Super Lite

2020

Read This Before Installing Smart Lights

Read This Before Installing Smart Lights

by ·

Imagine getting in bed and then realizing you forgot to turn off the light, but rather than getting up, you use a simple voice command, and all the lights go off. Or imagine you just finished watching a movie and the whole room is dark, but instead of hunting in the dark to find a light switch (and running your knee into your coffee table), you grab your phone and instantly turn on all your lights at the touch of a button. If that sounds like science fiction, the future has arrived, and it’s high time you invest in smart lighting. However, if you’re new to smart home tech, you might not know where to start. You might assume that starts with a smart light bulb, but there are other ways to add smarts to your lighting. So let’s break down some of the basic smart lighting options and help you step into home automation.

Installing Smart Lights In Your Home

Smart Bulbs

Many light bulb manufacturers have developed smart light bulbs. This is often one of the first product people add to make their home “smart”.  If you haven’t heard, a smart bulb is an internet-connected LED light bulb that allows lighting to be customized, scheduled and controlled remotely, usually through a smart phone app.

Smart light bulbs are a great option to achieve automated, remote controlled lighting. The biggest advantage for going this route is that light bulbs are super easy to install and most bulbs are compatible with your current light fixtures, and your preferred digital butler (such as Alexa or Google Assistant). With automatic compatibility, you’ll are able to control light bulbs by voice command and a smartphone app.

When trying to choose what smart bulbs to get, you need to know what your home’s lighting needs are. For example, if your home doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, you will want to make sure your bubbles have a whiter color temperature so that they really brighten up your otherwise dim room. If you’re looking to save money on your utility bill (who isn’t?) then you want to be sure you get smart LED bulbs. Using highly efficient LED bulbs capable of yielding up to 20,000 hours of use while saving you money each month on your power bill.

A smart phone using a smart light app to automatically turn on and off light fixtures

Installing Smart Light Bulbs

Smart light bulbs are super easy and screw right into the existing light sockets you currently have in your home. Once in place you connect light bulbs with an internet connection hub that then allows you to control the light bulbs through a smartphone or other device connected to your router. Once you have them you can then enjoy greater control over the lighting effects in your home and establish automated lighting schedules around your lifestyle.

Check out these smart bulbs

Smart Light Switches

Another option for smart lighting is smart light switches.Smart switches are a great way to make your lighting smart without the hassle of replacing every light bulb in your home. Smart switches are a great option that lets you control your lighting like before, but with some added benefits. With a smart switch, you can manage dimming and use a pop-out remote that will give you easy manual control of your lighting. The great thing about smart light switches is that they will be able to work with your current light bulbs and they make an entire fixture smart, with your current bulbs.

A white dining table with a chandelier and wall lights around it

Installing Smart Light Switches

Installing smart switches can be a little more challenging then light bulbs, but once installed they are not tough to use. If you don’t mind calling in an electrician and you want a fully integrated method of controlling the lighting throughout your home, it’s worth going all-in with smart switches. Light switches are a great option when you can’t find the right-sized light bulbs. Light switches can also be a great option when you have lots of light bulbs that would need to be replaced because it can save you lots of money. As said by The Inventory, “ a single smart switch is more expensive than a single smart bulb, but the bulbs can add up very quickly if you have a lot of fixtures in each room.”

Smart Lights with Our Products

No matter which way you choose to approach smart home lighting, you won’t miss wandering around your home to turn off all the lights before bedtime, or stumbling through the hall to find the light switch for a midnight snack.

If interested in getting smart lighting in your home, check out our website to find the perfect lighting. Our experts have lighting systems that measurably improve wellness and safety in your home. In addition to being the leading healthy lighting provider, we also have the best price, selection, and value for lighting as well. They have options for smart lights bulb and smart light switches. If you have further questions about smart lighting, come visit our store. We are happy to answer all your automotive lighting questions. Hope to see you soon!

3 Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like Spring

3 Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like Spring

by ·

Snow is melting, skies are clear and birds are chirping. Temperatures are rising, daylight lasts longer and the flowers are starting to bloom.

With all this new life in the air, it may be time to breathe new life into your home too! Spring cleaning goes a long way here, as do a few simple décor tips. Here are three of our favorite ways to freshen up a home in the spring!

