Don’t Wait to Illuminate

We’re about to dive into our home renovation, and lighting is really important to my husband and me. What steps should we be taking to prioritize great lighting in our home? — Homeowner, Kahala

You’re already off to a great start thinking about the lighting in your home before construction begins. Oftentimes, lighting is an afterthought that is brought up at the end of a renovation project, which is really limiting when you think about how much is involved with installations. Sometimes walls are already closed, or homeowners don’t have the ability to put electricity in certain areas of the home where they realize they want it, but now it’s no longer an option. With the magic of HGTV, everything looks so easy and straightforward when you see the final product of a renovation, but when it comes to construction, there is so much pre-planning involved. That is why blueprints and storyboards are created.

People don’t realize how important lighting is to create an ambience in their home. Generally, people spend the bulk of their time at home in the evenings, when lighting becomes even more critical. We help customers understand the fundamentals of light layering, which focuses on ambient, task and accent lighting. Different light fixtures and lighting controls can be used and combined to enhance the home’s overall design and create different moods and scenes. And now with the advent of LED lighting, the options are endless when it comes to lighting design — from seamless under-cabinet lighting to concealed up-lighting, cove lighting, seamless channels and more.

When customers schedule a free consultation at Dial, our first step is to send them our Dial Lighting Checklist. This questionnaire helps us identify their lighting needs and goals, and get an idea of where they are in their building process. It is helpful for us to know if they are working with a contractor, if they have established blueprints, and where they are in the construction process, so we know what lighting options to present to them and then work collaboratively to help them reach their lighting goals.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact Dial Electric Supply Co. Inc. at dialelectricsupply.com or (808) 845-7811. 

Above image: The varying shapes and heights of Kichler’s bell-shaped Everly pendants add artistic flair to this timeless kitchen. Designed for versatility and customization, their soft glass shapes add ambient lighting to complement the kitchen’s elegant under-cabinet LED glow. Browse Kichler’s Everly pendants and more at Dial Electric Supply Co. Inc.

“Ideally, we are hoping homeowners call us when they’re in the process of designing their home, rather than when they are finished, so that we can help them consider their lighting needs and plan ahead together.”— Kyle Kamakura

Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.