- LED bulbs are the most common bulbs for basement lighting. They’re also the most energy-efficient and long-lasting, and they tend to stay very cool.
- CFL bulbs are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and don’t produce a ton of heat, but they can take a few seconds to reach their maximum brightness.
- Halogen bulbs are slightly more efficient than CFL bulbs and are long-lasting, but they grow very hot.
- Incandescent bulbs are no longer as readily available, as they are neither energy-efficient nor long-lasting, and they grow very hot.
What are the best lights for a basement?
T he Best Basement Lighting Fixtures
- Ensenio Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Light. ...
- LIT-PaTH LED Flush Mount Ceiling Lighting Fixture. ...
- LE Flush Mount LED Ceiling Light for Bathroom Porch. ...
- Bbounder 4 Pack Linkable LED Utility Shop Light. ...
- 2-Pack LED Garage Light. ...
- BIGLIGHT LED Track Light. ...
- Barrina LED Shop Light. ...
What is the best light fixture for a basement?
- 8′ ceilings should have lights 4′ apart or more
- Look at light coverage per square footage (light spread by recessed light)
- 4″ LED lights are more than enough
- 4″ LED lumen color changing lights are great
- Rule of thumb is that one recessed light covers 32 sq feet for 8′ ceiling
- A person likes to see multiple sources of lights. ...
What is the best unfinished basement lighting?
What Is The Best Unfinished Basement Lighting?
- Unfinished Basement Lighting Considerations. Choosing lighting for an unfinished basement requires a lot of thought and consideration. ...
- Lights that Work Well in Unfinished Basements. ...
- Lights to Avoid in Unfinished Basements. ...
- Five Lighting Choices for Unfinished Basement Ceilings. ...
What are the best blinds for the basement?
Why are blinds used more than curtains?
- Easier to maintain. Small basement window blinds are much easier to maintain as all we need to do is wipe it with a damp cloth once in while unlike curtains ...
- Helps to control the amount of light that enters a room. You can adjust and pull slats on window blinds depending upon your needs. ...
- Available in different styles. ...
What kind of lighting is best for basements?
For a basement, ambient lighting is often best achieved through recessed ceiling lights (aka — can lights, high-hats or downlights). Track lighting is an alternative to recessed lights, and it can be more budget-friendly especially if you are trying to fit ambient lighting in a finished space.
What color light is best for a basement?
Cool white bulbs give off a friendly and inviting light that is perfectly suited for high-traffic areas of the home including living rooms, kitchens, basements and playrooms. Cool white light is also ideal for reading and completing tasks.
How many lumens do I need for basement lighting?
Light Where You Need It You should look for 75 to 100-Watt incandescent lamps, but we want to stop thinking of lights in terms of wattage, so let's look at Lumens instead. For the newer lamps, that means you want lights with a Lumen output of 800-1200 Lumens (typically a 13-Watt LED will yield within that range).
How do you illuminate a basement?
Ways to Brighten Up a Dark BasementRepaint the Walls. One of the easiest, most affordable ways to lighten a room is by painting the walls and trim in brighter colors. ... Use Reflective Surfaces. ... Add Light Fixtures. ... Introduce More Natural Lighting. ... Raise the Ceiling.
Which is better soft white or daylight?
Soft white has more warm tones and is often in the yellow color range. Daylight however, is far more cool and has more white and even blueish tones to it. Soft white is ideal for residential environments and has more earthy tones. Daylight is ideal for commercial environments and has more blueish tints.
What light bulb is closest to natural light?
Halogen Light Bulb Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent that gives a close approximation of natural daylight, known as "white light." Colors appear sharper under halogen light and the bulbs can be dimmed.
What lights for unfinished basement?
Since unfinished basements are often damp and cold, fluorescent tube lights should probably be avoided. The Build Direct blog advises you steer clear of bare incandescent bulbs. They provide a harsh, yellow light that isn't welcoming. Instead, opt for soft white bulbs that provide a warmer light.
Is 3000 lumens too bright?
3000 lumens is a good level of light for LED, CFL or incandescent lighting. It's suitable for recessed lighting, downlighting, up lighting and within pendants.
How far apart should basement lights be?
It's very easy to figure out how far apart to space your lights. Take the height from floor to ceiling, divide that by 2 and use that number as the spacing for your basement lights. If your ceiling is 8' above the floor, divide 8' by 2 and your lights should be spaced approximately 4' apart.
How do I get daylight in my basement?
How To Bring Natural Light Into A BasementConsider A Solar Tube. These are tubes that feed natural light directly into your basement. ... Install Light Wells. ... Choose Feature Lighting. ... Extend Ceiling Heights. ... Glass Doors. ... Design Details.
How do I make my basement lights brighter?
10 Ways to Lighten and Brighten a Basement#1. Paint Your Walls with a Light Color.#2. Choose Light Wood Flooring.#3. Use the right Lighting and Layer them.#4. Choose Bright Colored Furniture for Contrast and Added Brightness.#5. Consider Natural Plants.#6. Don't Forget the Mirrors.#7. Consider Shiny Metal Accents.#8.More items...•
How can I make my basement Flater brighter?
