fully conceal the bulbs themselves, not all ceiling lights can also be considered ambient lighting. This can create a bit of confusion.

It should be noted that ambient lighting can also go by a number of additional terms including aesthetic lighting or low-key lighting.

What Are Some Examples of Ambient Light Fixtures and Where Should I Use Them?

Perhaps one of the best examples of ambient lighting is the wall sconce. Wall sconces typically conceal their bulbs rather well using various styles of shades. Furthermore, this light fixture produces an even, ambient glow that washes over the room rather than creating general overhead light.

Wall sconces are ideal for rooms such as hallways, as these spaces do not require an excessive amount of light but rather just enough light to pass through without bumping into something.

Another type of ambient light could include paper or plastic lanterns in which the entire bulb is concealed. These lanterns typically do not produce enough light to be used as a main light source, but they do produce an even glow that is typically expected and desired when looking to create and include ambient lighting in a light scheme.

Ideal locations for ambient lighting include the living room, bedroom, foyers, hallways and corridors. It should be noted that as always, ambient lighting should be mixed with other types of lighting to create an overall light scheme. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Explore more gorgeous wall sconces and hanging lanterns at Arcadian Lighting and create an ambiance that will warm your home!

Accent lighting is one of the areas of home lighting that often gets neglected. That being said, because it is so often forgotten, it tends to be a difficult area for homeowners to work with. That means choosing the right light fixtures can also be extremely difficult. Fortunately, with a few tips and tricks, anyone can conquer accent lighting for their home.

What is Accent Lighting?

In order to create accent lighting, one must first understand what it is. Simply put, accent lighting is lighting that focuses light on a feature, helping to visually accent it and draw attention to it. Accent light fixtures adds drama to the space, highlighting a specific area. It can be particularly helpful in creating a focal point in a room, especially if a natural focal point doesn’t occur.

Accent lighting may also go by a number of different terms including decorative lighting or highlight lighting.

What Light Fixtures Can Be Used For Accent Lighting?

One of the biggest hurdles you may face when trying to incorporate accent lighting into your lighting scheme is trying to figure out what light fixtures can be used for accent lighting.

Remember that accent lighting is meant to draw attention to an area or even to itself. That means light fixtures such as strategically placed recessed lights, up-lights such as wall sconces or torchieres, track lights and interior cabinet lights or under cabinet lights. These of course, are just a few examples. Even small accent lamps or candles can be used for accent lighting if properly placed.

Tips and Tricks for Accent Lighting

To start, when using accent lighting in your lighting scheme: focus on what you want to see. Use your chosen light fixtures to highlight or accent features of your home that you want to have attention drawn to.

Next, don’t be afraid to add colored bulbs to your accent light fixtures. Colored bulbs can really help draw attention to themselves, especially when strategically placed. Colored lighting looks great when combined with wall sconces or under cabinet lights.

Accent lighting also works great on a dimmer switch. By adding a dimmer switch, you create the ultimate control over your chosen accent light fixtures. That can help you change the room from dramatic to romantic and everything in between at the drop of a hat. This is a huge plus, especially when working with accent lighting.

Finally, don’t be afraid to let different light fixtures do double duty. A single light fixture can be used to serve a number of different purposes. For example, recessed lights can be used for general lighting. On a dimmer switch, they can also be used for ambient lighting. When placed over an architectural feature, such as a fireplace, they also become accent lighting. That’s three different types of lighting coming from a single light fixture.

In short, accent lighting does not have to be difficult. In fact, with a few tips in hand and an understanding of what accent lighting is, anyone can incorporate this type of lighting into their lighting scheme.  Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Are you ready to try out some accent lighting in your own home? Check out our selection of ceiling lights and make your home really shine.

Remodeling can be fun or it can be downright stressful. However, proper planning and budgeting can make a remodeling less stressful. Planning should always include researching tips and tricks on certain tasks in the home, such as creating a lighting scheme using different lighting fixtures. Here are a few tips and tricks for doing exactly that.

