Malia Lighting Design

09/06/2023

Shouldn't you be able to enjoy the beauty of your yard after dark. Subtle landscape lighting goes a long way for aesthetics, safety and security.

02/07/2022

Thinking of adding pendants in your kitchen, consider one oversized pendant instead of multiples. http://www.malialightingdesign.com

01/08/2022

Lighting 2.0

Since it seems we are spending a bit more time in our homes today, I thought it might be helpful to share a few of my favorite lighting tips. Utilizing these tips will definitely make your house feel much more like your home.

One of the most common mistakes made in lighting a home is to only light a room from the ceiling. Lighting a room exclusively from a ceiling creates harsh shadows and glare. This tends to make a room feel cold and uninviting. In order for a room to feel cozy and comfortable we need to “humanize” the lighting.

A good lighting plan plays a very important role in the overall feel and function of a room. It allows ones eyes to focus on the important aspects of a room. Perhaps this plays a more important role than most people think.

Where to start? Options are endless and can certainly be a bit overwhelming. Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind.

Layering Light: Adding lamps to a space including kitchen and bathroom counters can elevate the functionality as well as add warmth to a room. Add light to some of your favorite wall art. Ideally these fixtures are hard wired, however, this can also be done quite economically using battery powered or rechargeable picture lights. Add under cabinet lighting to your kitchen and laundry rooms. This is considered task lighting and will make these rooms more comfortable to work in. The addition of wall sconce lighting adds a tremendous amount of warmth to any room. Another trick is to add uplight. This can be done by concealing lighting behind a large plant, which will provide the added benefit of creating beautiful art shadows on the wall and ceiling.

Color: This is key, as light defines the color of everything in your room. Just remember color is completely defined by the light it is seen in. Where this can get tricky is when using LED light sources. You will need to better understand what the Kelvin temperature of the light is and be sure to keep it consistent in a room. My two favorite color temperatures in residential lighting are 2700 and 3000. The lower the kelvin the warmer the light.

DimmingControls: This is one of the most important aspects of lighting design as it gives you maximum control of the amount of light you are using at any given time. Simply by replacing a wall switch with a dimmer will make a world of difference in a space. Having more control over the brightness in a room will go a long way in balancing the light and creating the warmth we want in a room. One caveat is to be sure the dimmer you choose is compatible with your light source. This should mitigate any unwanted flickering.

For more lighting tips and information visit http://www.malialightingdesign.com

12/06/2021

As lighting continues to evolve, it's always fun to check out some of the latest trends in lighting.

It's easier than you think to find your style. Check out the newest trends in lighting and how to achieve them in your own home lighting designs.

08/27/2021

Five things we know about lighting.
1. In most areas we need dimmers
2. There is much more to lighting than using recessed cans
3. Lighting is subjective and depends on both who and how you use a room.
4. LED's don't last quite as long as we were told.
5. The wrong LED color temperature can ruin the look of a room

06/10/2021

Lighting is an ever changing medium, but the basics remain the same.

We shed light on the top styles and latest technology.

05/09/2021

Black is back. It's the new neutral and the finish of choice that can make a dramatic statement, or simply is happy complimenting a room and those around it. As a finish it's a classic that never goes out of style...Think the little black dress.
All fixtures by Kichler. http://www.malialightingdesign.com

05/02/2021

Lighting Kitchens

Change Your Lighting…Change Your Mood.

Our kitchens have become the most hardworking part of our home. It’s where we are spending more time than ever before. A mistake I frequently see is overlooking lighting when doing a kitchen renovation. We have been living with our randomly installed builder lighting for so long that we simply don’t give it a thought, except to perhaps replace a tired fixture. The reality is there are many areas in a kitchen to light which will enhance both the functionality and bring life to your new cabinets and countertops. The formula is using multiple layers of light which gives the space a feeling of warmth. Unfortunately most of our homes are designed with simply overhead lighting systems which tend to create an “all or nothing” effect and offer up a fair amount of glare. Another application to warm up a room is to use dimming controls to adjust your light levels and allow you to use just the right amount of light needed.

Including a lighting budget in your renovation project will allow you to add a few more layers of light, which is the secret to experiencing the joy your new kitchen brings for many years to come. http://www.malialightingdesign.com

03/30/2021

Lighting is one of the most important elements in a home. Avoid some of the most common mistakes in lighting. Check out these tips before you renovate or redecorate.

Use Multiple Layers of Light. ​ This adds dimension to your room as well as giving you maximum flexibility with your lighting. Using a single chandelier in a dining room can become a glare-bomb...

11/07/2020

Great ideas for using led strip lighting!
https://blog.lightstyles.com/9-mind-blowing-uses-for-led-strip-lights/

08/22/2020

Love the look of two oversized pendants above a large island..