Home lighting design concept & techniques: A specialist’s guide

Lighting design is a much more elaborate process than just selecting the right fixtures. When talking about home lighting design, ensure that various types of lighting such as ambient, task, accent, wall, floor, and ceiling lights in your space interact in the right way.

Lighting is a way of expressing the character and mood of the space. It can either be natural or artificial. Light plays a vital role in the design of a visual setting. It facilitates work and movement. Thus, it becomes an influential factor in how we perceive our surroundings.

An effective lighting scheme aligns with the design at its inception. The inclusion of lighting design during the development period helps in enhancing the space, reinforcing different activities within the space, and highlights the prominent areas.

If executed correctly, when the daylight starts to fade the space will still be comfortable to be in and functional to use. But, if not, the whole atmosphere of the space will be off.

As a lighting designer, consultant, or specialist, this article will help you create a detailed and creative home lighting design to increase the functionality of any given space.

In this article, you will find the key things to consider for achieving a well-lit space, different techniques of distributing light in an interior space achieved with different types of lighting fixtures, a functional lighting plan, and a lighting design concept for each part of the house.

 

 

Lighting: Basic terminology

 

Luminous intensity

The luminous intensity of a light source is the measure of visible light in a particular direction per unit solid angle. Thus, it refers to the luminous flux or perceived power per unit solid angle.

The SI unit for luminous intensity is the candela (cd).

 

Luminous flux

Luminous flux is the measure of the visible light output of a light source. In other words, it is a measure of the power of visible light produced by a light source or light fitting. Moreover, it refers to the total amount of light a lamp puts out.

The SI unit for luminous flux is the lumen (lm).

 

Lux

The lux is the SI-derived unit of illuminance (the total amount of light that falls on a surface). It measures luminous flux per unit area. One lux is equal to one lumen per square metre.

In most homes, an illuminance level of 100 lx to 500 lx is required.

 

Image Source: firstinarchitecture.co.uk

 

Luminaires

These refer to different light fixtures and include recessed fixtures, direct and indirect pendants, under-cabinet lighting, wall wash lights, sconces, task lighting, etc. Effective luminaire combinations account for expertly lit areas.

 

Home lighting design considerations

Lights seem like a simple element of the home. But, looking closely, when you consider all of the different aspects that go into making a space well-lit, you see how overwhelming the process actually is.

 

Image Source: John Cullen Lighting

 

Consider the following lighting design tips and concepts to ease out the process:-

 

Light distribution and brightness

In addition to having good natural lighting and artificial lighting sources, note how these two interact inside the building. But, it does not mean that you must get rid of all the artificial lighting and install huge windows. Windows are definitely a worthwhile design choice, but they also account for the unfavourable effects of natural light.

One approach is to install optimized windows that can adjust tints and adapt to reduce glare. These windows offer the satisfaction and productivity benefits of natural light while combating the issues. Moreover, other problems include accent or task lights that interact with the ambient light you’ve chosen for the room. Some of these can cause glare or they can be used to add sufficient light to a dim room. In addition, they affect every other light source in the room.

 

LED lights for energy conservation

Old lighting design solutions, like incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, consume comparatively huge amounts of energy. In traditional incandescent bulbs, 90% of the energy they emit is given off as heat, making them a very wasteful option. Changing bulb types to more efficient LEDs can be one of the best ways to save energy, which is good for both the environment and your bottom line.

LED refers to Light Emitting Diode that works through a process known as electroluminescence. The process generates light by passing an electric current through a semiconductor material.

LEDs have several benefits making them a suitable option. These include:

• Efficiency: LEDs use approximately 25 to 80% less energy than their incandescent counterparts. It results in significant reductions in operational costs.
• Durability: LED lights last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. Thus, it saves money through replacements and reduces maintenance costs.
• Cooler: With a lower heat output, these lights are safer and help you maintain your desired temperature without added warmth.
• Dimmable: LED lights offer multiple colours that adapt to your needs. The colour rendition of LED bulbs is excellent, so your space looks just how you expect it to.

 

Overall aesthetics

With efficiency and light interactions in mind, focus on the physical appearance of the light fixtures. Lighting design fixtures should be aesthetically pleasing and match the look and feel of the space.

Although highly functional, lights can be decorative, statement-making pieces too. Unique pieces like a floor lamp or pendant light add character and charm to the space. On the other hand, lights can be hidden or recessed, so they feel natural and unobtrusive.