Consider the Lighting Formula

Few people are aware that an actual “lighting formula” exists for determining exactly how much light a space really needs. This light formula multiples the square footage (length times width of the room) by 1.5 to get the necessary wattage for a space. For example, a 12 foot by 12 foot room is 144 square feet. 144 multiplied by 1.5 equals 216, which is how many watts are necessary to light the room.

This could translate into one overhead ceiling fixture at 60 watts, two lamps at 40 watts each and 3 recessed lights at 25 watts each. It could also mean four recessed lights at 25 watts each and one floor lamp at 70 watts. Though the lighting formula itself is fixed, the combination of light fixtures used to achieve the total wattage is completely versatile.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

The lighting formula works for every room in the home, including the kitchen or bathroom. However, additional thought on placement and light fixture type is necessary to ensure these particular spaces are lit properly.

Both spaces often have a number of tasks that are performed in them, from doing your hair and makeup to cooking dinner. Therefore, light placement should reflect these tasks. For example, pendant lights could hang over the stove or island for preparing dinner; and large bathroom lights could be installed over the mirror to help highlight the person using the mirror.

Spacing Light Fixtures

The spacing for different light fixtures can vary greatly depending on the space itself as well as the size and type of the light fixture. However, certain light fixtures have set spacing requirements. This particularly applies to recessed lights, which should be a minimum of four feet apart but should not be any further than five feet apart. Too close can create harsh light, whereas too far apart may result in inadequate lighting.

For other light fixtures, such as lamps, the spacing should be done based on eye. Two lamps too close together may create harsh light and you may need to play around with their placement to determine the best location for each lamp when lighting the space.

Hire a Professional

Last but not least, it is never too late to hire a professional if you are struggling with creating a lighting scheme. If you’ve already purchased the light fixtures, you will typically only being paying for their time and consultation process. This means it generally won’t cost a huge chunk out of your remodeling budget. You may even be able to work with some lighting designers and bring them a floor plan of your space and have them map out where the best locations are for lights to be placed. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Want to add even more light to your space? Then put up a beautiful wall sconce or ceiling light for more luminosity!

At it’s peak, mid-century modern decor had an almost futuristic look to it. That appearance still holds true today thanks to the fluid curves and clean line designs that remain modern still to this day. These same design concepts can be applied to the light fixtures of the time, many of which are still being reproduced today. Here are a few tips and tricks for selecting different mid-century modern light fixtures for your home.

What is Defined as Mid-Century Modern?

The time frame for mid-century modern design occurred beginning in the late 1930s and through to the mid 1960s. Though the time period was several decades ago, the names associated with many of the more famous designs are still well-known, with many still being considered household names today.

What Should I Be Looking For?

If you’ve got some knowledge on the style, you’re likely looking for a specific light fixture by a specific designer. Keep in mind that originals in good condition tend to cost more than newly manufactured reproductions of those same light fixtures today.

Of course, not all of the mid-century modern designs out there feature ‘name brand’ designer names. In these instances, you’ll want to keep an eye out for a few key shapes and specific lines. Mid-century modern light fixtures typically feature clean lines. They can feature curves, but they are strictly no-frills with detailing.

Shapes of mid-century modern light fixtures are typically organic. This translates into soft, flowing curves. Ovular or circular shapes are ideal, especially for ceiling lights. Other shapes that are indicative of the style include hourglass, triangular cones, pillars, tubes, saucer shapes, teardrops and so forth. These are more common in wall sconces (hourglass, tubes or pillars) and pendant lights (triangular cones, saucers, tubes) so keep this in mind when seeking out this style.

The colors of these light fixtures tend to be few and far between. In other words, any fixture that has more than two or three colors is not likely to be deemed ‘mid-century modern.’ Stick to simple color palettes with three or fewer colors. In terms of finishes, brushed metals are common, as are brilliant white shades, pleating and under the right circumstances, high polished finishes.

