Category Archives: Lighting

Tape lights, also called strip lights, can make a huge difference in the lighting design in your Phoenix home or commercial space. These compact lights arranged along a single strip can have a wide range of uses, from under-cabinet lighting to lining art frames to illuminating shelving. Here\’s what you need to know about tape lights and how to use them.

Benefits of Tape Lights

Thanks to their compact size, strip lights are suitable for a variety of areas where traditional lightbulbs would not fit or be aesthetically pleasing. They provide soft illumination for small areas, though they typically won\’t provide much light for the room at large. Tape lights are better-suited for lighting small, specific areas. Their purpose tends to be more aesthetic than functional.

Choosing the Right Tape Lights

When it comes to strip lighting, you\’ll have a lot of options available to you at a wide range of price points. Take care to choose a high-quality variety. While some strip lights are highly affordable, they may not be of the best quality. This can result in diminished light, defeating the purpose of adding the tape lights.

Of course, high cost is not necessarily indicative of quality, so be sure to do your research before making a final decision. The experts here at Turn It On Electric will be happy to help you evaluate your options to choose the most appropriate style for your particular use.

Creating Ambience with Strip Lighting

Depending on the occasion, you may not necessarily want bright lighting throughout a room. If you are entertaining guests in the evening, for example, you\’ll want to create a festive mood that encourages conversation. Strategically placed tape lights around artwork, under cabinets or along shelving can provide just enough light to set the tone while not overpowering the atmosphere. Personalize the ambiance even further with a selection of optional features.

Customizing Your Tape Lighting

During the installation process, your electrical technician can connect your strip lights to a light switch for easy, convenient use. You also have the option of adding a dimmer switch, letting you adjust the lighting design as needed. With some modern strip lighting, you may even have the option to choose various colors for the lights. This option is most common among LED varieties. Adding these features can give you greater control over your lighting, making it more versatile and adaptive.

Quick, Easy Tape Light Installation

If you are interested in adding tape lighting to your home or business, the Turn It On Electric team is here to help. We\’ll work with you to understand your vision for your lighting design so that we can make appropriate recommendations. We\’ll help guide you in choosing the best strip lights for your space.

We can help with the installation process as well, running any necessary wiring and adding any extra features you\’d like. Our lighting experts can help you transform your space with tape lighting, so call us today for a free consultation to discuss your ideas.

We all know the struggle of waking up and getting ready in the mornings. Wouldn\’t it be great if there was a way to make this process easier on your mind and body? In fact, there is. Closet lights come in a wide range of color temperatures, and selecting the right one can make it easy to transition into wakefulness so you can start your day refreshed and ready to go.

All About Closet Lights

It may seem obvious that closets, especially large walk-ins, should have lights, but it is remarkable how many home builders don\’t include this feature. For many builders, closet lights are an afterthought, if they are included at all. If your home did come equipped with closet lights, they are likely of the fluorescent variety or some other cheap installation.

While fluorescents are fine for providing light, they won\’t do much for your mood and self-esteem in the mornings. Instead, look for light bulbs that mimic daylight. Being exposed to sunlight first thing in the morning can help you to wake up, and lights that create this effect can be helpful as well.

Benefits of Closet Lights

The most obvious benefit of having lights in your closet is that you\’ll be better able to see what you are doing when getting ready in the morning. As mentioned previously, choosing the right color temperature for your lights can help ease you into your day by helping you to wake up.

In addition, the right lighting can do wonders for your self-esteem. When you look good, you feel better about yourself, which can have positive repercussions throughout your day. In establishing your closet lighting, don\’t just put lights overhead, as this can cause harsh shadows. Aim to fill in the lighting from the sides as well, like with sconces or wall lights, to help you look and feel your best.

Closet Light Variations

Closet lighting typically comes in two primary categories: battery-powered and hard-wired. If your home doesn\’t have the necessary wiring in place to support lights in your closet, battery-operated lights may seem like an easy solution. While this can be true temporarily, it is not the best long-term decision.

Batteries run out over time, so you\’ll need to replace them periodically. The hassle of doing this may make you less likely to use your closet lights. Then, you\’ll lose out on all the benefits. In addition, you may notice your lights dimming as the batteries begin to run low.

Hard-wiring your lights may require a bit more expense and effort upfront, but you\’ll be rewarded in the long run. Once the lights are in place, you\’ll only have to replace the bulbs every once in a while. With modern LED lights, you may not have to replace them for many years down the line, given their longevity.

To help save electricity, you also have the option of choosing lights that are motion-activated. This way, the lights will only turn on when you actually need them. If you forget to turn them off in the rush to get out the door in the morning, they\’ll turn themselves off after you have been out of the room for a few minutes.

Call Us for Closet Light Installation

If you need wiring installed in your closet to accommodate new lights, Turn It On Electric is here to help. We\’ll run any necessary wires and get your new closet lights installed quickly and efficiently. You can always count on us to clean up after ourselves, so there is no need to worry about us making a mess of your closet. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment.

When you are working on a DIY project or other hobbies, including arts and crafts with your kids, you\’ll need to have plenty of light to see what you are doing. Without enough light, you run the risk of making errors in your work or even injuring yourself in the process. To get the illumination you need to work safely and accurately, you have many lighting options available to you. Two of the most common choices are can lights and lamps. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so keep reading to learn how to decide which is best for you.

All About Can Lights

Can lights, also called recessed lights, are fitted directly into your ceiling. This gives them an overall appearance that is sleek and elegant. The simple styling of these types of lights makes it easy to fit them into just about any decorative style. You\’ll also have a number of options to choose from in terms of finish, allowing you to complement your home\’s paint colors.

This type of lighting can provide ample overhead lighting throughout the room. Depending on the fixtures you choose, you may also get dimming capabilities to allow you to adjust the lighting for other purposes besides work. However, because the light comes from above, you may find that you end up with shadows on your work area. You\’ll need to install several lights in strategic places throughout the room to minimize shadows as much as possible.

One of the key benefits of recessed lights is that you won\’t have to worry about your kids messing with them, as they are fully out of reach. However, you won\’t be able to change the angle of the lights as you would with specialized task lighting. You\’ll also likely need to call in a professional for the installation unless your home is already wired for overhead lighting.

All About Lamps

Lamps give you greater flexibility in terms of where to place your lights. You\’ll also be able to choose from many different styles, including table lamps, floor lamps, and desk lamps. You\’ll have a plethora of options in terms of aesthetics, with many different colors, finishes and shade styles available. This way, your lamps can serve as decorative pieces as well as functional ones.

With the exception of task lamps, many other lamps may not necessarily provide the brightness you need to work. Because of this, you may need to have more lamps than you initially might think in order to get the illumination you need. You will, on the other hand, have a bit more control over where you direct the light. This will enable you to get the light exactly where you need it while working.

Finally, you\’ll be free to move your lamps around as your needs change, which you can\’t do with can lights. This does expose them to a bit more risk from rambunctious children, but you\’ll get the benefits of greater affordability as well. You also won\’t need to do any construction to install them. Simply plug your lamp into a standard wall outlet, and you\’re good to go!

Get Help Installing Your Can Lights

If you are interested in learning more about installing can lights or other lighting styles in your home, the Turn It On Electric team is here for you. We\’ll evaluate the current wiring in your home to let you know what needs to be done to accommodate can lights. We\’ll provide you with a free quote before we get started, so call today to schedule a consultation appointment.