Besides serving a practical purpose, lamps and lightings are also great decorating items for your home. They help to create atmosphere and ambience in various rooms and spaces. Lamps and lightings come in great variety, varying in types, shapes, sizes and designs - ranging from simple to exquisite and vintage...

Light source. Before you start cracking your heads on the types and style of lights for your homes, you should learn about the light source (bulb or tube). How a light shines will depend on the light source that is used to illuminate the fixture or lamp. There are three general categories to choose: incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent.

• Incandescent lamps & lighting - These are the standard light bulbs that you see everywhere. Available in different wattages and shapes, incandescent bulbs emit a yellowish-white light and work well for your general lighting needs.

• Halogen lamps & lighting - Designed to provide maximum light efficiency, halogen lamps and lightings produce a bright, white light, and yield more light than incandescent light bulbs. They also have a longer life span than regular light bulbs.

• Fluorescent lamps & lighting - Fluorescent bulbs and tubes come in different colours, ranging from basic warm white to funkier options, like black light (great for parties or highlighting posters). Fluorescent lamps are chosen for their glowing effect. Besides casting their unique glow, fluorescent lighting uses significantly less energy than other types of bulbs.

Lamp and lighting purposes. There are four main types of lamps and lights: ambient, task, accent and decorative lightings. The description for each are as follows:

• Ambient Lighting - the most basic lighting that brightens a room, allows you to see and traverse the space safely.

• Task Lighting - this type of lighting allows you to perform a specific task or activity. It is generally focused on one particular place – for example, over a chair or over a work table. In addition, kitchen counters and bathroom mirrors are areas where task lighting is utilized within a home.

• Accent Lighting - used to focus attention and are used in curio cabinets to highlight collectables, above paintings to bring out an artist’s technique and colors. They are also directed on walls and ceilings to create a mood.

• Decorative Lighting - the fixture itself provides an element within a room as a decoration. The most common decorative lighting are chandeliers.

• Chandeliers - An elegant lighting option – chandeliers can be used in the dining room, the hallway, foyer, and even a bedroom.

• Ceiling fixtures - Ceiling fixtures are attached to the ceiling. Ceiling light fixtures are primarily used for general lighting purposes and come in many styles and shapes.

• Pendant lights - Suspended from the ceiling, a pendant light hovers over your dining room table or kitchen counter. Pendants usually have shades or globes to prevent glare because they hang low.

• Ceiling fans - Besides offering relief from the heat, ceiling fans also come with lights, providing a dual function.

• Down lights - This type of lighting is placed directly in the ceiling. Down lights, or recessed lights, can be effectively used in all rooms. They help to create mood and atmosphere.

• Track lighting - Track lighting consists of a light or series of lights mounted to a metal track. Just move, swivel, or rotate a light to suit your immediate lighting needs – they are versatile for use.

• Wall-mounted lighting fixtures - Sconces attach to walls, creating a dramatic effect by illuminating the surface of the wall and adding a nice touch of sophistication.

• Swing-arm lamps - Swing-arm lamps are used for nighttime reading and installed on each side of the bed for symmetry.

Lamps & lighting colours. Colours is an important buying consideration for lamps and lighting. If you are looking for:

• a retro design motif – go for solid, bold colours.
• a simpler, more subdued style – go for softer, muted colours
• variety in design – go for floral patterns

To find out where to buy lamps and lightings, go to the Shopping Malls Directory now!