How to Use Track Lighting

When most people hear the words track lighting, they think of just one or two circumstances where it might be appropriate. Most think that in order to use these fixtures, you need a very large room or hallway, perhaps with vaulted ceilings. The truth is that these come in a wide variety of sizes, styles and designs, making it appropriate in just about any setting. Using Track Lighting in Living Rooms Living rooms are a great place to start, when choosing the right spot to use these systems. If you have a very large room with high ceilings, consider using it to illuminate the entire room by installing it all the way across the ceiling. If, on the other hand, your living area is relatively small, track lights can be used to accent a certain portion of the room or to provide ambiance in addition to other overhead fixtures. Consider using it above a reading area or along a wall where artwork is hung to create extra brightness where you need it most.

Track lighting is also versatile enough to fit in with your living room's existing scheme. Install the fixture in the center of the room if you've already got lamps around the perimeter, or vice versa. You can also install it on a circular ring around your ceiling fan.

When installing track lighting in the living room, your best bet is to choose flexible heads that can be pointed in various directions, especially if your living room is used for multiple purposes. That way, for example, if you have a family gathering in the room, you can disperse the light evenly all over the area; if, on the other hand, you are watching television, you can turn the brightness away from the screen so that they provide illumination without creating glare.

Using Track Lighting in Kitchens
Track lighting is perhaps the ideal choice of illumination for today's kitchen. Versatile, easy to use, and with a clean modern look, these make working in the kitchen much easier than conventional fixtures. Install ones that run parallel with your kitchen countertops to illuminate the work area without casting shadows. Install a strip of track, or even a curved circular track, above the kitchen island to provide space for homework and food preparation. If you have high cabinets with counter space underneath, consider a recessed version below the cabinets so that the dark area below can stay lit. The uses in the kitchen are practially endless.

If you install multiple tracks in the kitchen, try to wire it so that each one can be controlled separately, if possible. That way you can turn accent the cabinets or countertops with a push of a button, while saving energy by not illuminating the entire room.

Other Rooms of the House
Track lighting is a great choice for long hallways, master bedrooms, or bathrooms. Install these in dens, workrooms, and offices. The key is to customize the fixture based on the room itself. If it's a fairly small space with low ceilings, use recessed lighting or track lights with small heads and a high suspension. Larger rooms let you go all out, with dramatic accenting pieces that sweep along the length of the ceiling and add architectural interest. Wherever you choose to put it, keep in mind the basic scheme of the room, and select lights based on the room's design as well as your typical activities in the space.