Many homes built in the past 20-30 years did not put central lighting fixtures in many rooms , such as the living-room, bedrooms, and dens or studios (now called "the home office). Unless homeowners are willing to have wires threaded through ceilings and new switches installed, home stagers are going to have to work with what you have. That means floor lamps, table lamps, buffet lamps, plug-in night lights with decorative shades, up-lights and the like. Most of these come with cords. Cords are ugly. Not only ugly, but potentially dangerous and you can not put them in a walk path over or under a rug. NO, NO!!!!
- So when strategically planning that perfect furniture arrangement - you need to consider where the wall outlets are. Better to scope them out before the furniture placements starts.
- While natural light is always a wonder to uncover - I will go against the flow and state "Maybe, don't turn on every light in the house."
Lighting helps set the mood for a room's perceived use. Some overhead lighting such as the older style fluorescents can be quite harsh. It is hard to look good in that light, unless you are under the age of 2.
- I am not advocating that rooms be dimly lit either. People need to see what is for sale or they will wonder what is being hidden. Low light may work for a romantic candle light dinner, but not for a home showing.
- You need a balance of light from whatever sources you can put in a room. A variety is the best and well thought out light placement will play up architectural details, angles, and put each room in a flattering glow. For example: rope lights along the top of a kitchen cupboard pulls the eye up and vaults the space. An up-light on a corner tall plant gives interest to that space. A small lamp on a kitchen counter or a plug -in decorative night light will do the trick there.
As with most things in life it comes down to a matter of balance. This is where a professional home stager such as those with Re$ale Design and Home Staging in Brainerd, Minnesota will make your home a Shining Star !
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Jason -That is cool and it says you can put it on drywall and blend it in and paint over it. I also do interior decorating and this might work for those staying in their homes and needing more light or elec for audio components.
Thank you!
Aren't those home shows - esp with the latest gadgets, fun?
Thanks for bringing this subject to light! (Sorry, couldn't resist). And thanks to Jason for that great idea! Who knew!
As part of my staging consultation I advise the seller which lights to turn on for showings. Yes, there can be too much of a good thing!
On a related note, I am crazy at home about getting the lighting in my own home just right...while my husband follows me around turning them all off. Is it just a gender thing? Drives me nuts!
Great post, Kathleen. You're right, scope out the place and think strategically when you place your furniture as lighting is so critically important.
Kathy
Kathleen,
Lighting is so important, especially when natural light isn't as abundant as we would like it to be, thanks for the reminders! Jason. the flat wiring site is terrific! I'm saving this info for future reference, I just know it will come in handy, thanks!
Penny White
Beststagedesign Inc.
Lighting is so critical and I agree with you on the cords issue Kathleen L.!! I have added outlets on walls which have outlets on the other side. It is an easy fix for homes which have walls with no electrical outlet to plug in lighting. No excuses for bad lighting!! Regards-Kathleen
Kathleen,
Explain for the masses how you have added outlets on walls without them - are you meaning having them wired in permanently?
Yvonne,
Turn on the lights and see!!!!
Keep the cords - just run them strategically - I try for along wallboards, under sofas, and duct tape the excess.
Yes. For example...I had a wall in a living room which had no outlet. It was a perfect area for a sideboard with two buffett lamps....however, there was no outlet at all!! Therefore, no way to plug in the lamps. Ugh. So, on the 'other' side of this wall was an exisiting outlet, All the electrician has to do is tie into the existing outlet on the other side and run the proper gauge wire (12 or 14) through the wall to create a new outlet on the wall where we needed one! It is really easy and cost less then $100 for the electicial work!
Regards-Kathleen G.
Kathleen, like the stage photo, and lighting is such an art. It's something we got a great appreciation for in our years in LA. We've had a chance to work with some really good lighting designers. It certainly opened our eyes. As did this post... the flat wiring being part of it.
Also want to thank you for commenting on our piece yesterday about O.J. saving us from more bad news. It's appreciated.
Juliet -
We have cut a small hole on the top of the cupboard at the back, run the cord down behind the shelves and a small hole at the bottom of the cupboard at the back - they plug in to the existing outlets under the top cabinets. The homeowners pay for the rope lights and they stay with the house - so no little holes left with nothing in them. The holes would be simple repairs if you wanted to take the lights out.
Perhaps if you wrapped all those cords in RAFFIA they would be less obvious, or at least decorative!!! LOL
Jo -
My new staging motto "Have cord -will travel"
Kathleen G-
Thanks, you see being blond, I was thinking of the outlet across the room not the one on shared walls.
Gary - Got your back there big guy - thanks back at you.
We certainly do learn alot by our sharing here .