Of course, this does not mean that mid-century modern light fixtures are lacking in color entirely. It is not uncommon for these fixtures to feature brilliant hues: cobalt blue, lime green, orange, mustard yellow, poppy red, vibrant white and so forth. These are often combined with various metal hues including brass or silver finishes such as nickel or chrome.

Mid-century modern light fixtures can add a great deal of ‘fun’ to any room. In a dining room, an unexpected large-scale saucer-shaped pendant light can be a great conversation starter. In a bedroom, hourglass wall sconces can add a romantic ambience, while pillar wall sconces in the living room can add some much needed extra lighting. Though the style is distinct, it is also very clean in terms of visual appearance, making it an easy style to incorporate into different interior design schemes. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

I hope you enjoyed our post on Mid-century modern light fixtures! For more futuristic looks, check out our selection at Arcadian Lighting!

No matter how a home is decorated, it is important to have proper lighting. This means using different light fixtures that allow you to create a well-lit setting. While this in itself is a tremendous job, you must also tackle the task of finding the right light fixtures to begin with. With home lighting, there are a number of trends out there, but perhaps none are as hot as the recent emergence of industrial styled light fixtures.

Industrial and Steampunk

The truth is, ‘industrial’ light fixtures are fixtures that can also be deemed as ‘steampunk.’ In fact, the creator may have even made the various fixtures with a steampunk theme in mind but retailers and marketers will deem the piece ‘industrial.’

Therefore, when seeking out industrial styled pieces, be sure to include ‘steampunk’ light fixtures in your search. You will find a wider array of styles, custom pieces and unique fixtures to suit your budget, your space and your overall decor scheme.

What Types of Industrial Light Fixtures Are Available?

Any light fixture you can think of, likely comes in some type of industrial styling. This includes lights for every room. You can easily find ceiling fixtures, pendant lights, chandeliers and lamps available in an industrial style. There are also bathroom lights, ceiling fans, hanging lanterns, different kitchen lights, outdoor lighting fixtures, track lights, wall sconces and more.

What Types of Materials Should I Be Looking For?

Generally speaking, industrial fixtures should be comprised of glass and metal finishes. However, this can also describe a number of other styles of light fixtures including modern, contemporary and even traditional.

When looking at fixtures, pay attention not only to the materials, but also to the overall style and how those materials are used. Look for hues such as oil rubbed bronze or a high polish chrome, rather than opting for brushed finishes. However, keep in mind that you can incorporate different styles together. For example, if you have a contemporary styled kitchen, then incorporating brushed nickel industrial style pendant light or other light fixtures can be just the right touch of industrial-chic in an otherwise contemporary space.

In short, it’s all about finding the right industrial fixture for your space, rather than finding the industrial fixture that displays an ‘exact style.’ Other great materials for the industrial style include polished copper or brass finishes, light fixtures that feature Fresnel lenses, bare bulbs (as in, no shades,) or reclaimed materials such as electrical insulators (which are a popular favorite among steampunk light fixtures,) old Mason jars, or traffic light pieces.

Industrial fixtures are all about incorporating an unexpected look into a home. When you enter a space, you’re typically bombarded by a traditional foyer light or a chandelier, or some another somewhat-expected light fixture. With industrial fixtures, you can still adequately like your space while maintaining a sense of unexpected style. Plus, the industrial style is typically clean and modern, allowing it to seamlessly blend into a number of different home decor styles from contemporary to traditional, modern to shabby chic and everything in between. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Explore more industrial lighting fixtures that give your home that ‘steampunk’ feel!

A plethora of different light fixtures exist in the world, from table lamps to floor lamps, ceiling fixtures to under cabinet lights, chandeliers to pendant lights and everything in between. When shopping for new light fixtures, this can make things a bit difficult. Things can get downright frustrating when newer terms are being brought into the picture, such as a pendalette instead of a pendant light or a chandelette instead of a chandelier. So, what exactly are these light fixtures?

