Lighting Basics
Alongside the primary function of providing light, lighting can and should provide things that you can't see... like a sense of comfort and mood. Without it a home is not homely.
Lighting design is about creating the right atmosphere, enhancing functionality, and showcasing the beauty of your home. Set out below are the primary key aspects of lighting design that every homeowner should consider: layering light, controlling light intensity, selecting quality light sources, planning for room layout and function, and using feature lighting to best effect. Discover how to best use these to create a well-balanced, visually appealing, and comfortable environment, elevating both the style and usability of a space.
Layered Lighting
We've all seen it and experienced it. That solitary lightbulb suspended from the ceiling in the middle of the room. Say hello to the notion of light layering - the blending of light for ambient, task, and accent lighting. Without adopting this light planning concept the space will lack any versatility and will be a dull environment to occupy. By recognising and providing for different lighting 'themes' according to purpose, a framework for creating adaptable and balanced environments in home settings is established. This way the space can be lit in a way that is suitable for the various activities at different times of day or night.
Lighting Controls
The ability to simply and easily control brightness is essential when it comes to realising the right atmosphere in your home so you can enjoy it. It can also play a critical role in reducing energy consumption within ones home. And there is a way: from simple rotary wall dimmers to smart lighting technology that provides remote control and automation; Whatever level of complexity and budget is right for you, adding dimming controls to your lighting system allows you to balance the intensity of the light, adapting it to different occasions or room use.
Light Quality
Choosing the right quality of light is vital in composing a comfortable mood and ambience. Understanding the differences between warm, cool, and daylight tones can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your home. LED light sources are commonly available from 2000-6500k. 6500k is a daylight tone that is bright, fresh and calming. 2000k is the tone of candlelight that is warm and relaxing. Some homes (like the best hotels, shops and restaurants) vary the lighting tone throughout the day, but in a normal home setting a sensible choice for colour tone is 2700k.
For colour rendition (CRI), i.e how accurately a light source reveals the true colours of objects, A CRI value of 95 is optimal, and if youv'e got great art, you'll want as close to 100 as you can get.
Planning
You know what happens when one fails to plan... When planning the lighting design it's essential to consider the room's layout, function, and natural light sources, so that light is delivered in the best possible way. It's also important to think about architecture and interior design, specifically in relation to colour and tone of walls, floors and furnishings, as it is the surfaces that are lit that give the perception of brightness. Neglecting this can lead to shadows, glare, and generally ineffective illumination; an undesirable outcome.
Feature Lighting
Feature lighting serves not only as a functional element but also as a decorative focus that adds character and visual interest in a space. By including room enhancing light fixtures strategically, you can elevate the aesthetics of your home while providing additional illumination in a layered way. This can not only be achieved by selecting suitable decorative pendants, wall lights and table lamps to suit the style of the room, but also by expressing interesting architectural features within your home with light. Staircases, window reveals, alcoves, fireplaces and bookcases all present opportunities to integrate light and enhance the ambience of a home.
In conclusion, by giving consideration to these aspects of lighting design, the ambience, functionality, and visual appeal of a home can be greatly improved. Implementing a well conceived lighting strategy that incorporates layering, lighting control, light quality, and feature lighting elements can transform your living spaces into inviting and well-lit environments that you can enjoy day and night.