1. Add a Houseplant

One of our favorite ways to freshen up a space is to add a houseplant. In fact, the benefits go way beyond just aesthetics. Indoor plants can help you work better by improving concentration, memory and productivity.

They are also excellent for cleaning the air. NASA conducted extensive research on the purification qualities of house plants, stating “Low levels of chemicals such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde can be removed from indoor environments by plant leaves alone.”

One last, and obvious, reason to bring in a house plant is that they help us breathe!  Inhaling brings oxygen into the body, and exhaling releases carbon dioxide. During photosynthesis, plants do the opposite. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, making plants and humans a dynamic duo.

2. Add a Splash of Color

Extra color livens and freshens your home, and there are plenty of ways to make this happen. You could paint an accent wall, introduce a new rug or switch out your textiles. We love seasonal toss pillows and blankets—what an affordable way to add personality and flair to your home! Layers of various colors and textures create a unique, fashion-forward design.

3. Update Your Lighting

With their fun shapes, sizes, and colors, light fixtures are like the jewelry of a home. Based on your unique style, there are countless affordable fixtures out there that can freshen up your home.

For example, this golden, floral fixture by Alyssa adds a quaint and airy atmosphere to any space. Or if you’re looking for more ways to add color, this Avery pendant is springy, fresh, and trendy. Check out that decorative bulb!

For an even simpler fix, add a lamp instead of switching a fixture! In addition to improving the quantity of light, lamps like this chunky, modern Naomi piece also bring a fun element of style.

Now is the time to spring into action and add some extra atmosphere to your home! With colorful décor, soothing houseplants, and fashionable new lighting fixtures, spring can be an outdoor and indoor affair. Super Lite is here to help make your projects easier, so visit our blog for ideas or call us with questions!

3 Bathroom Dilemmas We Don’t Talk About Enough

3 Bathroom Dilemmas We Don’t Talk About Enough

by ·

Now that we’ve given plenty of attention to the age-old debate about how to place toilet paper, I think it’s time to move on to something else. A well-lit bathroom can make or break your morning routine, and vanity lighting is a huge part of that! How often do we really stop to consider vanity lighting, however?

We’ve compiled the 3 most vital elements of vanity lighting and a summary of each topic. After you read and feel informed, pick your side! If you haven’t had these debates with your spouse, parents, or roommates yet, NOW is the time. These details can really maximize your bathroom space and transform your morning routine.

1. How to Hang: Up or Down?

The first thing you should consider is how to hang your vanity lights—shining up or down? First, consider how you’ll use these lights. Are they direct task lighting? If so, angle down or at the face. An indirect light source for style and mood? Shine them up.

If you have a bathroom with a darker color palette, a downward hanging light may suit you best. Why? Darker colors soak up more light, and hanging it downward will focus the light on the area you really want to be illuminating.

If your bathroom has a lighter color, palette an upward hanging light will work best for the space. Why? The light reflects off of the ceiling and walls, amplifying the overall light for the entire room. Regardless of which direction you hang them, vanity lights should hang high off of the floor, approximately 78 inches.

2. Clear or Frosted Glass?

You may have already had this debate when choosing other fixtures, but it’s especially relevant to vanity lights. They’re closer to eye level and more frequently viewed than most home fixtures, so choose well here!

In my years at a lighting showroom, the more popular choice has always been frosted glass. Why? One favorite feature about frosted glass is that it shines a soft ambient light. It still provides plenty of lumens, but isn’t too harsh on the eye. They also require less cleaning, since you’re unlikely to see fingerprints or smudges. A weekly light dusting should do the trick.  

On the other hand, I’ve encountered many lovers of clear glass. For one thing, they distribute more lumens, since the glass doesn’t diffuse the light. They’re often better for task lighting, aiding in accurate shaving or makeup application. The exposed light bulbs also add an element of style with different shaped filament bulbs.

3. What Fixture Size Is Best?

There’s a lot of variety in vanity fixtures. Some are small and dainty, others dramatic and large. We’ll let you have those infinite debates of taste as you surf Pinterest or our online catalog, but for now we’ll do you a favor and insert a lesser-known detail about proportions.

If your vanity light fixture is going over a single sink bowl, the fixture should be at least ¾ the size of the length of the mirror. Center it above the sink, and never select vanity lights that exceed the length of the mirror. If your vanity has two or more sinks, the same rules apply and you would center each light over its respective sink.

