How to Light Art Work - 4 Simple Ways
Lighting that painting on the wall is just as important as the art work itself. Good lighting not only draws attention to the art work, but also breathes life into it. This article highlights 4 simple types of lighting you can use to light your art.
Floor Lights
These are small portable canisters that cast light upwards. You simply place the floor light in a position that casts light upwards towards the art piece or picture on the wall. They’re quite inexpensive, but can be quite obstructive if they’re placed on the floor. A suggestion would be to position some plants below the art piece, using the plant to hide the floor light – but by doing this; you need to make sure that the plant itself does not obstruct the light that is directed at the wall.
Track Lights
Track lights are light fixtures mounted on a track on the ceiling. They can be angled to direct light to the art piece on the wall, or simply to add some area light to the wall. They can be used to illuminate multiple pictures and also provide room lighting at the same time. Track lights are also inexpensive and flexible. If you had to reposition an art piece, all you need to do is re-adjust your track light to direct the light at the new position on the wall.
Recessed Lights
Recessed lights are flushed into your ceiling. They’re unobtrusive and can blend very well with your home decor. Recessed lights are built into your ceiling, so it can be quite expensive to install as some amount of renovation work is required. Some recessed lights also feature fixtures that can be angled in different directions so that you can direct light towards the art.
Picture Lights
Picture lights direct light at individual pictures. They can be attached easily to the picture frames or to the wall above or below the picture. Many picture lights come in different styles that can compliment the frame or the art work that it’s illuminating. Using picture lights brings about its own set of problems. The electrical power cord that powers the light needs to be hidden from view, otherwise it will be an eyesore. There are several ways to deal with this – either by installing an electrical outlet behind the picture, such that the cord is hidden, or to have an electrician wire the device into your electrical system in the wall. The second option takes more planning, and needs to be incorporated during the construction of your home.
Floor Lights
These are small portable canisters that cast light upwards. You simply place the floor light in a position that casts light upwards towards the art piece or picture on the wall. They’re quite inexpensive, but can be quite obstructive if they’re placed on the floor. A suggestion would be to position some plants below the art piece, using the plant to hide the floor light – but by doing this; you need to make sure that the plant itself does not obstruct the light that is directed at the wall.
Track Lights
Track lights are light fixtures mounted on a track on the ceiling. They can be angled to direct light to the art piece on the wall, or simply to add some area light to the wall. They can be used to illuminate multiple pictures and also provide room lighting at the same time. Track lights are also inexpensive and flexible. If you had to reposition an art piece, all you need to do is re-adjust your track light to direct the light at the new position on the wall.
Recessed Lights
Recessed lights are flushed into your ceiling. They’re unobtrusive and can blend very well with your home decor. Recessed lights are built into your ceiling, so it can be quite expensive to install as some amount of renovation work is required. Some recessed lights also feature fixtures that can be angled in different directions so that you can direct light towards the art.
Picture Lights
Picture lights direct light at individual pictures. They can be attached easily to the picture frames or to the wall above or below the picture. Many picture lights come in different styles that can compliment the frame or the art work that it’s illuminating. Using picture lights brings about its own set of problems. The electrical power cord that powers the light needs to be hidden from view, otherwise it will be an eyesore. There are several ways to deal with this – either by installing an electrical outlet behind the picture, such that the cord is hidden, or to have an electrician wire the device into your electrical system in the wall. The second option takes more planning, and needs to be incorporated during the construction of your home.
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