Bright Ideas

Issue No. 54, March 2015 Stairways in the home are often overlooked when it comes to lighting design. Right Light Climbing up and down staircases opens the door to trips and falls. This can be especially dangerous for elderly residents and small children. Fortunately, a few well-placed lighting fixtures can properly illuminate stairways and make them safer to traverse. Consider installing a few sc…Read More

Issue No. 53, January 2015 Lighting design is not always about high-traffic areas, like the family room and kitchen. Essential task areas need proper lighting too. Work Area When it comes to lighting design, spaces not typically seen by guests sometimes do not get the attention they deserve. Household jobs are easier to tackle in an organized, well-lit space. The laundry room, for example, require…Read More

Issue No. 52, November 2014 As we age, our eyes require more light and less glare in order to see properly. Right Light Lighting becomes more important as people age. Older eyes experience two important changes: First, the amount of light required to sustain visual performance increases with age. Research shows that a 60-year-old needs twice as much light as a 30-year-old. Use dimmers to allow for…Read More

Issue No. 51, October 2014 It's time to spruce up your home for holiday entertaining. It's easy to make your home warm and inviting with the right ambient lighting. Bright Tips The holidays typically involve guests coming to your home, which means your outside lighting is an important element for creating a welcoming feel. A great start is general facade illumination to highlight the form of your …Read More

Issue No. 50, September 2014 The sun is setting earlier, and your lights are working longer. Beautiful lighting will make your home cozy and comfortable. Right Light The weather is getting cooler and it's almost time to fall back one hour. Sometimes simply resetting your alarm clock is not the same as resetting your internal clock. Your bedroom lighting plays a big part in maintaining your natural…Read More

Issue No. 49, August 2014 Game Time It's football season. Time to get your TV room in shape for family and friends. Right Light Whether your TV is in the family room or a dedicated media room, everyone's viewing experience will be optimized with proper lighting. Poor lighting can be a distraction to relaxing family time and make viewers physically uncomfortable. Your investment in a high-definitio…Read More

Issue No. 48, July 2014 Turn your grilling space into an outdoor living and entertaining room. Outdoor Oasis Whether you are having a few friends over for a weekend barbecue or taking a staycation around the pool, the right lighting can make all the difference between simply cooking out and feeling like you are relaxing resort style. For example, turn your deck or patio into an outside living room…Read More

Issue No. 47, June 2014 It may be getting hot outside, but your home will feel cool and look cool with a sleek, modern, stylish ceiling fan. Fan Zone When it comes to ceiling fans, you may not usually think of beautiful design and high-end artistic styling. Yet, many of the newest ceiling fans from ALA-member manufacturers are not your everyday fans. They feature sleek lines, modern finishes, natu…Read More

Issue No. 47, April 2014 Make a style-defining statement with one special, eye-catching fixture. Top Trends "The Better Show" recently featured a segment showcasing the top lighting trends and the 2014 issue of Lighting magazine, published by Better Homes and Gardens and the American Lighting Association . A nationally syndicated lifestyle TV show, "The Better Show" focuses on a variety of issues …Read More

Issue No. 46, March 2014 Find Your Style in Lighting Picture This Whether you already have an image in mind of how you want your home to look, or if your design scheme is a blank slate, Lighting magazine is the perfect place to find your inspiration. Produced by Better Homes & Gardens, Lighting Magazine is full of pictures of beautiful home settings featuring the latest lighting and design tre…Read More