The popularity of log homes has been growing since the 1970s. Feeling warm and cozy in your special place is a great way to escape from a fast-paced world. The atmosphere and aesthetic appeal that comes with a home takes careful planning before adding the first log.
The Log and Timber Homes Council at the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) offers valuable information on staying green and energy efficient while capturing the charming feel of your dream log cabin. One factor often missed in the excitement of designing your rustic decor is the complex installation of efficient lighting. Learn the different facets of the quality of light and not just the beauty of the fixtures. Experts in lighting are worth every dime that you will spend.
Log cabin lighting ideas can provide endless possibilities in using proper general, task, and accent lighting. Layers of light may seem unnecessary, but wood on the walls and ceilings will absorb precious light. Be sure your budget reflects this. Here are some rustic log cabin lighting ideas you can prepare for the type of comfort you want in your home. Most retail outlets sell a wide-ranging system of lighting fixtures based on style, quality, and price.
Table of Contents
- Ambient Lighting
- Task Lighting
- Accent Lighting
- Natural Lighting
- Outdoor Lighting
- Indoor Lighting Ideas
Ambient Lighting
Most people think of ambient or general lighting when entering a dark room. A switch by the door is a great option for turning on overhead lights that fill the scope with illumination for the entire room. However, you can wire wall sconces and floor lamps to fill the room with general lighting.
Task Lighting
Task lighting gives you increased lighting conditions for specific areas. Remember those little light bulbs on sewing machines that lit up the path for your stitching? Well, this is like those only with better light and range. Under-the-counter lights, rustic table lamps, and wall-mounted adjustable swing-arm lamps are examples of how you can specify lighting to your needs.
Accent Lighting
A little more complicated than ambient and task lighting, accent lighting highlights an area with indirect lighting. Installing a beam angle can highlight a beautiful painting or draw attention to a textured wall. We place indirect lighting at an angle above or below the target that softly illuminates areas to create a mood or attention.
Natural Lighting
Light from the sun is the most natural light available for lodge lighting needs. Facing your house in specific directions can help to increase or decrease natural light levels.
Outdoor Lighting
The beauty of the exterior of log cabin features can be intensified with bright lighting along pathways. Outdoor lighting of log cabin shrubs and trees can bring natural elements to a highlighted status. For example, the right garden lighting inspiration can make focal points out of beautiful plants and sculptures.
Many types of outdoor lights can make or break the exterior look of a log house property. If you are unfamiliar with the 5 Rules of Outdoor Universal Lighting Design, ask your contractor or landscape artist to fill you in. Lighting is different for outdoor lighting than for indoor lighting. You may be so busy placing indoor lighting that you overlook your outdoor needs.
Running electrical lines and following local codes can be costly. Get an estimate for outdoor lighting while your log home is in the planning stages. Be sure and include motion sensors for areas where visitors may approach. Adding a layer of light along paths can help to prevent falls.
Indoor Lighting Ideas
Before the electrical system of lighting fixtures, dimmer switches, and track lighting installation into log walls and ceilings, every location will need to be mapped in a lighting plan. This is the best time to decide on how you want your interior design ideas to look.
Kitchen Ideas
Rail lighting is a great way to give your log home kitchen reasonable overhead lighting. They hide the electrical wires within a strip bolted to beams for easy removal if you tire of the look. We can adjust the light beam to filter into areas where you might need more or less light. Because dark wood can decrease your light by as much as 50%, many homeowners favor rail lighting to track lights.
Pendant lights over a kitchen island are a way to add rustic lighting needs of ambient or task lighting. Pine cone lighting can make a great piece for displaying feature lighting. Cabinet lighting with LED strips is an easy way to keep enough lighting on countertops for cooking tasks.
Living Room And Great Room Ideas
Living areas often have cathedral ceilings with ceiling fans for air circulation. Recessed lighting and natural light combined are great ideas for keeping a lot of light in large spaces. If unique architectural features are present, make the most of them with rustic cabin lighting fixtures.
For example, a large stone fireplace can add a feel of a rustic retreat when light sources are mixed with natural materials. Don’t forget the accessories for adding color and texture to your excellent lighting and rustic lamps. A bowl of scented pine cones that remind you of pine trees or a metal sculpture that depicts a galvanized windmill as a wall ornament are good examples of charm.
Ceiling light fixtures can also comprise a row of pendant lights or a large rustic chandelier. Cabin lighting fixtures can take on different looks depending on your modern version of rustic. From wagon wheel or antler chandeliers to modern crystal lights, there are cabin light fixtures to capture a delightfully rustic look with warm furnishings.
Other Living Spaces
A dining room can benefit from a proportionate rustic design chandelier. A creative branch arm can make the room feel sophisticated and rustic at the same time. A bedroom with destination lighting on wall sconces can provide a modern touch to home lighting instead of bedside lamps.
Nothing will make a home office more inviting than rustic lighting fixtures such as table lamps. A touch of metal or wood will bring the right amount of warmth into the room. You benefit from highlighted layers of light in your workspace and a more relaxed mood.
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Karen Gillan, Senior Writer
Experienced Writer with 20+ years. Demonstrated writing experience includes technical writing, magazines, story writing, and journalist projects. Karen has a powerful media and communication background with academic training from LaSalle University (architecture, interior design) and business college courses. She loves editing novels and contributed to a national art journal.
