Special thanks to Sue Thomas, owner of Room Whispers Redesign in Manassas, Va. who has contributed to today’s blog. Here are her helpful hints on how to acheive the best use of light in your home.

1. Don’t over- or under-light a room. Most people tend to overlight, but you can avoid that by checking the tag on each lamp for recommended wattage and not using more. Alternatively, install a dimmer, which allows you to adjust light accordingling.

2. Choose the right light for the job, anb put it in the right place. For a good reading lamp, look for a lampshade that’s not too high or too wide. A reading lamp shoud cast a light on your book without getting it in your eyes.

3. In addition to general lighting in the kitchen, consider task lights on the stove, sink, and counter.

4. In a seating area, make sure lighting appears to come from in front of you, not from behind or beside you.

5. When you go to a showroom to buy lamps, bring pictures of your home and the area you want to light. If you don’t have pictures, bring measurements–room size, window dimensions, measurements of any archways, ceiling height, etc.

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