"Let there be light," is an oldie but a goodie, reminding us that lighting has been respected as a big project since... well... the beginning. It also reminds us that lighting is the domain of experts. So, do-it-yourselfers, sit back and relax guilt-free because you have no business tinkering with the wiring. Ouch ! Zap! Not only that, making lighting look right is no small matter. Work with the experts to make sure your lighting projects are Done Right!

1. Learn some basic lightin' lingo.

   Lighting Categories

   • Ambient - Fills room, eliminates shadows and is good for basic tasks.
   • Task - A higher level of illumination suited for work. (It may sound funny, but good light is a real plus when you're chopping tomatoes with your Global knife or shaving your Adam's apple with a 2-year old disposable Bic).
   • Decorative - Provides visual focus to an area or sector of a room without appearing too bright.
   • Accent - Highlights a specific object - a piece of art, a vase, even a window.
   • Wall - Brightens vertical surfaces, very often used to make spaces appear larger

   Light Bulbs

   • Incandescent - This is Edison's baby - it generates light by heating a thin filament wire in a vacuum (the light bulb) until it glows white hot.
   • Halogen - A more intense form of incandescent lighting that adds gas to the vacuum of a regular light bulb allowing for more glow and, as a bi-product, producing far more heat. Halogen is amazing lighting, but poses very real design and installation challenges. Done wrong, it's a fire waiting to happen.
   • Fluorescent - Three to five times the energy efficiency of ordinary incandescent bulbs and up to 20 times longer lasting. Often mandated by building departments in commercial projects for kitchens and bathrooms. But lots of folks don't like the "flicker," the color of the light and the hum reminiscent of a run-down 3rd grade classroom.

   Light Fixtures

   • Pendants - Hang from ceiling on a rod or chain.
   • Wall fixtures - Affixed to wall, can light up or down or to the side.
   • Ceiling fixtures - Unlike pendants, these are mounted directly to ceiling. Also called flush mounts.
   • Portables - Table or floor lamps, typically plugged into wall.
   • Recessed - Also called cans, shine down through a hole in the ceiling.
   • Cove - Typically concealed behind, under or on top of a cabinet, reflecting light off ceiling or wall.
   • Track lighting - Beam - or "bare wire" -- mounted to ceiling with moveable lights.
   • Outdoor - Considered its own category due to specific safety and weather constraints. Entry, security and landscape lighting are the most common. Pool lighting, fountains -- anything underwater -- is a very specialized job.
2. Shop, shop, shop. Any good interior designer or lighting specialist will tell you to pick up home decorating magazines to ogle what's hot in lighting. But be warned: lighting prices vary wildly and, sometimes it seems, randomly. Lighting is often underestimated in renovation budgets. Fixtures can range anywhere from $100-$1000, or more. The good news is that the knock-off industry has a foothold in the lighting world so chances are your home center will have something similar to that higher end Italian version that makes you drool. Also, your electrician may have a relationship with a manufacturer and receive significant discounts – ask to see his or her catalogs.

New Construction. Electrical comes before your ceilings and walls are finished. Sooner than you think you'll need to be prepared to answer the following:

• The specs of each lighting fixture (pendant, recessed, how many bulbs, etc). This means you need to know how many lights go in each room and where.
• Where the switches go. This means you'll need to know - who woulda thunk - which way doors open!
• Mirror and cabinet locations to accommodate your kitchen and bathroom lights.

Remodels/Upgrades.

• If your home still has a fuse box, (or, is at least 25 years old), your electrician will – per updated building codes - recommend upgrading to a circuit breaker panel when adding a new fixture. And, probably even when replacing a fixture (particularly if more wattage is needed). Circuit panels accommodate double the amps.
• Replacing or upgrading a fixture might well require touch up to a ceiling or wall, particularly if the new fixture mounts differently or is smaller than the original. Be prepared for paint and retexturing. And, write down exact specs and dimensions of lighting fixtures prior to buying. Show your electrician. Anything that requires re-wiring is going to cost a lot more.

Now that you've solemnly promised to eschew all electrical work with the exception of changing light bulbs, these are the only things you need to be responsible for after your lighting is installed.

• Turn off lights at switch before replacing bulbs;
• Wear gloves when adjusting accent or track lights as they can dole out a mean burn; and
• Follow product specifications for light bulbs... using a bulb too big or small can result in a dangerous "glass grenade" (Pop!) or a fire.