Apartment Lighting Ideas

Survey Your Space

Before you settle on the method of lighting you want to use, consider your square footage and your budget. The more square footage you have, the more lighting you will require. This will mean having to spend more money, than if you are only concerned with a smaller space. It is a good idea to check with the apartment resource manager to find out the accurate square footage, and whether or not you will be allowed to bring in your own method of lighting that could include drilling or adjusting certain features of the apartment ceiling, wall or electrical outlet. You do not want to put a lot of money into a design that you will not be able to follow through with after you have purchased all of the materials.

Halogen Lamps

A rather inexpensive method of lighting an apartment is to use halogen lamps. Halogen lamps are tall, stand up lamps that usually encompass some sort of lamp shade or plastic covering. They tend to give off an excellent amount of light and can last you for quite a while. One halogen lamp per room can easily light up a room without the need for any other assistance. One important note about halogen lamps, however, is that they can become a fire hazard if they are left on for an unforeseen amount of time.

Mood Lighting

Candles are not necessarily the ideal choice for overall lighting in an apartment, but they are definitely a nice touch for a cozy space. In addition to a table lamp or a nightstand, a candle or two can add a calming glow to your bedroom or even an entryway. Buying a pair of wall sconces is another great way to get the same affect as a warm candle. Because apartments can be rather small spaces, it is important to have safety precautions when using candles. Never leave one burning unattended. If you do not want to run the risk of a fire hazard with candles, you can always purchase scent sampling vases that house light bulbs and give off the scent of oils and waxes that are burned directly above them. This is the best of both worlds. You will get an amazing aroma for your apartment and you have the lighting that you need. You can also find scented candles at stores like Aunt Sadie's Candles.

Track Lighting

Track lighting will work well in apartments that have large living room and dining room spaces, or open room for a lounging area. If an apartment does not already come equipped with track lighting, you may need to talk with the apartment manager to make sure it is ok. Track lighting, much like halogen lamps, will provide your apartment with a lot of lighting. Because apartments sometimes allow only limited space to add lighting, it's nice to be creative with your arrangement. Aligning candles along the rim of your bathtub, or placing a Tiffany lamp in the end hall of your apartment, add the light that you need but do so with decor in mind. You can also use the apartment lighting as an opportunity to show off your personal style and your personality. There are plenty of local and online novelty shops that offer lamps that are eclectic or unique. You can even find a replica of the leg lampshade from "A Christmas Story" to put in your very own place. If you prefer to add a bit of retro decor, lava lamps make great evening lighting for some rooms and can even be color coordinated to match your apartment's color scheme.

Natural light in an apartment can sometimes be hard to come by. Depending upon the level of the apartment and the layout of the apartment, windows may not be facing directions where a lot of natural light is able to come in. If you are lucky enough, however, to have some natural light coming your way, it can be a wonderful way to save money on lighting during the day.