Electrical Fixtures

Oh, my gracious! Be prepared to make lots of decisions, electrical fixtures encompass many facets. It can be overwhelming. I made many many trips to big box stores like @Lowe’s and @Home Depot looking for fixtures as well as many antique shops. Just to name a few of the decisions you will need to make include lighting fixtures, sconce (bathroom), over counter lighting, porch lights, outdoor lighting, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, etc. etc. We did not have wiring for a telephone. We use cell phones and did not see that need. Also, a total separate blog will address appliances.

Kitchen – What type of lighting will you use in the kitchen? Where will you place these lights? There are so many options. Also, as discussed in a previous post for all those lights there will need to be switches. Fixtures in the kitchen are unlimited. In this blog we are speaking of electrical fixtures and where an outlet or switch may be necessary. When you think of small appliances be aware of where these will be used. This was addressed in the blog on electrical outlets. We decided on light fixtures over the island (these are from @Joss & Main see photo), can lights in the kitchen area, lighting over the counter, and a light over the sink. This sounds minimum, but many decisions had to be made in placement. For instance, how much room do you need to open the dishwasher door and the oven door. This measurement is needed to decide on island placement, which will indicate where lights will be placed. Also, if you have an open floor plan you would like for all fixtures to coordinate.

Living area – Will you have a ceiling fan? What kind of lighting? Will lighting be lamps or overhead lighting? Can lights or fixtures? Wow! Also, this needs to be decided before framing to make sure the fixtures will be framed in the proper place. My husband has vertigo and a ceiling fan often exacerbates his condition (something to consider). Our floor plan was very open, so we had to decide furniture placement before deciding fixture placement. In the living area think of mantel area for outlet or sconce. This needs to be included in the framing as well. Think outside the box when considering placement. I had a sitting area in the front window and placed a hanging light fixture there (see photo), which matched the fixture over the breakfast room table. I did not think about the Christmas tree (which is crazy since I go all out for Christmas). At Christmas when getting the tree, I realized the hanging fixture was exactly where the tree needed to be. This fixture may be replaced with a can light for that reason.

Bathroom – Bathroom lighting can include sconce on each side of the bathroom mirror, or lighting over the bathroom mirror, central lighting, lighting over the bathtub, lighting in shower, etc. Also, in a bathroom plan for exhaust fan and placement. Be sure there is adequate lighting either in the bathroom or dressing area for putting on make up or shaving. Lighting on each side of the mirror is more helpful for applying makeup. Overhead lighting tends to cast a shadow. We brought an antique chandelier from a previous house to use in the guest bath. Coordinating sconce and chandelier’s can be tricky. I wanted the same style, and the same finish. Finding this wasn’t easy.

Bedroom/closets – Decide if you want lamp, overhead lighting, or a ceiling fan. Make sure framing includes placement for a ceiling fan, even if you are not going to use one, in case you decide to get one later. The fixture for our master bedroom came from @Lowe’s (see photo). In choosing the fixture check if there is a design on the walls when lit.  There is a slight shadow with this fixture. You may want sconce on the wall on each side of the bed. This needs to be included in the framing. Also, in a walk-in closet make sure there is adequate lighting, to see color. @IKEA has fixtures that are flexible (see photo), you can direct the lights to an accent area.

Laundry – You will want good lighting in this area especially if you do not have natural lighting. In our house plans I knew I wanted a window in the laundry room. This made a difference in where we placed the laundry. I bought a chandelier for the laundry room at @Homewood Antiques, Homewood, AL. It is enough lighting and kind of dresses up the laundry area. I did not put under counter lighting in this area.

Porch/Garage – Placement of these lights in a custom-built house is limitless, hanging lights, ceiling mount, can lights, etc. Also, where will you place lights on the outside of the garage? Will lights go over the garage doors, on the side, over or on side of personnel door (if there is a personnel door)? We have two garage doors, we chose lights on each side of the doors (two lights). The lights match the doors on each side of the front door (see photos). These are motion lights which are practical. You know when the light comes on there is motion. We also chose ceiling mount lights on the porch. These lights didn’t show so that was a cost savings.

Miscellaneous – Consider the type of lighting you will use. It is helpful to go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and look at the different lighting options. Options include soft white, warm white, bright white, natural daylight. It is also helpful to look at your paint samples in the different lighting options. Lighting makes a difference with the color. Also, LED lighting is more expensive but well worth the extra cost. Now there are many different styles of LED lighting such as an Edison bulb. We made several purchases at @IKEA, they have lots of options. Consider the cost a long-term investment of replacing light bulbs and an energy savings.

In making decisions on fixtures you would like for the style to remain consistent. You probably would not want to combine modern, antique, etc. just because you like a certain fixture. Coordinating all the fixtures is tricky. I decided I liked the circular look, I also, liked the antique and primitive look. I will say not all fixtures are the same but the ones you can see at the same time remain consistent.

Another consideration is using light fixtures from thrift stores or antique stores. I bought a light fixture at a thrift store that I really wanted to use in our closet. It was missing a shade and I didn’t think finding a replacement would be difficult. It was! The fixture ended back up at the thrift store. Also, I bought an antique fixture that needed glass shades. I had a lady at an antique store in Cleveland, Tennessee hold three glass shades which I thought would fit. When I got the shades, they did not fit. I finally found shades on Amazon. Just be sure if you purchase a fixture that shades are available.

We placed security cameras on each corner of the house. We had these wired when building the house. We also had motion lights on each corner. We have wildlife which often set the lights off. This can be alarming in the middle of the night when the light comes on. After a while you get used to it knowing it is only a neighborhood dog.

Other miscellaneous consideration are random scones, lighting over or to accent a picture, an outside light pole, lighting in attic and crawl space, and in dormers.