Painted Bricks. Many basements have exposed brickwork, but the colour of bricks can make the space look dark. Solve the problem by painting over the bricks in a light colour. This way you'll have the brightness without losing the texture.
What is recessed lighting in a basement bar?
A galaxy of recessed miniature can lights shine down on this basement bar. The bright white light from these fixtures accentuates the glowing wood cabinetry, sparkling glassware, granite countertops, and stainless-steel bar surfaces. Each row of lights is on a separate dimmer switch, allowing the homeowner to dial in the precise amount of illumination needed: bright for lively parties or dim for watching the TV mounted above the back-bar.
What is a pendant light?
Pendant lighting fixtures drop from the ceiling and hover over an area that needs illumination. Besides shedding light over a specific area, they can introduce sculptural shapes and glowing colors that add style from overhead. Depending on their design, pendant lights can offer focused task lighting, overall ambient lighting, or colorful accent lighting. To maximize the brilliance of basement lighting, choose clear glass shades that won't obstruct the bulb's brightness.
What are vintage pendant lights called?
These vintage-style pendant lamps, with their brushed-nickel hardware and milk-glass shades, are often called schoolhouse lamps. They were installed in thousands of early-20th-century schools, libraries, and other public buildings before the advent of fluorescent lighting. The nostalgic, industrial look, which is complete with surface-mounted wiring, complements the exposed floor joists and painted block walls of this basement cleanup area. Because of their shapely translucent shades, these lights cast a pleasingly soft, diffuse glow that contrasts nicely with the crisp, structural-looking architecture.
Can you use recessed lighting in a basement?
Many rooms benefit from a combination of lighting fixture types, which is especially true in basements where natural light can be scarce. This lower-level living area uses recessed can lighting to add broad illumination, while adjustable floor lamps flank the sofa to provide reading light.
Is track lighting good for basement?
Track lighting makes a great basement lighting idea because it's easy to install, doesn't take up floor or wall space, and is remarkably flexible. Many systems, such as the one shown here, combine both spot fixtures for accent lighting and pendant or flood fixtures for ambient lighting.
What to Consider
The first thing to consider is what type of basement you have. If it’s a rough, unfinished basement that functions primarily as a storage or workshop space, then you’ll probably want a light that provides maximum visibility, similar to models that you would use in your garage, like the Amico LED Garage Lights or the BBOUNDER 4 Pack Linkable LED.
How We Selected
We’ve lived in homes with both unfinished and finished basements, and have hands-on experience installing and removing lighting fixtures. We used this experience, in combination with extensive online research, to help put together this list of lighting options.
How many bulbs are in Lemontec string lights?
The Lemontec Outdoor Commercial Grade String Lights come outfitted with a total of fifteen bulbs that offer sufficient ambient lighting. Its warm overall light will help to make your damp, dark unfinished basement feel cozier and more comfortable.
How many lumens per square foot for a table?
For tables and other raised surfaces, you should use 30 lumens per square foot and 50 lumens per square foot for task lighting.
Do you need to work around a low ceiling in a basement?
In basements, you are required to work around low ceilings and the general lack of natural light. However, when it comes to unfinished basements, they present a whole other set of obstacles. They are typically colder, lack reflective surfaces, and make mounting most conventional lighting fixtures very challenging.
Do art studios need lighting?
Art studios require plenty of lighting in order to be useful. Whereas, a media room may not necessitate as much to avoid glare on movie screens. Your budget. Just like any other home renovation, your budget should be strongly considered when shopping for unfinished basement lighting. Style of the room.
Can you put pendant lights in a basement?
If your unfinished basement necessitates task lighting, you can choose to install a pendant light over your work area. However, you’ll want to make sure that these types of lights are only mounted in areas with low traffic as pendant lights and low ceilings are not the best combination.
Can you have natural light in a walkout basement?
Depending on your particular basement, you may be blessed with ample natural light if it’s a walkout or you have large windows. Although, in some cases, simply having a walkout basement still may not offer enough natural lighting. The use of the room.
Do Mr. beams need wiring?
Beams is a simple solution to add extra light to almost any room. They come in a pack of two and since they are battery powered, they do not require any wiring and can be installed pretty much anywhere.
What is daylight basement?
A daylight or walk-out basement has one or more full walls at ground-level. Usually, daylight basements are in houses located on sloped terrain. The downslope side of the house creates an opening.
Why do recessed lights work in basements?
Recessed lights work so well in basements because they tuck out of the way. Nearly the entire unit is contained within the ceiling; only trim is showing. To tone down recessed lights, put them on dimmer switches. Create recessed light zones to keep the lighting only in the areas you want—not the entire basement.
Why do you need a tray light?
Tray lighting is good for setting a mood within a room, and it is especially beneficial when you need the room to be mostly dark, as when watching a show or relaxing. Building the tray and seamlessly merging it with your basement is often the work of a skilled carpenter. But adding the lights to the tray is simple.
What is a sconce light?
