Better lighting

Old 07-17-2013, 06:23 AM
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Default Better lighting

My sewing room is in the basement and does not have good lighting. My DH put flourescent lights in the ceiling, one over my sewing table, on over the ironing board, and one over the table where I do my cutting. It still feels dark to me - I think I crave natural light!. I've tried painting the walls a bright color. Anyone have some suggestions for more natural lighting?
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Old 07-17-2013, 06:27 AM
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I like the Ott lights But my sewing room is in the basement also with lights hanging like yours you can purchase a natural bulb for these fixtures from Lowes I believe.
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Old 07-17-2013, 06:37 AM
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I have to large windows, lights in the celing, ott light and several other lights, but some how it never seems like enough.
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Old 07-17-2013, 10:18 AM
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Make an attic window wall hanging with a natural light above.
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Old 07-17-2013, 01:26 PM
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​Are the rafters exposed? I find that makes a basement seen dark. You could maybe find some light coloured panelling and nail it up to the ceiling joists over your sewing area?
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Old 07-17-2013, 02:09 PM
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You might want to think about changing out the fluorescent lights with the new T12 lights. They do not get hot and give off natural light color. They are really great.
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Old 07-17-2013, 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Tartan View Post
​Are the rafters exposed? I find that makes a basement seen dark. You could maybe find some light coloured panelling and nail it up to the ceiling joists over your sewing area?
Agree!! .... if the ceiling has not been closed in, then you might want to consider a t-bar ceiling, or even painting what is there, but that'd be oh so annoying for me, to paint!

Without knowing your basement size or the length and # bulbs in each fixture, three fluorescents may not be much lighting and could easily leave the basement seemingly dark to you.

Another help ... for the lightbulbs, did you get "daylight" ... they certainly are brighter and truer coloured than the other "colours" available.
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Old 07-18-2013, 03:29 AM
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Years ago I was in the basement in the biggest room in the house. Every time I went down there I felt like I was in a dungeon. Didn't get much sewing done.. Then I moved to the second story and my DH took over the dungeon for his office. He loved it so much room. I'm just glad to be out of there. I get a lot more done now even though I am in a smaller space.
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Old 07-18-2013, 03:59 AM
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I have seen white lattice, the stuff you could use on a fence, nailed to the ceiling in a basement. It makes the room seem lighter but still allows access to the ceiling if needed and it covers up the nasty rafters and wires. I plan to do that in the laundry room in our next house after we move in a few weeks.
Originally Posted by Tartan View Post
​Are the rafters exposed? I find that makes a basement seen dark. You could maybe find some light coloured panelling and nail it up to the ceiling joists over your sewing area?
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Old 07-18-2013, 05:45 AM
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My sewing room is in the basement also and the rafters had been painted black.............YIKES!!!!! So I had them painted white......took a couple coats to cover the black, added shop lights going cross ways instead of the length of the room and painted the walls which were covered in chipboard a creamy yellow. I have only two small windows on the south side so not a lot of light coming in. I like the idea of making a attic window wall hanging but I have little wall space that hasn't been filled up with pegboard to hold all the threads and stuff we use in our hobbies.
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