Choosing the Right Lighting

Whether it's your kitchen, living room, bath or bedroom, lighting can have a dramatic effect on the entire space. In fact, designer Kelly Edwards says it's the most important part of home décor because if your lighting is off, your whole room will be off.

By simply using the right number and right types of fixtures and bulbs, the ambiance of any space can be completely transformed into one that is warm, welcoming and functional.

A few rules to remember when brightening your room:

1. Update chandeliers with modern accessories and shades.
2. Remove floor lamps that block the flow of traffic and don't serve a purpose.
3. Switch out unflattering fluorescent or incandescent bulbs with halogen bulbs for a truer, white light.

Changing the look of a room doesn't have to cost a lot of time or money. Most lighting makeovers are easy, do-it-yourself projects, so you will still have plenty of your weekend -- and your paycheck -- left to enjoy your shiny new space!