Purchasing a new home can be both an exciting and stressful experience. While you may like what you see on the outside, we all know that there can be problems hidden behind the walls. When it comes to electrical, not only can improper work cost you lots of money, but it can also be dangerous. If you are browsing for a new home, make sure you are cautious of possible issues that can arise.

As we have written about in the past, the main service panel is a critical part of the home electrical system. This is what controls the electricity in the entire home. Over the years these panels can become old and worn. Sometimes additions may have been made to the panel, but not done correctly. When looking at a service panel it is important to look for any loose or wires and connections into the panel. The wires should be tight to avoid electrical outages and flickering. Loose wires can also cause sparking and lead to fires. An expert electrician can also identify the amount of wires going into each circuit breaker and the organization, which can help with safety and efficiency.

One concern many people have is what kind of wiring is behind the walls. Many of us have heard of aluminum wiring and that we should avoid it. The problem with aluminum wire is that the wires can become loose more easily and also heat up, becoming more prone to electrical fires. Old knob-and-tube wiring can also become weak, break easily, and cannot function at today’s standards. It is a good idea to have an expert electrician inspect the wires in your prospective home to make sure they are safe or whether they need to be upgraded.

Outlets in the home should also be easily tested. Check to make sure that none of the electrical outlets look burnt, dirty, or are loose. Outlet testers can be test to make sure that they are properly grounded and being fed electricity properly. It may appear that the outlets function properly and can continue to do so without being properly grounded. But in the event of a power surge, especially in a major appliance, the electricity will not escape through the grounded wire and can cause electrocution.

These are just some of the potential electrical problems that a home can have. In order to protect yourself and your investment, have a home inspector visit the home. If you have just purchased a home, have an electrician inspect it for any possible issues and for a more thorough analysis.

Whether you are a contractor working for well-to-do clients, a lighting designer, a home remodeler, or just a fan of carefully planned home design, luxury bathrooms are fun and engaging to admire. Especially when you see something new or innovative that catches you off guard. “I never thought of THAT,” you might say. Well, I’m here today with something good to distract you from whatever else you could be reading or doing – a stream of 11 large, high resolution photos of stunning luxury bathrooms. The topic of focus? Lighting, of course. Check out these awesome luxury bathroom lighting solutions.

1. Cove Lighting Is Ultra Modern Design’s Best Friend

Well, first of all, this bathroom has a sauna in it. It’s awesomeness should be momentarily acknowledged. Now that that’s out of the way, check out the way the cove lighting brings the beautiful wood tones to life. The recessed lights provide great general light. Like the simple angular design motif, the recessed lighting here is not meant to call attention to itself but to do its job humbly. That’s a sign of restraint in design that can really work to create a successful final product.

3. Cove Lighting with Mini Recessed Lights

Oh, look, it’s the old sconce on copper trick! I jest: This is not old hat but highly innovative. I love all the shiny surfaces in this luxury bathroom. That tub isn’t half bad either, and it looks especially alluring with the inconspicuous can lights and cove lighting above it. Full disclosure: I thought that thing on the right was a light bulb, but it’s just the reflection of the ceiling above the tub. That’s the thing about shiny surfaces: They reflect light. The light in this luxury bathroom is really fun.

5. Mega Modern Chandelier

This is just so simple and so perfect. This kind of design is almost difficult to talk about. Instead of laboring over how to say exactly why this design is so cohesive and successful, I think I’ll let it speak for itself. Just notice how that little bit of amber colored cove lighting draws the eye. What a nice focal point, whose position at the back of the room makes the whole luxury bathroom look bigger and more sweeping. The warm light scallop from the recessed spot lights above the tub is nice, too: Just a splash of warm light makes this place very inviting.

7. Recessed on Mirrored Ceilings with Scallops

Again, modern design employs cove lighting. Are you noticing a theme? If you’re trying to create a more modern look in your home, adding via via deehouzz.com

There’s kind of cool thing going on here. The vanity lights match the sconces over the tub, and their shape matches the arched ceiling, large window, and even counters (notice how they bulge out). This luxury bathroom may not be the most expensive of this collection, but it does transmit one very important lesson: Every design element must have a purpose. If all these shapes line up, it’s because careful thought has been put into seeing all the design elements as parts of one visionary whole. For lighting enthusiasts, this means that the shape and look of the fixtures are important in addition to the warmth and color rendering of the light source. I hope this and the other photos of the best luxury bathroom lighting I have recently seen has inspired you and given you a place to return if you’re ever involved in a bathroom lighting project.