Trends come and go and lighting is no exception. Light fixtures that are hot today will be completely out in a few weeks, or years, depending on the trend. That being said, wall sconces have come and gone quite a few times in the last few decades. Fortunately, they’re back again and they may be here to stay, or so it seems. Here’s the low down on trendy wall sconces for 2012 and how you can incorporate them into your home.

What to Look For in a Wall Sconce and Where to Find Them

The key thing to remember when it comes to wall sconces is simply this: the wall sconce itself is the trend. That means that you can choose a style that suits your home while still being trendy because the wall sconces as a light fixture are a trend, not any specific style. That being said, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any trends regarding wall sconces! If you’re looking for a double-whammy in terms of trends, you may want to consider using a crystal wall sconce or wall sconces with an industrial or rustic feel. Other trends for this light fixture include clean, contemporary looks, geometric lines, Moroccan inspired wall sconces, and unique Victorian-inspired candelabra style wall sconces painted in a single unique hue such as turquoise or poppy red.

Where to Use Wall Sconces in the Home

Of course, just because you know which wall sconces you want for your space, doesn’t mean you’re completely sure as to where to place them. That being said, you may be surprised to find that wall sconces can go just about anywhere in the home.

In the bathroom, you can use these light fixtures to flank the mirror. This is great for adding some much-needed task lighting to the space and also helping reduce shadowing on the face, which is ideal for putting on makeup. In the bathroom, they can also be used for additional general lighting if needed.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, wall lamps can be used to replace table lamps. This is especially true if you’ve got a tight bedroom space currently and need to free up some table space for other, more important items, such as books or a jewelry box. This same concept can be applied to a living room, family room or den space. If your home has limited space, wall sconce can help free up valuable floor space or table space to create a more livable space.

Of course, the options don’t just stop there. You can use wall sconces as accent lighting to flank a fireplace or a large mirror. You can also use wall sconces to line a hallway to add much needed general lighting, just as you can use them for lining a dining room or a foyer.

The key with wall sconces is to get creative. The fixtures themselves are the trend, but how you use them in your space is entirely up to you. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Are you ready to experiment with the newest and most trendiest wall sconces in 2012? Browse through a large collection of wall sconces today and find the right lighting fixture for you!

Many people assume that a lamp is a lamp, but there are a surprising number of different types of lamps out there. These light fixtures serve a variety of purposes, despite the fact that they are all classified as a single type of fixture. Here are the basics of lamps, the different varieties and their purposes so that you can be sure you’re choosing the right lamps for your space.

Lamps: “Portable Lighting”

All lamps are defined as “portable lighting.” This is because these are light fixtures that you can pick up and move around on a whim if needed. For example, if you rearrange your living room, you can move your table lamps or floor lamps around, as well as any other plug-in light fixtures, but you cannot move around any hard-wired light fixtures such as recessed lights or ceiling lights.

Note: typically interior designers and other lighting professionals refer to lamps as “portables.”

That being said, despite all being categorized as the same item, each of these items are unique in their purpose and overall design. For example, table lamps and floor lamps are both lamps but they do feature the same style. One is meant to sit on the floor and features a taller base to give it more height than a table lamp. However, floor lamps and torchieres are the same in style but are still two different types of lamps.

Different Types of Lamps

Let’s start with the basics. There are two types of “floor lamps.” It can be difficult to understand but all torchieres are a type of floor lamp, though not all floor lamps can be considered torchieres. These particular lights are the lamps that direct light upward toward the ceiling. Floor lamps that diffuse light or direct light downward are simply “floor lamps” and not “torchieres.”

Next, table lamps, desk lamps, piano lamps and every other variety of lamp all typically serve a specific purpose. Table lamps can be used for additional ambient lighting in a room, but they can also be used for various tasks. Meanwhile, lamps such as desk lamps or piano lamps are made for specific tasks such as working at your desk or playing the piano.

Finally, there are also armed lamps. Armed lamps are any of the above that feature a moveable arm in which you can move around to direct light where it is needed without having to move the base of the light fixture. These particular lamps come in a variety of styles from table lamps to large floor lamps, desk or wall lamps.

Despite popular misconceptions, not all lamps are created equal. Though they are all categorized as ‘lamps,’ there are actually a number of different sub categories and this is just looking at the fixtures themselves. Add in the different styles of shades, light bulbs and so forth and you could spend months learning about all the different terms associated with portable lighting. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Now that you have a better understanding of lamps, are you ready to enhance your home decor? Don’t forgot to grab one of our great pendant lights to help compliment your lamp choice.

Some of the most beautiful homes look their best at night, thanks to their evening landscape lighting. Many people are stumped as to how to achieve a similar look on their own home, especially when it comes to buying the right light fixtures and where to place them. Here are a few tips and tricks for night lighting a landscape.