So there it is—the bathroom dilemmas no one talks about. Lighting matters! And fitting your vanity lighting to your unique taste will ensure an even better morning routine and evening wind-down experience.

Why You Should Use Your Ceiling Fan All Year Long

Why You Should Use Your Ceiling Fan All Year Long

by ·

Ceiling fans are no new invention. Yet, despite their prevalence, many renters and homeowners are in the dark about how to properly use one. Simply turning it on and letting the blades spin might not always do the trick. Your ceiling fan is equipped with a special feature to keep you feeling great through every season.

In the warmer months, ceiling fans are commonly used to circulate the air in a space to keep it cool.

But did you know that there is a ceiling fan switch that can also work in the winter to keep you warm and toasty?

Here’s how to determine which way your ceiling fan should turn:

How It Works

It all has to do with fan direction. Setting the blades to rotate in different directions affects how the air in the room is felt. How can you make use of this feature? A small ceiling fan control switch on your is the key to changing your fan’s rotation. One setting rotates the blades clockwise, the other works for counterclockwise rotation. The fan direction can be determined by assessing its direction from a point of view while standing below it.

But how do you know when to use which setting?

Outdoor ceiling fan with tropical imprinted, wicker design with additional features including a switch for winter

For Cooling

In the summer, your ceiling fan should be set to rotate counterclockwise. This way, cool air is pushed downwards and causes a “wind chill” effect that makes your body and room feel cooler.

For Warming

In the wintertime, ceiling fans can be a great asset for warming the home. A clockwise setting (on the lowest speed) will slowly pull the air upwards (away from you) and towards the ceiling.  This pulls cool air up and displaces the warm air that collects near the ceiling when it rises. The warmer air this then pushed lower down, toward the floor, making the room feel warmer, allowing you to lower the thermostat.

Simplistic 3-blade ceiling fan with control switch in modern, minimalist, neutral-colored living space

Energy Savings

With a simple ceiling fan switch, you can significantly reduce your energy costs. Because the ceiling fan only moves the air, it doesn’t actually change the temperature of the space. This explains the wind chill factor that results in your lowered body temperature with the breeze from your ceiling fan. If your air conditioner is set to a certain temperature and you are sitting under a fan in the hot summer months, your skin will begin to cool down without any actual change in room temperature.

When used in conjunction with air conditioning in summer, you can raise the thermostat 4-5 degrees with no loss of comfort and still save up to 30 percent on your energy bills And in winter, you can cut costs by up to 15 percent! That adds up to some serious savings.

Shop Our Store

Lighting Design to Match Your Home: Modern, Traditional, and Transitional Lighting Styles

Lighting Design to Match Your Home: Modern, Traditional, and Transitional Lighting Styles

by ·

When Super Lite clients furnish a new home or upgrade their lighting, one of their main concerns is matching light fixtures to their overall design. After all, what kind of lighting look good with shabby-chic or modern farmhouse décor? It’s a valid question!

Just like fashion or interior design, lighting fixtures can be divided into general styles based on common qualities and trends. It’s worth looking into—knowing what general style you’re looking for can help narrow your search to only the fixtures that fit you best. Read on to learn more about the three main lighting categories: Modern, Traditional, and Transitional.

Modern

In architecture, it might look something like that. As for lighting, the modern style was born in the early 20th century and hit peak popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. Modern designs are often minimalistic with neutral tones. Lighting fixtures, like the one below, incorporate straight, clean lines with a seamless flow. 

Popular materials are bubble glass and natural materials, such as wood and metal. LED integrated fixtures are also the epitome of “modern”. For further examples, browse the Stix Collection from Sonneman – A Way Of Light. Similar fixtures showcase minimally scaled LED linear pendants and wall bars in a variety of lengths, finishes, and lighting configurations. 

Traditional 

Traditional style lighting and design has staying power! Like the timeless architecture above, these light fixtures last a long time and never go out of style. Traditional design is typically more formal and ornate. These refined fixtures, like the one below, feature intricate details and thoughtful design. Often inspired by classic architecture, traditional lighting fixtures add sophistication, warmth and richness to a space.

Bronze, brass and gold are commonly used materials within traditional decor. Traditional style usually matches from room to room, blending consistently throughout the home. For example, this Lorainne collection from Savoy House features oxidized black metal rods, along with arms and lamp posts topped with soft white fabric shades. It’s airy yet eye-catching, polished yet playful.

