Design Detail: Picture Lights

Lighting is a key element in any room design, but that doesn’t mean it has to always come from an expected source such as a ceiling fixture or table lamp. If you have artwork or family photographs on the walls that you wish to shine some light on—pun-intended—then a picture light is the way to go!  It’s amazing how something so simple can make a big difference in a room. That’s why it’s this month’s Design Detail, which is where I highlight a quick DIY project on a budget.

Picture lights come in many styles and finishes: brass, brushed nickel and black. They can cost between $20- $30 at home improvement stores. You have the option of installing them on the wall, or directly onto the back of the frame itself. Then it’s as simple as plugging it in. They work best above one large frame because the majority of the electrical cord can be hidden behind it. Of course, it’s never perfect and most of the time you will have some extra cable showing … this is where the Design Detail will really come in handy to give you a professional look.

The trick is to buy a cord cover (less than $5). It’s a plastic tubing that lays flat against the wall with an adhesive backing and allows you to hide the electrical cable inside. Once installed, all that is left to do is paint the cord cover the same color as the wall to disguise its appearance. However, a bigger pet-peeve of mine than cable showing is the location of the switch to turn on the picture light. For some reason, it usually falls somewhere on the cord that lands behind the frame, which means every time I need to access the switch, I have to move the frame—too much work. Get a timer to avoid this problem. Simply plug the end of the cord into the timer and then set the time you wish for the light to turn on and off automatically. It’s that easy! The beauty is that it not only highlights the artwork/photographs, but also gives the room ambience.