Lighting A Kids Room

Lighting fixtures have come a long way in a short time. They come in a variety of styles, finishes and they use various types of bulbs. Oh yes, Edison would have been proud! When it comes to brightening a child’s room with light however, there are some things to consider:

Safety is key
Bulbs vary in the amount of heat they give off and kids are curious. (Not a great combination!) Don’t put a lighting fixture that gets hot, where tiny fingers can hurt themselves. Not only is this referring to direct contact but indirect contact as well. Think “ball being thrown up in the air hitting a bare lit bulb.” In most circumstances, the bulb will break and the glass will be a hazard. If it is a compact florescent bulb (CFL) dangerous mercury could seep through a child’s skin as well.

Consider light fixtures that are fully covered, have shades or have special guards that protect them from child play. There are many on the market that even will work well on a small budget.

Reduce shadows and their effects
Kids have active imaginations and, unlike your dining room or den, you will want to lessen the contrast in light and shadows in your child’s room. To do this, use lighting with a wide angle of light and stay away from dark or opaque shades that only cast light upward or downward.

Select lighting fixtures that are fun
“Fun” doesn’t mean expensive. Consider using a lamp base with classic lines but switching out the shade from year to year. Use your glue gun and creativity to add a unique touch. For girls consider feathers, ribbon, jewels and crystal. For boys, you might lean more toward texture and color: ribbon, buttons, rope, leather and denim. Since you’ve selected a lamp base that can “grow” with them throughout the years, your overall cost of simply modifying the shade every couple of years should be low.

Don’t forget the details
Details are what make a room. For instance, consider using a fun finial on a bedside lamp or a decorative ceiling fan pull. If your child loves shoes (what girl doesn’t) don’t think twice about finding a chandelier that conveys that detail. And, if your outdoor fanatic can’t simmer down when the topic of baseball is thrown around, consider a standing lamp that looks like a baseball bat! The options are truly endless and exciting!

By: M. Lawlor Cooper

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For more great ideas on home lighting please visit www.arcadianlighting.com