Pendant Lights

Also known as drop lights or suspended lights, pendant lights are light fixtures that hang from the ceiling. These light fixtures tend to be relatively simple in overall shape or design, even if the details are intricate. Pendant lights feature a single light, rather than multiple lights.

There’s where the big difference between pendant lights and pendalettes come into play.

Pendalettes

Pendalettes tend to have multiple lights on a single light fixture, while still remaining modest in size. Typically, there are no more than three lights on a pendalette, which may even have the appearance similar to that of a small chandelier.

However, it is worth noting that pendalettes can also refer to more ornate single-light pendant lights. These light fixtures may be more elegant or feature more intricate detailing, a stark contrast to their more modest counterparts.

So keep this in mind next time you are bombarded by these two terms at the lighting store, and be sure to pay attention to the sizes!

Chandelier

A chandelier is among one of the easiest of all light fixtures to recognize. It doesn’t take a lighting expert to know what a chandelier is. These light fixtures feature multiple arms with multiple light sources to create adequate lighting in the space they are placed. Today, chandeliers are placed in every room of the house from the bedroom to the closet, the bathroom to the living room and everything in between.

When it comes to size, a chandelier is a minimum of twelve inches in diameter. These are relatively small and a chandelier can go up significantly in size.

So what exactly is a chandelette, then?

Chandelettes

A chandelette is a miniature version of a full scale chandelier. They can feature the exact same details, simply on a smaller size. The main difference between these two light fixtures is indeed, the size.

While a traditional full sized chandelier is a minimum of twelve inches in diameter, a chandelette is smaller, ranging from nine inches to twelve inches in diameter. Any larger and the light fixture becomes a chandelier. Any smaller, and the light fixture becomes a pendant light (or perhaps, a pendalette, depending on the manufacturer).

So the next time you’re out shopping for light fixtures, don’t be fooled by the pretty names. Always take note of the actual sizes and diameters of the pieces, focus on size, not on the name. Knowing what size you need will make it easier to look past the names and focus on the actual light fixtures themselves. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Test your knowledge by checking out our section of ceiling lights and decide on one that is best for you!

If you live in a studio apartment, chances are you’ve never thought twice about the lighting. After all, it’s such a small space, one, maybe two light fixtures should be sufficient, right? Well, maybe not so much. Here are a few tips and tricks for successfully lighting a studio apartment space.

Create Sections

Just as you have probably divided your space up for living and sleeping, you’ll want to divide your lighting up for that same purpose. Have designated light fixtures for each area that you use. For example, if you’ve got a small reading nook, then a wall sconce or a table lamp (if you can afford the space) is a must-have.

Wall sconces are great because they don’t take up valuable floor space, but getting them installed, especially if you rent, might be a difficulty. Keep in mind, however, that there are plug-in varieties which do not require any hardwiring.

Other options can include pendant lights, which can hang from the ceiling and provide lighting in a number of different areas. These of course, only work if you can get them hardwired into the space, though plug-in varieties do exist.

Larger Spaces Through Lighting

Good lighting can make a small, dark studio apartment actually appear visually larger. A ceiling light is the best way to do this, because it casts light onto all four walls and illuminates the space. However, you should never settle for just a ceiling light. As noted earlier, divide the space up accordingly. This will help make your space feel more comfortable and homey, as well as make it more functional.

Layer the Lighting

As noted earlier, you should have multiple sources of light no matter what size your space is. That being said, you should also work with layers of lighting to create a space that is properly lit.

The first layer is often easily achieved by your ceiling light. General lighting, or ambient lighting, as it is also referred to, is the light that illuminates the majority of the space. Unfortunately, this is often where many studio apartment dwellers’ lighting schemes end.

After having general lighting, you should incorporate task lighting. This is done by dividing the space up accordingly, as mentioned earlier. Have light fixtures for your different tasks, such as reading or watching TV. Another example: under cabinet lights make great task lighting, especially in a tight space!

