In a fancy restaurant, you’ve probably been amazed by the mood-setting atmosphere. The subtleness of the task lighting above your table, paired with the specific accent lighting on walls, highlighting tasteful decor, gives you that romantic feeling without you having to worry about… well, eating in the dark. You can thank track lighting for all these feels. Track lighting uses multiple lights on a rail system, pointing in different directions to create a dynamic effect on an object, wall, or surface. So how does a home use track lighting, and where might you be missing opportunities to provide unmatched ambiance? As it turns out, track lighting was first made popular in home decor… so, it’s worth considering as you decide on lighting for your main living spaces.

Kitchen Track Lighting

All dream kitchens have impeccable lighting. However, a common problem is when homeowners add a few fluorescent light bulbs to fixtures and quickly turn a light and bright kitchen into a sterile-feeling hospital; this is called overspill. With track lighting in the kitchen, you will be able to feature specific areas with a light, create versatile task areas with purposed light, and give other areas enough shadow to create a dynamic, dramatic effect. There are many track lighting kits on the market, so you can find the exact look and feel you’re aiming to achieve.

Track Pendants

Track Pendants in the kitchen are the low hanging lights from the rail system that create ideal task lighting. These are typically seen above kitchen islands, and dining room tables.

Track Heads

Track Heads are adjustable directional light heads that are attached to a rail system. They don’t hang down low like the track pendants, but are still able to spotlight sections of the kitchen. The best use for these are in general lighting, or using it on cabinetry to feature spectacular craftsmanship.

Track Lighting for Hallways

If you have a long corridor that is plain and dreadful to walk, you can spruce it up with some wall washing or grazing.

Wall Washing

This technique creates a downward gradient effect that gives visual interest to the room. This should be used with a non-textured wall, as it is intended to create an even illumination across the entire surface. This would be a great choice if you have a pieces of artwork – a mural, gallery wall, or large canvas – that you’d like to feature.

Wall Grazing

Wall Grazing is a technique that puts the track lighting right up against the wall. This will show all the textures of the wall. It’s best to use specifically to showcase just that. Think stucco, natural stone, wallpaper with texture, or custom woodwork: custom grazing is possible.

Bedroom track lighting is a rare gem. The use has two ways. But if done right, it can create a cozy, dramatic, mood-setting environment that you’ll love and never want to leave.

Dimmers

In a bedroom, you want to be able to set the mood at a moment’s notice. So it’s best to hook up your track lighting on a dimmer, so you can adjust the light accordingly.

Ceiling Fans

Most bedrooms have a ceiling fan of some sort and if you are looking to get a track lighting system in the room, you have to make sure the light doesn’t spillover onto the fan blades that can create busy shadows.

Having Track Lighting Installed

One of the best features about track lighting is that after the installation, you can easily tweak it as you like, to customize it to your home to give your ceiling and walls some real character. If you are looking to have track lighting installation in the Greater Seattle area, Wire Craft is here to help. Call us today at 206-855-5061, or drop us a line with questions.