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Mood lighting for your home is lots of fun as it will create new ambiances throughout your house. If you are having trouble visualizing this concept of mood lighting then think of your doctor's office and your favorite grocery store. Each one is using different lighting; the grocery store with overhead florescent and it is a harsh light, and there are very few shadows. Now look at your doctor's office. They probably have some comfortable furniture, but it is basically using overhead lighting also, but there is still little atmosphere. Both of these, though different, are for the general public and they are missing the mood lighting that gives it the homey feeling.
So this works for these places but you want some intimacy when you get home, while still keeping the functional activities of every home.
Take a few minutes to walk through your house and really look at each room. Usually the bathroom and the kitchen require brighter lights, because there are specific tasks for those rooms, but consider a softer bulb than the “harsher” fluorescent lighting. In the bedroom and the living room you want a ceiling or overhead light for tasks that involve entire room, but a dimmer switch would allow you to adjust the overhead lighting for mealtimes or TV.
Mood lighting allows you and your family to participate in different activities and still be in the same space. It allows one to be reading, in a floor lamp next to a recliner, while the kids watch a movie. If you have an office or computer area, this would be a good place for strong halogen lamps for that fine print. Other concentrated areas that would benefit from separate illumination are make-up tables, the kitchen sink and work area, or the dining room table with its different functions. Finally, select a favorite picture to spotlight, or the fireplace, or maybe one of your tropical plants. These are simply highlights – so save them until last. For more ideas, search the Internet or better yet, spend some time really looking around a lighting store and don't be afraid to ask questions!
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