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May 28
Lights, Camera, Closet! (Decorati, May 21, 2010) Closet “living spaces” are one of the most important rooms in the home to play with light and its effects. A good closet lighting plan balances the practical functions, as well as the emotional elements. Does the light capture the true color of your clothing? Does it compliment your face and body? What mood and emotion does it evoke – calm, soothing, luxurious, glamorous or chaotic? Below are different types of closet lighting and a summary of how you can use each one effectively to create a functional and unique lighting design.  Natural Lighting – The most natural light source and the best complement to your closet is sun light. Not only does the room and your clothes look better when it is bathed with warm natural light, but it makes you look better, too. However, protect yourself and your clothes from fading by installing protective window films to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. These films block 99% of UV rays, reduce up to 78% of the sun’s heat, and reduce 35% of heat loss in the winter. General Lighting – The key to good general lighting is making it inconspicuous. It is merely the backdrop for the closet that works in conjunction with the other lighting in the room. Whether the source is from overhead fixtures, recessed lights behind cabinetry or mirrors, wall sconces or track lights, the light should reflect and diffuse off of the walls to give an overall glow. For more flexibility with the brightness in the room, incorporate a dimmable feature. Light-up Rods – Light-up LED Rods have just recently hit the market, and can add so much value to your closet. Perfect for applications with or without doors, these rods allow more visibility for your hanging clothing. LEDs are extremely energy efficient, long lasting, and generate very little heat, which is good news for your clothing. Recessed In-cabinetry Lighting – In- and Under-cabinetry lighting is very low maintenance lighting, but can have a great WOW factor when it comes to lighting up your treasured handbag or shoe collection. Available in disk or linear form and in LED, these lights are recessed within the cabinetry to make them “invisible;” thus, focusing more attention on your beautiful closet pieces. If used behind solid doors, incorporate a sensor, so the lights turn on/off when the doors are opened/closed. Shelf Lighting – For the collectible items that you’d like displayed in the closet, consider LED light-up glass shelves. Both energy efficient and low voltage, the embedded LEDs emit light from the panel in all directions, making this type of lighting ideal for showcasing in your closet.

Lights, Camera, Closet! (Decorati, May 21, 2010)

Closet “living spaces” are one of the most important rooms in the home to play with light and its effects. A good closet lighting plan balances the practical functions, as well as the emotional elements. Does the light capture the true color of your clothing? Does it compliment your face and body? What mood and emotion does it evoke – calm, soothing, luxurious, glamorous or chaotic? Below are different types of closet lighting and a summary of how you can use each one effectively to create a functional and unique lighting design. 

Natural Lighting – The most natural light source and the best complement to your closet is sun light. Not only does the room and your clothes look better when it is bathed with warm natural light, but it makes you look better, too. However, protect yourself and your clothes from fading by installing protective window films to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. These films block 99% of UV rays, reduce up to 78% of the sun’s heat, and reduce 35% of heat loss in the winter.

General Lighting – The key to good general lighting is making it inconspicuous. It is merely the backdrop for the closet that works in conjunction with the other lighting in the room. Whether the source is from overhead fixtures, recessed lights behind cabinetry or mirrors, wall sconces or track lights, the light should reflect and diffuse off of the walls to give an overall glow. For more flexibility with the brightness in the room, incorporate a dimmable feature.

Light-up Rods – Light-up LED Rods have just recently hit the market, and can add so much value to your closet. Perfect for applications with or without doors, these rods allow more visibility for your hanging clothing. LEDs are extremely energy efficient, long lasting, and generate very little heat, which is good news for your clothing.

Recessed In-cabinetry Lighting – In- and Under-cabinetry lighting is very low maintenance lighting, but can have a great WOW factor when it comes to lighting up your treasured handbag or shoe collection. Available in disk or linear form and in LED, these lights are recessed within the cabinetry to make them “invisible;” thus, focusing more attention on your beautiful closet pieces. If used behind solid doors, incorporate a sensor, so the lights turn on/off when the doors are opened/closed.

Shelf Lighting – For the collectible items that you’d like displayed in the closet, consider LED light-up glass shelves. Both energy efficient and low voltage, the embedded LEDs emit light from the panel in all directions, making this type of lighting ideal for showcasing in your closet.