Picture lights are used to enhance your home or business by highlighting a special piece of artwork, a photograph, or even an important document such as your diploma or certification. Choosing the proper picture lights is importane. It will affect how the piece you are highlighting is presented, how its condition is maintained, and how long it will last. Picture lights should be both chosen and placed carefully. Utilize the following three general principles when choosing picture lights.

Principle # 1

Remember when displaying artwork or an important document to keep it away from direct sun light. This damage, which can be fading or discoloring, is irreversible. Lux is the unit that measures light. Sunlight is measured at 20,000 units of lux, in comparison to the 50-150 units of lux in lights specifically made for pictures. Therefore, if you have chosen to display a great piece of artwork or painting in a sunny room, make sure you place it out of direct sunlight’s reach. A room with little to no sunlight will give your lights the best lighting potential.

Principle #2

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are another dangerous factor of light that can and will be damaging to a piece of art. There is a plethora of information sharing UV dangers to our skin and eyes, but these rays are also destructive to an artwork’s color and hues. Picture lights usually come as incandescent, but you will need to double check. There are some picture lights, such as tube fluorescent picture lights, that produce UV rays. If you find this, you can request or pay for a protective film or sleeve to filter out the UV rays in the picture lights before hanging.

Principle #3

Some pieces of artwork or photographs are displayed in a frame where the light is attached directly to it. Unfortunately, this way of hanging a light for pictures can cause heat directly to/on the displayed item, which will cause irreparable damage. Instead, hang the lights within a reasonable distance away from what you have decided to showcase. This will be beneficial to both the artwork and the spectator’s view.

Types Of Lighting

There are many types of lighting for you to choose from. One style of picture lights is track lighting. This is a smart choice for picture lights when you have a number of items set up right next to one another or in a common area. There are also wall mounted lights for pictures to place above the item or below the item for a distinct cast of light. There is the sconce style of lighting, a lamp, and also a bulb in the shape of a tub for you to use. Some lighting manufacturers have developed lighting products that give a pure, clear, and gentle light to lessen any discoloration that might be caused by lighting. You can also choose from a wide array of colored bulbs to give your art or document a unique decorative tone.

By investing in proper lighting for your pictures, you will be making a smarter overall investment both for financially (saving money in your pocketbook) and sentimentally (making your daughter’s artwork last longer). Take a look at a general lighting store, a specialty store, a home improvement store, or even online to see what interests you.

Margarette Tustle writes for home, office, and family. For further information on lights and other ideas regarding lighting go to daalight.com