Lighting key to 'pulling a space together'

When Steve Sheinkopf moved into his townhouse in the South End, the two-floor building was dark and empty. But Sheinkopf, sales manager and third-generation family member of Yale Lighting and Appliance, took on the challenges of renovating the unit, using the best lighting from his Boston store.

The result: a contemporary chandelier hangs over his dining room table, under-cabinet lighting illuminates the kitchen, a sleek floor lamp glows in a reading nook.

"Lighting is the key to pulling a space together," says Sheinkopf. "If chosen correctly, it's as important as a good piece of furniture. It adds a finishing touch and reflects your taste."

But walk into a lighting showroom and the effect can be blinding. The $2 billion residential lighting industry has "hundreds to thousands of manufacturers out there," says Joe Rey-Barreau, educational consultant for the American Lighting Association, an industry trade group in Dallas. "The choices can be confusing because there are so many options."

Good lighting consists of layering a combination of three types of light in each room: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting, such as track, recessed, and chandeliers, typically illuminates a wide area, while task lighting, such as desk lamps or pendants, helps you do specific chores like reading or cooking. Accent lighting adds interest to architectural features or artwork.

"The basic lighting equation is put light where you need to see [task and ambient lighting] and add accent lighting as your budget allows," says Sheinkopf, who started out remodeling his townhouse by adding wall sconces in the hallway and pendant lights over his kitchen island.

If you are installing an entire lighting system in new construction, plan on spending up to 1 percent of the house price on lighting; for renovations or individual projects, there are few rules, since buying lighting is like buying art -- "if you like it, and the price seems right, you'll probably buy it," says Rey-Barreau.

Kitchens and baths are typically the most difficult rooms to light because of space constraints. For his bathroom, Sheinkopf used the principle of cross-illumination -- putting lights on either side of a sink versus directly above -- to prevent shadows while grooming or shaving.

For his kitchen, he installed recessed fixtures following the formula of 24-30 inches away from the cabinet and 4-5 inches apart. "A misconception of lighting is that if you put a big fixture in the middle, it will light the whole room, but that creates a too bright center with dark shadows in the corner," says Sheinkopf. "Recessed lighting, along with pendants, add a nice light layering effect."

Other elements to consider when planning lighting include furniture placement, paint finishes, ceiling heights, wall space, the use of dimmers, and personal preferences.

Susan Arnold, a lighting consultant at Wolfers Lighting, based in Waltham and Allston, explains that different bulbs bring out variations in colors and textures. The pure, white light of halogen simulates sunlight, while incandescent bulbs have a yellow or warmer tone, which many people prefer.

Whatever fixture you choose, says Sheinkopf, who writes a blog for Yale about lighting and appliances, cables should hang straight, transformers should work, the light should not flicker, and the quality of the construction should have integrity, including fit and finish.

In one of his latest blog entries, Sheinkopf recommends brands like Techlighting, "a profusion of colors and styles," and an artsy chandelier made by Schonbek. "Well-designed lighting does not have to cost a fortune and is integral to the environment," he says.