Next, incorporate a few accent lights or decorative lights in your space. These don’t have to be large or overwhelming. Wall sconces or pendant lights can easily double as both task lighting and accent or decorative lighting. These fixtures should be used to create a sense of elegance and comfort in the space. Wall sconces can be used as accent lighting to highlight architectural features of the space, while a small decorative light fixture can be used purely for decoration, such as next to another table lamp on the bedside table.

Living in an apartment studio often means sacrifices. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice proper lighting! Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Why not add some remarkable hanging lanterns or kitchen lights to your studio apartment?

When it comes to trendy items, many people will tell you to stick that pocketbook back in your purse and walk away. After all, you’ll just end up replacing it in a few weeks or months, whenever the trend goes out of style. Fortunately with light fixtures, trends tend to last a bit longer than expected and certain pieces will never go out of style. That being said, yellow light fixtures are one trend that is on queue for the new year and a perfect way to add some fun to any space.

What to Look For

Fun pieces that are unexpected are key here when choosing light fixtures that are finished in a funky yellow hue. Any yellow will do, though mustard yellows, sunflower yellows and warm, sunshine yellows are fun, funky and easy to blend into a number of decor styles.

That being said, opt for dramatic pieces. A large, elegant chandelier that is done in a bold, unexpected yellow will be a perfect focal point for any room you use it in. Just don’t forget to choose a light fixture that fits your room in terms of size and styling.

If you’re not ready to invest in a bold yellow light fixture, it’s okay to incorporate this tone into your space in a more subdued way. Yellow bases for lamps or even yellow hued lamp shades are a great alternative.

Other great options include yellow pendant lights, unexpected funky yellow chandeliers or even yellow outdoor lanterns for your front porch. Welcome guests with an unexpected, modern look!

Can’t Find the Right Piece?

It happens, as yellow light fixtures can be hard to come by. That being said, keep in mind that you can actually paint certain light fixtures to suit your style. This is especially true of chandeliers. If you’ve found a fixture you love but it’s not quite the right hue, just paint it your chosen shade of yellow!

In order to paint a light fixture, you’ll need to follow a few steps. First, use tape over the sockets and any other areas that you don’t want to get paint onto. This is important for protecting the electrical portions of the light fixture.

Once this is done, you should lightly (very lightly) using a fine-grit sandpaper, sand the fixture to create a bit of roughing that will help the paint stick. You can either apply the paint by hand using a brush or you can use a can of spray paint.

However, before you paint, be sure to clean up all the dust and wipe the light fixture down so that it is free from debris. Apply the paint, allow it to dry and then spray it with a sealer. Finally, remove the tape and viola, you’ve got your own vibrant yellow light fixture.

Yellow light fixtures might not be here to stay for the long run, but they are super fun and can add a lot of whimsy to your space. Plus, there are plenty of yellow hues to blend into a number of home decor styles, making it easy to find the right shade. Besides, once you grow tired of the color, you can just repaint it. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Did our colorful post inspire you? Add a splash of yellow to your home with a bold lamp or funky chandelier, all on Arcadian Lighting!

Light fixtures are easy to swap out, so it’s a great idea to add a little trendy style to your space through new light fixtures, especially a chandelier. Though these pieces can get a bit pricey, if you’re willing, there are a number of reproductions of higher end designer pieces out there that can help you cut costs while still giving you the same look and feel as a high end designer light fixture. Glass globe chandeliers, as well as glass globe pendants and other fixtures that use this style, are becoming extremely trendy.

Cluster Chandeliers

An elegant, but simple design, cluster chandeliers are a great choice for anyone who is looking to incorporate this light fixture trend into their home. These ceiling fixtures feature several clear (or colored) glass globes with individual lights, hung in a cluster. The wires are typically tied together or cased in a straight tube to give it a more clean, streamlined appearance.

These light fixtures come in a variety of sizes with a number of bulbs per fixture, so you can easily find one for your space. Plus, cluster glass globe chandeliers fit into a number of styles from contemporary to modern, traditional to rustic and everything in between. Their basic shape and design give them a look that is elegant, simple and easily blended with other decor styles.