Transitional 

Find yourself drawn to styles a bit more unique, yet not quite as minimal as modern architecture? Transitional style is extremely versatile and widespread, making it hard to define but easy to love. In essence, it’s the midway point between traditional and modern lighting styles. Transitional pieces are less ornate than their traditional counterparts, but not as streamlined and out of the box as modern fixtures. They combine the best of both worlds for a clean, comfortable, contemporary look. 

Like in the fixture above, neutral colors are popular here, along with fabric and wood. Brushed brass and black are common finish colors, like the warm brass in the Kearney Collection by Savoy House. These fixtures have gently rounded brass rectangles surrounding a vintage black candelabra. The four lights have clear glass covers and a warm color temperature. The look is clean and sophisticated, making it the perfect piece for a transitional home. 

Feeling more equipped to find your perfect fixture? Obviously, there are plenty of variations on these three main groups of design, such as: Modern Farmhouse, French Country, Mid-Century Modern, and Contemporary. If you’re interested in learning more about those styles, or anything listed above, give us a call! Super Lite is here to make home lighting easy.

This Is Probably Keeping You & Your Kids Awake At Night

This Is Probably Keeping You & Your Kids Awake At Night

by ·

Everyone wants their kids to get better sleep because if your kids are sleeping better, you are too.

But sometimes, we may be doing things like scrolling through our phones or using a sleeping light, that are keeping us from sleeping better and we don’t even realize it. 

Turn Your Sleeping Light Off and Your Reading Light On

Check out these bedtime habits and see if you do any of them yourself. If so, it might be time to change things up a bit to give yourself a better night’s sleep.

No More Screen Time (Blue Light Exposure) Before Bedtime

A dark room at night with an open laptop and window

Did you know? 

Our phone and tablet screens emit a large amount of blue light which makes it more difficult to fall asleep.

According to the National Institute for General Medical Sciences, our bodies have a circadian rhythm, which is our “physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. They respond primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s environment.” Light is made of a wide spectrum of different colors, and science has found that each color in the spectrum actually creates a physiological response in our body. Artificial lighting has the same effect, but being exposed to the wrong artificial lighting at the wrong time of day can have a dramatic impact on how we feel and function. 

For example, blue light is most prevalent in the sun’s natural spectrum from morning to mid-day, when our bodies are expected to be most productive. This means that when we stare at the blue light on our phones just before bed,  the light is actually telling our bodies to wake up! The opposite of what we want for a healthy and regular sleep schedule. 

The effects of blue light on sleep are pretty huge. If you or you kids are in the habit of scrolling right before bed, it might be time to change that routine. 

Another study explains that a great way to help yourself get better sleep even when you are exposed to blue light is to “block the (blue) light from technology that suppresses melatonin.” 

Melatonin is a hormone in our bodies that helps regulate sleep and if blue light is keeping our bodies from creating and using it, then we’re going to have a harder time falling asleep. 

So ditch the phone scrolling before and try these ideas instead:

  • Plugin your phone across the room so you’re not tempted to continuously scroll at bedtime 
  • Set a reminder on your phone when it’s time to go to put down your phone and go to bed
  • Try using a blue light filter if you do have to use a screen before bed or blue light blocking glass right before bed
  • Change the light bulbs in your bedroom fixtures to be sure they are not emitting high amounts of blue light (look for 2700K or less)

To reduce the amount of blue light you’re exposed to, be sure to upgrade the bulbs in your bedrooms to utilize the best lights for sleeping. 

Use these warmer LED light bulbs instead!

Use Low Level Lighting

Once you have the right bulbs with low blue light, before going to bed, consider dimming the lights in your bedroom. It is best if this is done with an eye level lamp or wall sconce. Using this pattern does more to mimic the natural light changes of the sun. 

Doing this will help communicate to your body that it’s time to get ready for bed and help you wind down for the evening. Using a bright overhead light, signal to our body that its time to be productive. Cutting it off suddenly does little to help our body understand it’s now time to begin making the chemicals required for good sleep. 

If nothing else, try adding a simple dimmer switch to your main light and dim the lamps to about 30% as you wind down at night before bed.

