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lisa_gillespie419

Dreadful Lighting Misstep

9 years ago
Four years ago, we had a new home built. We were new to building and our builder was not exactly helpful in guiding us through the process. We went with an open floor plan, combining the living area, formal dining area, kitchen, and small dining area, creating a huge space. Problem is, no one ever covered how important it was to place electrical outlets in the floor so that lamps and things could be plugged in. The result is a huge space with only recessed ceiling lights. I've resorted to a hideous setup of running an extension cord across one section of the room, using those ugly cord protectors which just draws even more attention to the cord. I need ideas on how to correct my lighting problem without having to take out a second mortgage!

I thought about mounting directional LED lighting in the ceiling, which is high, to light the seating areas, but not sure it would work well. I'm so desperate, I've considered putting up walls. Any ideas on how to correct this without ripping up the flooring and cutting into the concrete slab?

*Please ignore the mess in the picture. Long story, doesn't matter. =)

Comments (21)

  • 9 years ago

    There is no magical wireless electricity. Spend the money to put in floor outlets. They might be able to drill under the slab from the exterior. Consult a designer FIRST for a plan, and then use her electrician.

  • 9 years ago

    Have you spoken with an electrician as to exactly how floor outlets can be added and at how much cost? Sometimes projects aren't as difficult as you think.

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Before you flip over the electrical…can you take photos of the entire space?

    Maybe your furniture can be rearranged…which wouldn’t be a bad thing as the backs are not that attractive.

    You might be able to replace the some of the ceiling lights with pendants and put recessed where the pendants are now.

    I see possibilities….

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  • 9 years ago

    There is such a thing as a wireless extension cord. I have no experience with them so I cannot give any more info.

  • 9 years ago
    JudyG, the seating is centered around the fireplace and TV. I'm open to any ideas at all, but my husband will have a cow if he can't stare straight ahead at the television.

    I thought about pendant lighting myself, but wondered if it would be bright enough to read by at night.

    Here are a couple more pictures from different angles.
  • 9 years ago

    ...and no crawl space?

  • 9 years ago
    No crawl space. :-/ We live in coastal Mississippi. No basements or crawl spaces here.
  • PRO
    9 years ago
    I notice several things. First, the furniture is placed too far away from each other. The rug is too small. Your coffee table is too far away from everyone in the seating area. I couple ottomans might work better. It looks like you have recliners in these pieces so that also complicates your seating area. Lighting. All lighting I can see is hung too high thereby negating their value. Pendants in kitchen and over little table are not helping. I would replace and improve all your lighting. You might be able to use an arc lamp to help with reading light in your seating area. So, there are simple solutions for your space. Just need to plan them out well. Possible change of light bulbs to cooler white LEDs would be first step including under cabinet lighting.
  • 9 years ago
    Use battery-operated lamps
  • 9 years ago

    https://www.modernlantern.com/

    Site for battery powered lamps

  • 9 years ago

    Check out LaurelBernInteriors.com. She has a tutorial on battery powered lighting and lamps.....it is amazing. Or just check out battery powered table lamps on Google or Houzz.

  • 9 years ago

    Replace the ceiling fan with a chandelier. This should add considerable lighting, but if you must have a ceiling fan at least chose one with lighting. It may not be enough for nighttime reading but it's a start!

  • 9 years ago

    You already have a column in this room and its paneling is mirrored the the fireplace. A cabinet maker could produce simpler, un-arched versions as conduits for wiring from an attic as I stated previously.

    I looked up that WIRELESS EXTENSION CORD but the warning makes me think twice about exposing myself to microwaves just so I could put a lamp in the middle of the room.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    There are lots of ways to solve this. In the kitchen add LED strips above and below the upper cabs. Replace pendants hung at proper height above the countertop. Also consider pendants that have more than one bulb.

    Hanging a Kitchen Pendant Light

    While the decorative options for pendant lights are vast, installation is also a key factor to consider for pendant lighting.
    Pendants should hang 12-20 inches below an 8-foot ceiling. For each
    additional foot of ceiling height, add 3 inches. For example, for a
    9-foot ceiling, the pendant should hang 15-23 inches below.The pendant height can also be measured up from the surface below
    the light; provide a 30- to 36-inch clearance above tables and
    countertops. This is the most practical height, especially for pendants
    used for task lighting. Pendants should be hung over work surfaces at a height that doesn't block views across the kitchen.
    Lower the fixtures above your dining tables using the advice above for pendants. Replace bulbs with dimmable LEDs and put them on a dimmer switch. You may be able to turn your formal dining table and have room for a buffet where the wall decor is and add a pair of buffet lamps there.
    Replace the fan with a chandelier or a fandelier. Flank your fireplace with a pair of tables or chests that can be topped with a lamp. Hopefully they can clear the speakers or you can integrate the speakers into an artful arrangement like photo 3 below. Designate a reading corner with a chair, table and lamp near a wall outlet for doing such tasks as reading, sewing on a button, filing your nails, etc.

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  • 9 years ago
    Yes, I literally LOATHE the current pendants over the island (which are too short) and the current chandeliers. They came stock with the house and we didn't have the money to upgrade at the time. Get this, the builder actually told me the pendants didn't come any longer, but our neighbor (same builder) has the exact same pendants in the proper length. Would never recommend our builder to anyone.
  • 9 years ago

    There really is such a thing as wireless extension cords! I just watched a you tube video about it. Check it out! I liked that you can vacuum without the cord getting in the way!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow, Great suggestions from, deco about adding lighting. Down to adding the buffet. Consider several of those options.

  • 9 years ago
    First, every room looks much lighter and brighter when the corners of the room are lit. You do not put over head pot lights over where people sit, it will make them look dreadful, like a horror Halloween thriller. Next, the lights need to be LED on dimmers. Start with getting the corners of this room lit through pot lights and see how much that helps.. Also replace all the bulbs with LED daylights.
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Cordless lighting...check it out https://www.modernlantern.com

  • 8 years ago
    wall sconces should also be considered to help overall lighting.