Custom lighting is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to turn a generic kitchen or bathroom into a classy personalized backdrop for your life. Depending on your budget and goal, there will likely be a variety of different options for you to ensure that you are happy with the final product.
Under Cabinet Lighting
One of the most common types of custom lighting is lighting put beneath cabinets. This can vary greatly in intensity, customizability, and color. One of the most common options for installing custom under cabinet lighting is to use an LED setup which can be secured quickly into place by even an amateur. However, this will leave you with an extra cord which you will have to route to an outlet, and then plug in manually when you want to turn on the lights. This is why many people opt to hire a professional to do the installation, who will be able to wire the lighting to connect with a light switch. This not only removes the clutter of power cords through your kitchen, but also adds an element of professionalism and style. It changes them from a quick add on to an integrated stylistic element. And best of all, this is still a relatively cheap service, and a qualified electrician should be able to do it rather quickly.
Aside from the option of an LED strip, more personal options can be customized, although these could come with a higher price tag. If you are looking for something more specific, such as intense task lighting in certain areas but softer mood lighting in the background, consult a trusted electrician to determine what this will cost for your specific situation. If you have the money though, this can result in not only an added level of sophistication, but a powerfully effective set of lights which increase productivity and food safety.
In the bathroom, under cabinet lighting can be helpful to help diffuse the light. Instead of a harsh glaring beam which shines down on visitors, you can have a quiet yet effective set of smaller lights which turn the mood from a harsh public bathroom to a classy and sanitary retreat. A larger selection of warmer lights can help to drastically change the way the room is experienced. Finally, these can give you the option to use the restroom without having to turn on all of the lights, something you might appreciate if you have ever awoken with a full bladder.
Exterior Lighting
Custom exterior lighting can also be a very useful tool for improving your home value and living experience. A simple set of outdoor landscaping lights can help to highlight the landscaping which you are proud of and increase the value of your home. Homeowners perceive houses with well done landscaping and lighting as being more valuable and more desirable. Additionally, these lights, as well as other exterior lighting, can help deter crime. Criminals feel safer in the dark, as they will be less likely to be noticed or identified.
Finally, exterior lighting can be used to extend the hours you can spend outdoors. A well lit patio can be a wonderful location for an evening of socializing, while no one will want to sit outside in the dark.
Price and Time Commitment
When looking to install custom lighting, the time and money required will obviously vary with what is wanted for the final product. However, there will be a few things which can help you get a general idea of how much things may cost. If there is already a circuit which can support the lighting, or the lighting will be in an easily accessible area, the project should be able to be completed relatively cheaply and quickly by a professional. However, if the lighting is in a hard to reach area, or if there will need to be a number of additional electrical circuits added, there may be an additional cost associated with this. If you are considering adding lighting, give your electrician a call, and have them examine the job. They may be able to give advice based on previous experience, or the specific setup of your home electrical system. Once you have a good idea of what it will cost you, you can decide if it will be worth it, or if you will need to pursue other options for now.
One of the largest benefits of home electrical work is that it has a substantial effect on the value of the property. Not only will the house appear to be nicer and better put together, but having a record of electrical work being done regularly can assure a potential homebuyer that the previous owner took good care of the property. This assurance can help them to feel more comfortable making a competitive offer on your property.