Other cluster style chandeliers will feature each bulb on an individual wire, but the wires won’t be decoratively grouped but rather each one hangs down from a single point at the base of the light fixture. Like the grouped pieces, these can also easily be incorporated into a number of styles.

Suspension Style Glass Globe Chandeliers

Another popular option, the suspension style glass globe chandelier is any ceiling lighting fixture where the glass globe lights are suspended from their wires but are suspended in a pattern. The pattern can be a straight line or a chaotic-appearing grouping. They come in any size or pattern and like many glass globe chandeliers, they can feature colored glass globes, though clear tends to be the most popular. Furthermore, as expected, these ceiling fixtures can easily blend into a number of styles from Victorian to minimalist.

Other Types of Glass Globe Light Fixtures

There are a plethora of other glass globe light fixtures available out there, so you can easily match your chosen chandelier to your pendant lights or other ceiling fixtures. Some manufacturers even produce lamps, track lights and wall sconces that feature glass globes for the shades.

Glass globe chandeliers are super trendy, especially in the coming year. That being said, investing in trendy light fixtures can get a bit pricey so don’t be afraid to opt for less expensive versions because these often feature the exact same look without the designer price tag. Since you can blend these ceiling fixtures with various decor styles, it’s easy for you to incorporate them into your space. Images 1 | 2| 3 | 4| 5

How you can change up your home in 2012 with great ideas on chandelier light fixtures! Find endless options with Arcadian Lighting.

Good interior design will go to waste if it’s not properly lit. That being said, it can be difficult to find all of the right light fixtures if you’re not even sure what a proper lighting scheme is to begin with. This guide will help you determine what light fixtures are necessary based on the types of lighting that every room should have.

General Lighting

It is inevitable that every room will have general lighting, which is typically seen as a general overhead ceiling light. This works for most rooms, as ceiling lights can be used in bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, foyers, dining rooms and kitchens. However, the vast majority of living rooms do not have an overhead light fixture.

If an overhead ceiling light is not present, other fixtures must compensate for the lack of the overhead light.

Task Lighting

The secondary source of light in a room should be some type of task lighting. In a kitchen, this often means pendant lights, recessed lights, track lights, or under cabinet lights. In a bedroom, living room or home office, this means light fixtures such as table lamps or desk lamps.

In short, task lights are easy to incorporate into a lighting scheme because they are lights you would use to complete tasks: reading on the sofa, paperwork on your office desk or chopping vegetables on the countertop.

Ambient Lighting

Among the most commonly forgotten part of a good lighting scheme is the use of ambient lighting. Ambient lighting is lighting that is used to produce a warm glow in the room. Ambient lighting can be done using a number of light fixtures, which can make it tricky.

For example, light fixtures that can produce ambient light include ceiling lights, recessed lights, wall sconces, track lights, and so forth.

Accent Lighting

Another commonly forgotten portion of a good lighting scheme: accent lighting. Fortunately, accent lighting is easy to create. In short, this type of light is meant to accent a specific element of the home. This could mean an architectural element, such as an arched doorway or a fireplace. It could also mean a piece of artwork such as a painting or even a sculptural piece.

Accent lighting should be dramatic. It should draw attention to an area, to highlight it.

Decorative Lighting

Last but not least, decorative lighting serves no purpose other than to be decorative. It is a part of the overall design scheme of the room, rather than part of the lighting scheme. Despite this, decorative light fixtures still play an important role in interior design and in the lighting world.

Decorative lighting may not give off any useable light, but draw attention to themselves or make a dramatic statement. Decorative lighting can also refer to the light fixture itself, such as an overly ornate chandelier or pair of wall sconces that provide little light and are there rather for looks than for adequate lighting. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Hopefully this guide helps you create amazing lighting schemes for every room in your home. Apply these tips to enhance your living spaces and explore other lighting fixture options!

