Wishes for the holiday season often include more than gifts under the tree. If we haven’t quite finished our home improvement to-do list or have big renovation plans, getting our proverbial ducks in a row for the year ahead can bring comfort and joy.

And what better time than winter to start? Winter is traditionally a time of rest and reflection. Look to nature to guide the way to some creative lighting ideas — some tree species enter dormancy and various animals hibernate to conserve energy and prepare for the months ahead.

Dream, Define, Do & Debrief

We’ve assembled a project guide that follows an easy “dream, define, do, and debrief” method. We’ll get into more detail on this below, but here are the key takeaways:

1. Dream: Assemble your wish list and explore your style preferences.
2. Define: Arrange and finalize the products and details, as well as your budget and timeline
3. Do: Do the work (this includes hiring a professional)
4. Debrief: Evaluate your project’s status, what’s working well, and any challenges that need overcoming to get things finished

Dream in December

Reflect and explore

Give yourself grace and permission to take the necessary time to discover or hone your personal style – the interior design, color palettes, forms, and finishes that really speak to you. Use this time to create a space for imagination and creativity. Varaluz lighting fixtures come in numerous styles, from Art Deco to Industrial, all designed with their signature twist.

Going into a project knowing what you want reduces the chance that you’ll change your mind during the project. If the project includes major work and contractors, this could save you money.

Be a style sleuth and use your busy calendar to your advantage. While visiting family and friends during the holidays, snap a few photos of any rooms and products that catch your eye. (Bonus: they will be flattered.)

 

Organize your ideas

Begin by creating a central repository for your ideas and notes. A mood board is a helpful tool, whether you’re brainstorming lighting ideas in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or living room.

If you’re a tactile person, create one using magazine or catalog clippings of products and colors you like. Tap into how you want to feel in the room by also including an image of an environment. For example, a sunny day at the park can represent a bright and cheery space, while a photo of fog rolling through trees can call up moody and cozy vibes.

If you prefer working online, Pinterest or Canva are great tools to help you stay visually organized. Research your favorite interior designer and influencer websites, blogs, and social media. Cheerfully go down the rabbit hole through hashtag searches and see where they take you.

Map out a budget and timeline

December is also a good time to outline a budget for one or all of your projects for the following year. Your initial research should give you an idea of how much your fixtures will cost. A local lighting showroom can provide some budgetary estimates. Varaluz fixtures are high-quality and made with sustainable materials. They are built to last, so you can enjoy their beauty and functionality for years to come.

This is also a great time to ask loved ones for a lighting showroom gift card under the tree this year!

If you plan on having major electrical work done, reach out for a couple of quotes for price and service comparisons. Be sure you’re including all the work that needs to be done to prevent unwelcome surprises. For example, if you plan to install recessed lighting, you may also need to budget for drywall repair of any access holes electricians may need to cut.

Another important note is that it is possible to start a lighting project too early. We call lighting the jewelry of a room not only because its bling instantly brightens a room but because it’s usually one of the last fixtures that is installed. In a major renovation, be sure you select the largest and most visually impacting features and fixtures first: overall style, color palette, cabinets, and countertop material, for example. Nail these items down early, along with milestones and tentative dates, to keep your project organized and on track.

 

 

Jump In for January

If December is a month for wishing and dreaming, January is for jumping in and getting things started. Once you’ve resettled and reset after the holidays, it’s time to bring that new year energy to the project that’s been simmering on your mood board or wish list.

Finalize the budget

Flesh out your project budget by making a wish list on your local lighting showroom website. Doing this will add to the excitement of starting your project – it’s happening! It will also keep your energy and creative momentum going. Finish your budget by firming up any additional costs, including professional installation, electrical work, and repairs.

Go shopping

Finally for January and as you get ready to buy your fixtures, schedule a visit with a lighting specialist to get your questions answered by an expert. They can give you important information about specific fixtures, do a stock check, and help you firm up your product choices. Start your search with Varaluz at one of these member showrooms and see what they have on display!

 

 

 

Monitor in March

During March and when spring is on the horizon, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate your project. Is it moving along how you’ve planned? This should be a gentle and judgment-free exercise, and merely an opportunity to mark your progress and make any adjustments if necessary.

If you’ve finished your project or are close to completing it, congratulations! Take a victory lap around your new space and reward yourself for a job well done.

Take stock of what went smoothly as well as the things that caused struggle and frustration. Note how you’d like to do anything differently. If you have another project on your to-do list for the year, use the “dream, define, & do” planning method again to keep you focused and on track.

If you aren’t where you want to be, or haven’t started, that’s ok! Life happens and priorities shift. When your project has stalled and you want to get things started again, address any obstacles that got in the way, like budget constraints, weekend commitments, or indecision. Sometimes a professional can help — they can ask the right questions, make helpful suggestions, and work with your budget.

Start Your New Year Lighting Resolutions Now

This season, give yourself the gift of creating space for creativity and a little project pre-planning. Kick up your stockinged feet by the fire, sip something delicious, and start dreaming of next year’s lighting projects. If you really want to get a head start, get in touch with your local member showroom for inspiration, ideas, and budgetary estimates so you can hit the ground running in January.

All the best!