Statistics show many Americans suffer injuries in their homes each year, and falls are very common. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 8,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each day for fall related injuries, and over one third of adults age 65 and older fall each year. One of the tips the CDC provides for avoiding falls is to improve the lighting in your home. Increasing the light in areas such as the kitchen can also help you avoid other common injuries. There are many simple lighting adjustments you can make to improve the overall safety and comfort in your home.

Check to make sure you have adequate Ceiling Lighting, especially in stairwells. You should also have a light switch installed at the top and bottom of each staircase so the light can be turned on as someone runs up or down the stairs quickly.

Make sure there are adequate night light options in each room of your home, and in hallways, to avoid stumbling in the dark. There are a variety of fixtures that can work as night lights, including Wall Sconces and Table Lamps.

Many accidents occur in the kitchen, so be sure to light countertops and the area around your stove, where cooking takes place. Track Lighting, Under Cabinet Lighting, and FreeJack pendant lights are all options that can help you create a safe cooking environment.

The bathroom can also be a dangerous place without proper lighting. Make sure to include Bathroom Lighting in the areas around your sink and shower, as many falls can occur there.

Don't forget the basement and attic, where there is often minimal light and the clutter of items you do not use everyday. Avoid falls and other injuries while searching through your storage areas by installing Ceiling Lighting or Floor Lamps that can easily light your way.

Many falls and injuries also occur in outdoor areas such as patios and decks, especially after dark. Outdoor Lighting such as Post Lighting, Wall Lighting, Hanging Lights and Landscape Lighting can beautify your property while adding safety around your home.  Fixtures such as step lights can illuminate walkways in your yard, and lanterns can be placed near driveways and other high traffic areas. 

Although some lighting fixtures are created to complement or blend in with other design elements in a room, there are many styles that can stand out as focal points and conversation pieces. Contemporary Ceiling Lighting fixtures are available in a wide array of styles that are eye-catching and unique.

These statement pieces look great in contemporary rooms. If you keep the overall style of the room simple and streamlined, the lighting design will be the center of attention.  Many chic, modern homes have interesting lighting designs that include unique fixtures.

If you want to create a modern look, a creative Contemporary Ceiling Lighting fixture may be the perfect addition to a simple interior design. The fixtures to the left, right, and above are examples of unique Ceiling Lighting designs that make a creative and stylish statement.

There are many types of Ceiling Lighting fixtures that can add a distinctive touch to the decor in your room. Whether you are looking for a Ceiling Lighting fixture for your living room, great room, dining room, hallway, breakfast area, kitchen, ballroom, or bathroom, there are many fixtures which can reflect your personal style.

There are two main types of Ceiling Lighting fixture designs - flush mounts and semi-flush mounts. Flush mounts often have a globe-like design that rests directly against the ceiling. Semi-flush mount designs have a smaller fixture that attaches to the ceiling, while the light itself hangs beneath.

Some Ceiling Lighting styles come in both flush and semi-flush designs. This is one component of Ceiling Lighting to consider when choosing the right lighting fixture for you. You should also consider the existing style in the room. Ceiling Lighting comes in a variety of shapes and sizes that can enhance any interior design.

Traditional Ceiling Lighting

Traditional Ceiling Lights are made with classic characteristics that match traditional interior designs. These styles have timeless appeal that can enhance any traditional room. Many Traditional Ceiling Lights are crafted with fine metals and glass to create a functional look that will last.

Crystal Ceiling Lighting fixtures are both gorgeous and functional. The combination of light and intricately cut crystal in these fixtures is stunning. You can hang a Crystal Ceiling Light in any area that you would like to emphasize with an elegant look.

Contemporary Ceiling Lighting

Contemporary Ceiling Lighting fixtures have sleek designs and modern details. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some are large, eye catching statement pieces that look fabulous in foyers and other open spaces. Other Contemporary Ceiling Lighting fixtures provide a sophisticated look and intimate lighting for smaller spaces.

Antique Ceiling Lighting fixtures mimic the styles of many different historical periods throughout time. These fixtures offer rich style along with the opulent look of antique designs. They enhance the look of rooms that are decorated with charming antique accents.

Transitional Ceiling Lighting

Transitional Ceiling Lighting fixtures combine elements from both traditional and contemporary style, and can act as statement pieces in transitional rooms. Transitional interior design often uses muted colors and a few statement pieces to create a comfortable and stylish look.

Brass and Crystal Lighting

Brass and Crystal Ceiling Lighting designs use a combination of brass and crystal to create a luxurious look. These magnificent fixtures are highly detailed and stylish. They even mimic the look of small chandeliers, and add elegance to any space.

Arts and Crafts Ceiling Lighting

Arts and Crafts Ceiling Lighting fixtures are made with creative flair. They have artistic and creative designs, and can act as unique conversation pieces in any room.

Recessed and Track Lighting is important for circulation and functionality, and it allows you to express a range of moods throughout every room in your home.

Each type of lighting helps achieve a different look.  There are several types of Recessed and Track Lighting to choose from.

Down Lighting

• Uniform Down-Lighting
  Uniform illumination provides a layer of ambient light typically used to provide general lighting on horizontal surfaces. It is important to note that, while useful, uniform illumination typically has the least visual impact on a space.

• Non-Uniform Down-Lighting
  Non-uniform down lighting provides the appearance of pools of light and can provide a more interesting visual appearance. Non-Uniform Illumination is generally accomplished with par or MR16 lamps spaced far enough apart so their beams do not overlap. Spacing is a function of the chosen lamp's beam spread and desired effect.

• Recessed Task Lighting
  Placement of recessed down-lights to facilitate tasks is critical. For counter or work surface tasks, recessed fixtures should be placed between the cabinet face and the front edge of the counter. This position avoids casting of shadows and minimizes veiling reflections.
  
  

When lighting paper tasks, down-lights should be placed on each side of the task to minimize glare and veiling reflections.

• Decorative Pendants Task Lighting
  Decorative pendants provide both functional task lighting and add a visual interest and aesthetic character into a space. Pendants can be used singularly to light over small tables such as in an intimate restaurant or in multiples to light elongated surfaces such as residential kitchen island counters or retail cash wraps or feature displays. For tables, the bottom edge of the pendants should be mounted 30" to 36" above the counter top.

• Accent Lighting on flat artwork
  Flat art is usually illuminated by a source striking its surface at a 30-degree angle. This eliminates glare from bouncing into a viewer's eye, and prevents the casting of a shadow of the viewer onto the artwork.
  
  

• Accent Lighting of three dimensional objects
  "Key and Fill" is an effective technique for accentuating the three dimensional character of an object. This technique entails the use of key and fill lighting from two sides of the object. Key lighting is a hard accent light used to create shadows and to highlight an object's form and texture. Fill light is a softer light thrown from the opposite side of the object to soften the shadows, making the object appear more natural. Other techniques can also be applied to further accentuate the unique character of an object, such as silhouetting and object from behind.