Paper lanterns are inexpensive and extremely versatile. Paper lanterns are essentially hanging lanterns that are covered in a thin tissue paper. They are commonly used in Asian countries but you don’t only have to use them in a thematic setting! Just like a ceiling light, a paper lantern can be used in almost any room as long as it is transformed into the right style.

A great idea is to enhance the simple structure of a paper lantern by adding details to it. For instance, add more tissue paper:

This lantern was simply made by gluing pieces of scrunched up tissue paper to the exterior of the hanging lantern. Another take on that paper lantern is this:

Speaking of scrunched up paper. If you bake a lot you might like this paper lantern:

Look at what it is enhanced with! Yes, those are cupcake liners! Did you know that you can also do this with coffee filters as well? Consider using bleached or unbleached filters and coloring the very ends with a marker or paint for an added touch of color.

Paper lanterns are great for a kid’s room because of their low cost and casual styling. This lighting fixture is easily transformed to “wow” any child. Consider modifying your lantern into a flying animal…

…or a creature from the sea:

What about thinking outside of the “round” ball that the paper lantern seems to be famous for? Can you believe this…

…was created from a paper lantern? Yes, a basic lantern…and paper that was cut into circles.

If you are trying to find paper lanterns to create similar projects, consider visiting your local dollar store, a superstore or a party store. Shop around because you will find different sizes, styles and price points.

To complete your masterpiece you might need a light as well. The hanging light can be found in similar stores and will fit inside the paper lantern, and act as the pendant that will suspend from the ceiling. You can also hang the lantern without the light. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Ready to build your own? Check out our large array of pendant lights to get some inspiration on your next project.

Contemporary is a popular style for today’s families; it’s modern and elegant without being too overwhelming. Despite its popularity and ease of use in the everyday home, it can be difficult finding the right light fixtures that fit the contemporary style. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to find the right contemporary light fixtures for your space.

Pay Attention to Finish

The type of finish on the light fixture is extremely important. Contemporary light fixtures typically do not have oil rubbed bronze finishes or brass finishes. They should be more silver in color: brushed nickel, polished chrome and so forth. Avoid any light fixtures that use a brass, gold or bronze finish, as these are not indicative of the contemporary style.

Pay Attention to the Lines

Aside from finish, it is also important to pay attention to the lines of the light fixture. Contemporary elements feature clean lines and gentle curvature. Lines that are too geometric are no longer contemporary, but rather considered modern. Look for clean lines and shapes: spheres, gentle ovular curves, and sleek lines. Ragged lines need not apply, as they’ll stick out like a sore thumb in a contemporary space.

Drum Shades

The truth is, when you’re struggling to find the right contemporary light fixtures for your space, you can never go wrong with a drum shade! Drum shades are the ultimate look for contemporary lighting. Today you can find just about anything with a drum shade from flush mounted ceiling lights to chandeliers, table lamps to floor lamps and everything in between.

Crystal Fixtures

Light fixtures that feature crystal accenting are also a great choice for contemporary spaces, especially if you are looking to achieve a contemporary chic space. Crystal is a naturally clear material, so it blends well into the contemporary style. It can also be shaped or cut into different sizes and looks, so that you can find the right crystal light fixture for your space.

Mix and Match

Contemporary is a clean style, so you can easily mix different styles of light fixtures in with your contemporary space. This is a great idea if you’re struggling to find the right light fixtures for your space.

Traditional lamp bases with the classic urn shape pair well with a drum shade, giving the look and feel of contemporary with less stress. If your lamps’ bases are not already black, white or silver, consider painting them in one of these hues to make them feel even more contemporary. You can even consider painting them a bright hue to give your space a bright pop of color, but be wary and try not to overdo things.

In the end, you may be surprised that it’s easier done than said to find the right contemporary light fixtures for your space. Simple tricks like looking for clean lines and shapes can make all the difference.

To complete your contemporary design, add some sleek and stylish pendant lights to your home! Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5