Picking out the right light fixture for your space can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect. With a couple of key concepts to guide your decisions, you can find a light fixture for your kitchen, bathroom, or elsewhere in your home, that enhances the space and makes the room come alive.

Finish

The first thing to take into consideration when selecting a fixture is the other metals and materials in the space, such as appliances, the hardware on cabinetry, sinks, and so on. Make sure there’s a sense of continuity between all the finishes to create a cohesive look.

Size

One decision that can be nerve-wracking is selecting the size of the fixture. When looking at a fixture in a store, it’s usually in a big warehouse-type building, sometimes bigger than your home. Keep in mind the size of the space you’re working with, and the size and scale of light fixture that’s appropriate. Additionally, you need to make sure the fixture is not going to be directly in your line of sight and become a nuisance.

Light

While this may seem the most obvious, an easily overlooked aspect to keep in mind is how much light you need and want the fixture to provide. Exposed bulbs versus a shade will change the brightness of the light, in addition to adding a decorative element.

Exposed bulbs can enhance a contemporary look in a room, but can also be overly bright. Placement is also important for exposed bulbs, you don’t want to be sitting at a dining table and look straight into the light.

On the same note, it’s important to know that certain shades on light fixtures can dramatically affect the lighting in a room. Sometimes people think their copper-colored crystal shades will flatter the warmth in a room, but forget that the fixture will throw that copper color light throughout, and possibly make that lighting alone inadequate for the room. If you want good light, go with light or white shades for the lowest impact.

The right light fixture can affect the ambiance of your space, so you want to make sure you choose right one. If you are looking to remodel your kitchen or contemplating more extensive changes to your home, you can set up a time with a Normandy Designer to talk about the possibilities. Check out the photo gallery or follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for even more home tips and inspiration. Or get the latest news on our current projects and subscribe to our newsletter.