Lighting isn’t usually a priority on the to-do list before a new baby or puppy arrives. And, quite honestly, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves well afterward, as those children and animals grow. (And lighting is everything!) Drew Mihelish and her trusted team members Amanda and Lauren come together to offer some lighting tips that could help with basic daily routine.
Chelsea: Can you offer any design insight that might be helpful to those who have young children at home? Maybe choosing a bedroom on the east or west side of a home where natural and artificial light don't compete with each other?
Amanda: Bare bulb lights and clear glass might be super trendy right now but as you are putting your newborn to sleep it can be glaring and way too bright. I would highly recommend getting a light fixture with either a fabric shade or frosted glass. I would also opt for a warm 27K LED bulb since the warmer glow of a 27k mimics the warm glow of dusk or candlelight that helps create a cozy atmosphere.
Lauren: A dimmer can also be extremely beneficial since the more light you introduce in the middle of the night the more it cues your little one to fully wake up. By keeping the light low it tells them that this is not wake-up time but feeding or swaddling time. Nightlights can be so helpful, especially the kind that are built into the outlets, keeping you from crashing into things in the night, which helps facilitate smooth and calm transitions.
Chelsea: If you're a pet owner, it's likely that you've had to jump out of bed in the middle of the night to let a puppy go do their business outside, or check on the curious sound your cat is making in the garage. What can help us see where our feet are at this time of night without flipping on a bright room light?
Amanda: I have been seeing a lot more people with kiddos putting in step lights with photocells so they don't have to worry about their little ones walking around at night in the complete darkness. I can see this working well for nighttime trips with your fur baby also. This is also a great way to have wayfinding without using an overhead light. Another option would be opting to have a nightlight built into your hallway receptacles.
Lauren: The Satco 65/901 is a great addition for pets. It is a flood light with a motion sensor and a camera. You can use the camera function to check the yard before you let your pet out to make sure there is no other wildlife out there wandering around. It can also assist you when you can’t find your furry friend in the night as it also has a night vision function. It provides security without a subscription. Just install, set up the app, and you are ready to go!
Chelsea: Going to bed can be a feat for toddlers. They often have a long (very long) laundry list of items they need or want to do before bed—to avoid going to bed, of course. Do you have any lighting that can help "set the mood" for the bedtime routine?
Lauren: Smart bulbs are a wonderful tool to help our little ones with their circadian rhythms. Setting different color temperatures for different times of the day will let them know when we are getting up and energized for the start of the day all the way down to "it is time to be quiet and get ready for bed." You can use the app that accompanies the bulbs to set your scenes, so your bulbs work with your schedule.
A word from Drew: I still want to drive home the importance of calling or setting appointments with our lighting consultants to address whatever concerns you may have. Depending on the space and the use of the space will determine many factors that go into lighting the room correctly for each consumer. We are here to help assist you with the smallest of details that can make the largest of impacts.