Night Lights Matter

Many children (an adults) go to bed with a sleeping light on, but keeping the lights off at night can actually help you stay asleep better and wake up feeling more refreshed.If a night light is needed, Instead of using a normal light bulb, again try switching to low-level, warm-toned lights (2700K or lower) with a low blue light rating and see what a difference it makes in how well you sleep.

Be More Aware of the Lights in Your Home

You might think a light bulb is a light bulb, but it’s far from the truth. As you know now, the type of bulb makes a big difference in how we feel. Do you know what kind of light bulbs you have in your home?

SeniorLed claims that “Low blue light bulbs are notably better than typical LED bulbs in terms of circadian cycle regulation and human health.”

If your lightbulbs are out of date, they could be affecting your sleep. Things like harsh fluorescent lighting, that flicker a lot, and has high blue light emissions can be unsettling to your eyes making it harder to fall asleep after being exposed to them all day.

Instead of fluorescent lights, try these LED bulbs for home lighting instead. Need somewhere to start? Begin changing out the lighting in your bedrooms for a better night’s sleep.

About Us

For all your home lighting needs, visit Super Lite. Our lighting experts can help you optimize any room with the best lighting for a healthier, happier home.

Clever Lighting Ideas for Your Too-Short Bathroom

Clever Lighting Ideas for Your Too-Short Bathroom

by ·

Feeling cramped in your bathroom? Every home comes with its quirks, and bathroom size and layouts are often among them. However, a cramped bathroom doesn’t have to cramp your style! Less-than traditional bathroom spaces simply call for less-than traditional lighting and décor ideas. Below, you’ll find a list of 7 examples of lighting that can transform your vertically-challenged bathroom space. Enjoy!

1. LED Illuminated Mirror

We’ve got lots to say about these, but that’s a topic for another time. They defog, have varied lighting settings, add a dramatic flair, save tons of space, and attract a lot of attention (while drawing attention away from the size of the bathroom). They’re a great addition to any size bathroom space.

Pendants

2. Globe One-Light LED Pendant

Beautiful globe pendants like this add unique texture and variety to your space. Pendants provide a fresh alternative to sconces. Ideally pendants should hang on either side of a mirror and be spaced 30 to 36 inches apart. As with any other bathroom lighting, it’s important that pendants be damp or wet-location rated. This protects against damage to the fixture or electrical components.

3. Cylinder Pendant

The great thing about pendants in a bathroom is that they can hang lower than a vanity light could, making your ceilings look higher. The standard placement for a bathroom pendant is to have the bottom of the fixture at the center line of the mirror. While many pendants come with adjustable stem lengths, you can also opt for a pendant hung by chain, cord, or wire for optimal hanging flexibility. Pendants should be part of a layered lighting plan that includes general overhead lighting, accent lights, and even natural light.

4. Mango Wood 1 Light Pendant

Keep in mind that pendants function best as accent lighting, and may not provide adequate light for the whole space. In fact, it’s better if pendants are opaque or thickly shaded, since they’re at your eye level and a clear-glass fixture might mean you’re staring straight at a bright bulb. That said, pendants like this one add texture, light, and style while drawing your eye away from short ceilings.

Sconces

5. Winfield 2 Light Wall Sconce

Sconces have been around for many years, but their efficiency and style make them a fresh solution for any space. Sconces often flank the sides of the mirror, but you can mount them to fit your personal preference. They can even augment the existing lines of your bathroom, drawing your eye horizontally in a pleasing, stylish way.

6. Glenn 1 Light Wall Sconce

The recommended height to hang sconces between 64” to 68” from the finished floor. The idea is to illuminate the face, so the exact measurements will vary a little bit depending on whether the sconce is “top” or “bottom” heavy, and where it shines light. Leaving the top half of your bathroom with less light draws attention away from the overall height of the room, focusing instead on the central, lit portion of the space.

7. AXIS SCONCE

Don’t forget that sconces are similar to the pendants—they don’t usually provide enough light to serve as a primary light source. If you do favor your sconces, you may want to supplement with hidden recessed lighting overhead. Using them as accent or task lighting, in addition to a main fixture, will add style and round out your bathroom space without detracting from the brightness of the room.

We hope that you can use these tips, tricks, and products to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional space in your bathroom—no matter what the size! Best of luck from all of us at Super Lite.