Before you upgrade your lights, you should know where and how they're best used. The area under cabinets is often dark. If you install fluorescent lights under cabinets, you'll get better light, but red vegetables may look washed out (figure A). Halogen lights are more expensive, but they show truer colors. To highlight your china, install recessed lights inside cabinets (figure B). Several different bulbs are available to provide a variety of color tones. Toe-kick lighting under your cabinets (figure C) is a great way to light the floor without illuminating the whole room. You might also consider installing toe-kick lighting underneath a platform bed. Recessed lighting was once popular in bathrooms. But because it creates undesirable shadows, it's now used less frequently. If your bathroom has recessed lighting, install wall sconces (figure D) on either side of the mirror to eliminate the shadows. Lampshades can change the look of an entire room. For example, a linen shade (figure E) provides general diffusion for good ambient light. Opaque shades (figure F) are best when you want to light an isolated area. Next: Light Bulbs.
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