The simplest way to show depth is by placing one object behind another object to show space between them. When you place light behind an object, you gain depth and a combination of beautiful shadows with a warm glow that highlights the object for stunning displays or haunting beauty. However, not every design uses – nor should use – the same lighting techniques and principles as every other. So let’s take a look at 4 places to use backlighting that aren’t Instagram pictures.
Alcoves
Alcoves present two opportunities for lighting that are super effective. Placing a small downlight in a small alcove (e.g., a recessed shelf) is a great way to highlight an object. While the room lights are on, this light will cause the items on your shelf to pop out and shine in the room. When the main room lights are off, this dramatic lighting will cast a silhouette that ads asoft intrigue, even if it’s just a shelf of trinkets. Alcoves are also one of the best places to set up indirect lighting. A recession in the ceiling or molding around the ceiling can be filled with low power strip lights that reflect light off the ceiling for a glowing, feathered outline of the room. Reflected light removes many of the spot and halo issues seen in standard lights, much like a diffuser or shade would.
Cabinets
Why should refrigerators have all the fun with internal lighting? Under cabinet lights can be installed inside a cabinet to light up its contents when the door opens. Just mount a light under the individual shelves for even illumination. Using a softer light in your cabinets can make it much easier on the eyes when you get a midnight snack in the dark, too. But that’s just cabinets with doors. If you have permanently open cabinets with designer items, you can light
Furniture
Most backlighting is purely aesthetic. Trimming the underside of chairs and sofas with light can give them the appearance of hovering above the floor. Lighting effects are key for furniture. Backlighting an outdoor bench can provide a romantic backdrop during the night. At times, function is more important than appearance. A backlit bench is easy to find and doesn’t need a flood light. You should also try backlighting a sofa using a wall-wash downlight . The reflected light is great illumination for a favored reading nook where a lamp won’t work.
Screens & Displays
It’s becoming more and more popular to add a light behind TVs and monitors. So popular that some displays come with this functionality built in. It’s a great idea since excess light in a room can wash out the color and sharpness of images on a screen, yet watching a screen in a dark room can strain your eyes. As I mentioned previously in LED task lighting, by placing a light behind the display you move from bright to dark gradually, reducing eye strain. As an added bonus, your eyes won’t hurt when the lights come back on after the movie. Bias lighting is the balance of gradually changing lighting from light to. The recommended color temperature for this light is closer to the blue or “daylight” end of white light. The reason behind suggesting such a harsh white is its effect on the color of the display. Using colored lights – even as an extension of the display color – can reflect back onto the screen and adjust which colors you see. For most people this isn’t an issue – if you’re one of these people, then finding an LED strip light controller that can mimic your display is a brilliant idea. However, if you want to view a film as it’s intended, aim for 5000K or higher. Call Brian Millman Electric today 215.355.6189 for an estimate on backlighting!
It’s no secret that kids love to play in the dark, so why not host a fun glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt this year? Organizing an after-hours egg hunt isn’t hard, but you should add a little extra lighting to your yard in the name of safety. While you’re at it, you can also make some cool light-up decorations your kids will love, such glow stick toadstools, egg shell string lights, or glowing Easter eggs! Here are a few lighting ideas that can make or break your moonlit celebration.
Flashlight
Safety first: flashlights are great tools for keeping an eye on your kids and helping them find eggs if they’re having trouble. These high-intensity, handheld beams of light will help you direct light exactly where you need it can can provide enough illumination to see items in even the darkest areas of your yard. If you don’t already have a flashlight of your own, or as many as you’d like, feel free to browse our selection!
String Lights
As safe as your backyard may be, it’s never wise to let kids run around in complete darkness. Items that are pretty harmless during the day, such as sprinklers, toys, and steps, could easily become hazardous if kept in the shadows—yet too much light would ruin all the fun! Consider hanging mini string lights from tree to tree (or fence to fence) to provide low-level, all-around light coverage over your search area. You may also want to purchase lights in different colors such as pink, blue, and green to give your event some extra Easter cheer, or you could simply cover regular clear string lights with left-over egg shells.
Glow Sticks
Cheaper than giving each child a flashlight, glow sticks are a fun and efficient way to help children with their search. They can also be great decorations for your hunting grounds! All you need to turn a bag of 6-inch glow sticks into these beautiful Enchanted Toadstools is a package of white paper bags and rubber bands. Simply dig small holes in the ground where you want your toadstools (just deep enough so that they firmly stand in the ground), place a glow stick, and cover each one with a white paper bag. Then flatten and fan the top part of the bag to make it look like the top of a mushroom and use a rubber band to hold the bag in place. Line them along pathways in your backyard or use them to create paths of your own that lead to Easter eggs!
Light-Up Eggs
Kids will feel like they’ve found buried treasures when they unearth glowing Easter eggs from their hiding spots! So how do you create these glowing eggs? Typical 4 or 6-inch glow sticks are too large, but 1.5” mini glow sticks can fit snugly alongside candies, change, or other small treats inside your plastic Easter eggs. Since these mini sticks are sold in boxes of 50, you’ll have the perfect amount for your hunt! Just be sure that your Easter eggs are light in color and not too thick so that the lights can shine through.
More Ways to Light Up the Search
• Glow paint or chalk for marking trees and signs
• Small glowing toys to place throughout the yard
• Black lights and neon decorations
• Glowing makeup or face paint
• Glow bracelets and necklaces
• Sparklers
Thanks for reading up on our ideas for brightening up a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt! Using these tips, tricks, and a little of your own ingenuity, we’re sure your moonlit search will be a safe and memorable one. Happy Easter from Brian Millman Electric!
Article by Jessica Banke
Article and photos found on 1000bulbs.com
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