Work at Night

This is a great tip for those looking to save a bit of money and do their own outdoor night lighting on their landscaping. The best time to experiment with night time lighting is to turn on your outdoor lighting fixtures at night. You can even “pre plan” using flash lights to give yourself an idea of what the space might look like once you’ve installed the actual light fixtures.

Remember the Different Effects

A professional lighting designer knows that even outdoor night lighting requires a number of different lighting types: accent, uplighting, downlighting, silhouetting, grazing, moonlighting and shadowing. You don’t necessarily have to use all of these on a single home, but using multiple styles and light fixtures can help pack a punch on an otherwise bland night lighting scheme.

Accenting is used to highlight specific elements, such as a bird bath or a statue. Uplighting is when light fixtures are placed so that the light shines upward onto the item, whereas downlighting is the exact opposite: light fixtures are placed overhead to shine light downward.

Silhouetting uses light fixtures placed behind an item so that when turned on, there is a silhouette. Shadowing is when multiple light fixtures are arranged so as to create a shadow onto a wall such as a fence or onto the home itself using a wall sconce. Finally, grazing is when light is used to show texture while moonlighting is a technique that creates a gentle glow similar to that of the moon.

Considerations for Light Fixtures

When choosing light fixtures for your outdoor lighting scheme, know what you want to achieve before you purchase the actual fixtures. For example, if you’re going to do a lot of silhouetting with your bushes, you’ll want to purchase light fixtures for exactly that purpose.

Other questions to ask include: are your fixtures sturdy? Will they withstand the elements of your specific region? Are they U.L. wet listed or damp listed? Can you actually install the light fixtures yourself or will you need to hire the help of a professional? You may find that while you can plan everything and make all the purchases, actually installing the light fixtures, like wall lamps, may prove to be a bit more daunting than you had anticipated. It is better to be safe than sorry, so don’t skimp on the help if you need it!

Maintenance

Finally, consider maintenance for these fixtures. Light fixtures located on the ground will need to be monitored for debris build-up, as they can potentially catch fire if certain items, such as leaves or twigs, build up over top.

You should routinely clean your fixtures, wipe off the dirt and debris from the shades to ensure that you are getting maximum light and the most bang for your buck.

For wiring that is exposed, be sure to regularly check the wiring to ensure it has not become compromised or that the casing has not been worn away or chewed off by animals and other pests. Always make replacements immediately to avoid additional damage, such as a fire. Images  1| 2 | 3| 4| 5

Start planning your outdoor lighting fixtures today to enjoy your home by day and by night!

Certain light fixtures are a necessity in the home. However, many homeowners are looking for ways to cut costs or just be ‘greener’ and more eco-friendly while also reducing their electricity consumption. Daylighting is one option that could do it all: save money, reduce electricity consumption and allow the homeowner to be more eco-friendly; all without having to install additional or new light fixtures.

What Is Daylighting?

Daylighting is an environmentally friendly way of lighting a space using natural day light rather than a number of different light fixtures. It specifically brings indirect natural light into a large or small space, reducing the need for electrical ceiling fixtures or other sources of artificial light, such as lamps or track lights.

How Do I Use The Daylighting Technique In My Own Home?

Most people hear the term ‘daylighting’ and assume it simply means installing skylights in the ceiling. However, skylights are just one small portion of daylighting. Other ways to bring natural light into a space in the daylighting technique include light reflectors, sun shades, sun screens and light shelves, all of which work together to direct or reflect additional natural light into a space during the day.

Light shelves are reflective surfaces that are placed along a wall on the interior of the building. Their goal is to reflect additional natural light upward around the building; thus producing additional natural light for the interior space in the same way that lamps and mirrors work together in the evening to produce additional artificial light into the space. Light reflectors work in a similar fashion, except they are installed outdoors and aimed in a way so that light is directed into the building rather than just being wasted. Meanwhile, sunscreens and sunshades work to control heat and glare while still maintaining maximum allowance of daylight into the space.

Daylighting should be combined with a combination or series of light fixtures to maintain an even amount of light throughout the entire day. A lighting professional can work with the homeowner (or perhaps, business owner) to create an electrical system in which artificial sources of light (lamps, track lights, ceiling fixtures and so forth) turn on and adjust throughout the day as the amount of daylight available changes. An electrical system can be especially beneficial during rainy, cloudy or dark wintery days when less natural light is readily available.

These electrical systems can even be programed to work on a timed schedule. For example, in the early hours of the day, more light fixtures may be in use and as the day goes on, the electrical system shuts these light fixtures off in favor of natural daylight. As noted earlier, some electrical systems are equipped with sensors and may be able to alter their timed schedule if the lighting is inadequate and additional lighting is needed.

Daylighting is a great way to save money and be eco-friendly, so it’s a great option for homeowners and business owners alike. It can also be easily taken advantage of during a remodel or even installed in an existing space for a modest cost. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Looking for greener ways to incorporate lighting into your home? Check our wonderful inventory of eco-friendly light fixtures today!

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!