10 Bright Lighting Tips For A Safer Home: Tips From An Electrician Near Me | Southlake, TX

3/21/2023

Old is gold, but the journey to gold is not always smooth. As we age, things that were easy to do become challenging. Our eyes need more light to see things clearly.

Over time, small details become unclear; light and dark are more difficult to keep apart, and colors are blurred. These and other factors make it more and more difficult to perform simple, everyday tasks and increase the risk of accidents.

These lighting tips by an electrician near me will help you regain independence, enhance your quality of life and make your home safer.

1. Bring in the Sun

No matter your age, you can never have too much natural light in your home. Sunlight gives you maximum brightness at no cost. Open the curtains and blinds during the day and install more and larger windows or skylights where possible. To keep out prying eyes, get window treatments with privacy features. Some of these can also block the sun’s heat and harmful UV rays.

The only downside to sunlight is if you rely on it too much. In the evenings and on cloudy days, you still need light. Also, ensure the sunlight does not hit any reflective surfaces that could create glare.

2. Let There Be Light: Everywhere!

Once the daylight fades, ambient lighting will keep your home nice and bright. Chandeliers and pendants are common ambient lights. To increase the brightness, you can simply replace the bulb with one with more lumen.

However, you have to be careful not to exceed the wattage rating. LED bulbs are brighter but consume fewer watts, making them an energy-efficient choice. They also last 25 times longer, reducing the need for frequent replacement.

Because pendant lights cannot reach the far corners of a room, you need additional light sources. Have your electrician near me install recessed lighting to enhance an existing ambient light. Allow ample space between them and avoid placing them in the center of a room. Recessed lights can create shadows if not correctly spaced.

3. Make Tasks Easier

Apart from ambient lights, it would help to have task lights. These lights help you focus on tasks like reading, working in the kitchen, and anything else requiring attention to detail. Get a sturdy, portable table lamp for your desk or bedside. The neck should be flexible, so you can adjust it to whichever level is needed.

Ensure the lampshade protects your eyes from the direct light of the bulb. In the kitchen, an electrician near me can install LED strips under the cabinets to illuminate the counter. You also want task lighting in your bathroom over the sink.

4. Layers, Layers, Layers

Ambient or task lighting alone won’t make a home brighter. You want to have different lights at varying levels and colors. This includes chandeliers, recessed lights, desk lamps, wall sconces, and floor lamps.

Floor and table lamps can be used both as ambient and task lighting. You want to ensure the lamps are heavy enough and do not fall over easily. Keep the lamps out of busy walkways. Also, ensure the switch is easily accessible and not a switch somewhere along the cord.

Place a floor lamp near the outlet to avoid tripping over the cable. If you have to use a lot of extension cords, get your electrician near me to install additional outlets for you.

5. Beware of Glare

Although we need more light as we age, brighter light can increase glare when falling on reflective surfaces. Avoid using glossy paint on walls. Replace countertops and tables with matte finishes. Ensure your lamps have light fabric or opaque shades that help diffuse the light. You can also find unique glare-free lights.

6. Rethink the Switch

Light switches should be easy to operate and reachable. If the light switches are too high, your electrician near me can lower them to a more accessible height. You also want to place them in a convenient spot at every entrance. Get lighted switches or switches with a glow-in-the-dark frame.

You want to avoid toggle switches. Hands become less agile with age, and operating a small toggle can take time and effort. Have your electrician near me install large rocker switches that react to a push.

Touch switches turn the light on and off with a simple touch. Also, look for dimmer switches that let you adjust the light to your liking. Other options include remote-controlled lights and toe-kick lights for kitchen cabinets.

7. Install Motion Sensors

Motion-sensing lights can help you safely navigate the dark without searching for a switch. These convenient lights can be placed almost anywhere; in hallways, bedrooms, closets, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, stairs, the garage, and outdoors.

Sometimes motion sensors fail to come on fast enough. An alternative would be to get light-sensitive night lights that turn on when it gets dark.

8. Focus on Safety

Most importantly, light upgrades for aging in place must enhance safety. Pay special attention to dangerous areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and staircases. An electrician near me can install step or border lights to make a stairway more visible.

You also want to install lights that improve depth perception to avoid accidents. Light fixtures should not cast shadows which could hide or blur obstacles.

Buffalo Electric Is with You Every Step of the Way

Every homeowner needs an electrician near me they can trust, even more so as they advance in years. At Buffalo Electric, we take our time to understand each client’s needs and strive to deliver 100 percent customer satisfaction every time.

Should you have an electrical emergency, our team will come to you no matter what time of day or night. Give us a call today for more details.

Conclusion

These lighting tips can help you stay independent and safe in your home. To ensure your lights will function as expected, always hire a reputable electrician near me to install them.

Lighting malfunction is among the causes of 50 percent of home fires every year in the United States. A professional at Buffalo Electric will ensure your lights are correctly installed and safe to use.

Check our recent blog on this topic here.

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