Foyer Lighting

Beautifully decorated and well-lit foyers - the entry passage that links to the remaining part of the house, greet you and your guests with warmth. Typically foyers need enough lighting to guide you through to the living area. But with little thought and planning you can convert this usually under played space into a bright entry way for instant attention.

Foyer lighting tips

Foyer light should be chosen with proper care and consideration. Following are the different factors that should be kept in mind before picking up the light fixtures for foyer.

• The size and height of the foyer plays an important role in choosing the main lighting fixture. Large fixtures go well with the high ceilings whereas small foyers call for mellowed lighting.
  
  
• There needs to be a proper blend between the foyer lighting and the inside décor of the house.
  
  
• Foyer lighting should suit the color/paint of the walls, as the lights reflect the colors used.
  
  
• Foyer lighting should be both functional and aesthetic. It should give a spectacular view from outside and the right level of brightness as well. Too bright or too soft lighting will not assure you of compliments.
  

Foyer lighting fixtures

Traditionally chandeliers are hung in foyer space to lend a look of majesty and grandeur. But, of late, you have a wide range of lighting fixtures to choose from, for your entrance. Right from hanging pendants, wall scones to portable lamps, there is a variety of fixtures that can make your foyer space more inviting. It all depends upon the mood you want to set and of course, the size and the existing décor of the place.

Chandeliers: Chandeliers are eternal. Proud owners of large entry ways can consider installing elegant chandeliers of the right size. But make sure they hang at least 7 feet above the ground. If your foyer is double storied, it is wiser to add a multi-tiered chandelier for proper illumination. If there is a window in the foyer, place the chandelier in such a way that it is visible from outside. You can also think of adding few other light sources along with chandeliers as accent pieces for better visibility and thematic look.

Wall sconces: Sconces sit pretty on the wall lending a soft and subtle look. They are great for accent lighting and help lend a calming mood in a foyer. They should be mounted above the eye level to avoid a harsh glare. Sconces are fixed as a sole lighting source or can be used as complimentary to larger fixtures.

Hanging pendants: Pendants also hang like chandeliers yet they are less elaborate. They are stylish and sophisticated and are a popular option to the traditional chandeliers.

Portable lamps: Small lamps add ambiance to the foyer. Place them on the side table for elegance and support. Small lamps are the perfect choice if you are in a mood to display some of your art pieces. Place them right next to the lamp and wait for the compliments to pour in.

Whether you go with the traditional chandeliers or more contemporary ones, a well thought foyer lighting is sure to put a smile on your face as you enter or exit. A small tip before conclusion, try adding dimmer switch to your fixture if you do not use Compact florescent bulbs (CFL). It not only adjusts the brightness according to you requirement, but also adds a dash of drama and mystery to the foyer.

The brightness of Florescent bulbs and their miniature varieties can't be adjusted with dimmers. Traditional incandescent bulbs only can be used with dimmers. Modern light emitting diode lamps (LED) can be controlled with dimmers but if you opt for LED bulbs, you would be better off with ring types where individual rows of LEDs can be individually controlled with suitable electronic switchgear.

LED ring lights may cost most initially, but they will save you considerable energy as they are far more efficient than any comparable lights. They last longer too - typically a well designed LED bulb lasts for 25,000 hours as against a normal incandescent bulb's lifespan of 1000 hours.