Sconce lights are switch-controlled light fixtures that are attached to the wall and usually point upwards when used for general wall lighting. Sconce lights, too, can be pointed downwards and used as reading lights. In this case, the switch may be on the light unit itself or in the wall.
How many lights are required in a room?
According to the electrical code, you must provide at least one light per room. This light can be controlled by a switch on the light or by a wall switch. The wall switch must be near the entrance to the room. Code can be met with a ceiling light and a wall switch. If it's a small utility room, you can create the same configuration ...
Where are ceiling lights located?
Ceiling Lights. Ceiling lights located in the center of the ceiling and controlled by a wall switch are standard for many rooms. Not only do they meet code but they provide basic lighting for any type of room. Builders usually install switch-controlled ceiling lights as the default lighting in many rooms.
Where does sunlight come from in a basement?
In reality, these are large-diameter reflective tubes that extend from the roofline to the basement ceiling. Sunlight is collected at the roof and sent down to the basement for low-intensity natural general lighting. Sun tubes aren't true skylights, so direct sunlight rarely reaches the basement.
What is ambient lighting in a basement?
For a basement, ambient lighting is often best achieved through recessed ceiling lights (aka — can lights, high-hats or downlights). Track lighting is an alternative to recessed lights, and it can be more budget-friendly especially if you are trying to fit ambient lighting in a finished space. Task lighting.
How high should a light fixture be above a table?
If the fixture is heavy, have a carpenter install the hooks to make sure they’re sturdy. For a dining table or game table hang the light fixture 36 inches above the table.
What are pendant lights?
Pendant lights over the countertops and under-cabinet lights will help illuminate the prep spaces as well as highlight the countertop materials , especially if you've invested in a glossy natural stone. Of course, these options are best if planned for prior to a remodel.
What is recessed lighting?
“Layered lighting is always on trend, and you can achieve that by using recessed cans and accent lights,” according to designer Lyndsay Bussler. “I’ve seen a surge in decorative lighting recently like chandeliers, sconces, etc. to add some texture and metal to the space. Oversize pendant lights are also a big deal in kitchens and wet bar lighting.”
How far apart should recessed lights be?
Standard spacing for recessed lights is normally 8 to 10 feet apart, but that will mostly depend on the size of the fixture and the function of what you’re lighting. Instead of being concerned so much about an actual distance, your goal should be even lighting throughout rather than have some areas brighter and than others. “There isn’t a standard amount of distance between the lights, however, the higher your ceiling, the less lighting you’ll need, especially when using dome-shaped lights,” explains designer McKinley Miller with FBC Remodel. “Our preference is to use disc lights that are shallower with a fiberglass or plastic covering for a more seamless look.”
How high should a ceiling be in Denver?
“However, when considering adding in ceiling fans and other non-recessed fixtures, you’ll want your ceiling to be a minimum 7 feet, 6 inches.
Can track lights be used in a basement?
The wonderful thing about track lighting is that it can cover a lot of ground and be pointed in whichever direction you want. Track lights are also a good option in a low-ceiling basement because you can find models that will protrude less than 6 inches down from the ceiling.
Looking for the Best Basement Lighting
Over the years our recessed light bulbs have gone from traditional incandescent bulbs to CFL's (fluorescent bulbs), to LED bulbs.
Finding the Best Lighting for a Basement
When it comes to projects like this, I have a bit of a problem – I don't live very close to a big box hardware store, where presumably I would find a good selection of bulbs to choose from.
The Right Basement Light Bulbs For You
If you are unhappy with your basement lighting, I suggest you take stock of your current situation.
What is basement lighting?
Basement lighting is one of the most fundamental things to ensure a basement becomes an extension of the home. No one wants a brand new space to feel dark and unwelcoming. Using a few lighting techniques and the right kind of light, you can make a basement feel like any other level of your home. We have compiled everything you need to know how ...
What are the benefits of LED lighting?
Benefits of Basement LED Lighting 1 The average LED bulb lasts around 50 thousand hours, while an incandescent bulb lasts only around 1 thousand hours. 2 Incandescent bulbs also have a much higher running temperature when lit. 3 On average an LED bulb is around 87 degrees compared to 335 degrees in incandescent light. 4 LED bulbs also use around 75% less energy than incandescent lighting.
What is the temperature of an LED bulb?
Incandescent bulbs also have a much higher running temperature when lit. On average an LED bulb is around 87 degrees compared to 335 degrees in incandescent light. LED bulbs also use around 75% less energy than incandescent lighting.
What color is LED light?
LED lighting comes in a wide array of color temperatures from warm white to cool whites. Depending on the preferred look you want, either side of the spectrum can work. Warm white light will provide a more yellow or warm color, while the cool white side creates a more white-colored light.
Is it better to have cooler colors in a basement?
Cooler colors are often better for evenly lit spaces like a basement or living room. They will also help provide a more neutral color throughout the space. The following Troy, MI home is an example of how drastic the lighting temperature can affect the look of a room!
Can you add recessed lighting to a basement?
Adding lighting to your space depends on which stage of construction your basement is in. If drywall has not gone up yet, there is an easier chance that you can add in additional recessed lighting. If the basement is already finished you can look into accessory lighting.
