Living Room Track Lighting

More and more, track lighting is becoming an essential part of the home lighting designer's tool box. This cost efficient, easy to install lighting technology is great both for the professional and for the do-it-yourselfer who wishes to improve their home. Though track lighting is earning popularity throughout the entire home, it is becoming especially popular in the kitchen and the living room.

Before, the kitchen was simply a room for food to be cooked; nowadays, however, the kitchen is becoming a gathering place for families. Studying is being done at the kitchen table while dinner is being prepared. Along with the family, parties and guests are being entertained in the kitchen. It is for this reason that an efficient, clean method of lighting be used. Too many times a single bright light is installed in an attempt to illuminate the entire; this results in undesired glares off of surfaces as well as a strain on the eyes when reading or preparing food. This issue can be avoided by using multiple lights that shine indirectly around the area as well as on specific task spaces.

Track lighting is excellent for this use since the light fixtures can be easily adjusted as to where they are focused, allowing the homeowner to point focused light at functional areas such as the counter where food is prepared, the stove, and the island in the middle of the kitchen where children may do their studying. This focused lighting method takes much of the strain off the eyes and also increases safety when slicing and preparing food since it is much easier to see the work that is being performed. The ambient light that can be produced by track lighting is very beneficial as well, since the warm light that they generate does not create a glare. Ambient light can produce an inviting environment that can completely transform the mood the room gives off.

In the living room, proper lighting is essential; more than most rooms, studying is done here as well as the entertainment of guests. Many homes use the living room as an entertainment room with the television being the center of focus, as well. Track lighting has the ability to illuminate the room without creating cross-glare on the television screen and it will also increase the amount of useful light in the room. In an effort to create the illusion of a larger space, track lighting can be used; the close to ceiling track lights allow for more room between the floor and ceiling, making it appear as though there is more head room. In addition, the proper track lighting practices can create a larger feeling space by reducing the clutter of lamps and hanging lights, while still permitting ambient light to flood the room with a warm glow. Pieces of art and decoration benefit greatly from track lighting as well, because the focused track lighting fixtures can be pointed toward them and in order to gain more attention.

Track lights are primarily used as a form of accent lighting or task lighting. They are part of a lighting system that are used to accentuate a painting or feature wall in the house or provide plenty of light for doing a task. They are often used in areas of the home such as the kitchen, study room, family room or the games room.

Track lights can instantly change the feel of any room in your home. You can use it as an accent light on your favorite picture frames, plants, books, vases, and antiques. You can wash the walls with light in your living room to give generous illumination or give it just a soft glow. Mounting these lights above your home office desk, library bookshelves, kitchen island, kitchen sink or billiard table will give you bright, task lighting. You can also use them to add a play of light and shadow around your fireplace, or to brighten up a dark corner of your entry hall.

Find Out Your Lighting Needs First

Before you go out and buy those track lights, you will need to be very clear about your lighting needs.