 

Glare

There are a few different types of glare, including direct and reflective glares. Direct glare refers to the view of a light source, typically in high contrast to its surroundings. Lamps and sunlight can cause it. On the other hand, reflective glare is a little more challenging to deal with. It comes from items like glossy paper, desks, and computer screens.

Reflective glare means you’ll need to consider the surface colours in the room as well as the diffusion of the light sources. Moreover, matte walls and surfaces may help to reduce reflection glare, while indirect lighting can help reduce glare from the lights themselves.

 

Colour depiction

If you ask people what colour a lightbulb emits, many of them will say “white,” but there is actually much more to the colour of light than that. White light has a colour temperature measured in Kelvins. The Kelvin scale measures black body radiation. Oddly enough, what we consider to be warm colours, like reddish hues, are lower in temperatures, and cool colours, such as blue, are higher in temperature. Below is the typical range of colour temperatures.

Warm: 2700K to 3500K. This range would include the colour of a sunset.

Neutral: Around 4000K.

Cool: Over 4700K. This colour resembles a bright, sunny day.

These different colour temperatures can have varying physiological effects on people. Warm lights, for instance, are cozier. Cool colours, on the other hand, mimic natural daylight more closely

 

Lighting control

With a comprehensive lighting system, you may need a little more than a light switch to control them. Also, if you are using smart options with sensors or automatic responses, this becomes more important. Many modern systems can work wirelessly, which is especially beneficial for buildings with hard-to-wire areas. Wireless controls can be placed almost anywhere and moved or expanded as needed.

One common lighting control method is to install occupancy sensors that will automatically turn on your lights. This approach saves energy since it turns off when not in use and even offers hands-free activation.

Another type of sensor that is particularly useful for locations with heavy daylighting is a photosensor. You can use photosensors to detect the amount of light present in an area and adjust or dim the lights accordingly. Sensors can go on walls, ceilings, or within lights and vary in size.

In recent years, the ability to change the light source colour has also become an option. You can change the temperature of white light or even add bold colours if you want.

 

Total implementation cost

While you consider overhauling an entire lighting system, consider the associated costs as well. Some of the costs involved include:

• Equipment
• Installation
• Design
• Maintenance
• Energy
• Environment

 

Maintenance cost

To get the most out of a light system, maintain it properly. For some light options, maintenance is nothing but replacing the bulb once it has become dim or gone out. Others require the expertise of specially trained professionals, including IT personnel and electricians.

You can cut down on maintenance costs by purchasing equipment that requires less work to keep up with, like LED bulbs, which have longer lifespans.

 

Colour perception

The object as well as the content of light striking it must have colour in it to be perceived as a certain colour. Designers are concerned with colour appearance (measured in correlated colour temperature, or CCT) and colour fidelity, or colour rendering compared to an ideal source (measured on the colour rendering index, or CRI). Changing CCT, CRI, and saturation impacts how people, objects, and spaces appear, enhancing or muting, or even distorting their colours.

 

Focus

The human eye is naturally attracted to the brightest area in the field of view. By focusing a higher intensity of light on certain features, make them focal points. Draw attention to them and establish a visual hierarchy.

 

Psychological impact of home lighting

The pattern of light in a space stimulates a psychological response. For instance, bright uniform lighting, with lights placed on walls and even the ceiling, can make a space appear visually larger. Conversely, lower-intensity lighting at the task with a little perimeter lighting creates intimacy.

A space’s lighting defines its personality and how people perceive it. Moreover, it affects how people feel about being there. Below are various lighting effects that can take the same space and transform it into different environments.

 

Psychological Impact	Lighting Effect	Light Distribution
TENSE	Intense direct light from above	Non-uniform
RELAXED	Lower overhead lighting with some lighting at room perimeter; warm colour tones	Non-uniform
WORK/VISUAL CLARITY	Bright light on work plane with less light on the perimeter; cooler colour tones	Uniform
SPACIOUSNESS	Bright lights with lighting on walls and possibly ceiling	Uniform
PRIVACY	Low light lever at activity space with a little perimeter lighting and dark areas in rest of the space	Non-uniform

 

Layering with light

More often than not, proper lighting involves the layering of general or ambient, task, and accent lights.

 

General or ambient lighting for home

 

Image Source: Boca do Lobo

 

It is the primary layer providing sufficient light to perform visual tasks. Typically, overhead equipment is used for this purpose. General lighting is usually diffuse and uniform.

In addition, it usually falls into one of three categories based on its light emission: direct, indirect, or a combination of the two.

Direct lighting distributes the light downward towards the task. The light may be concentrated or spread, depending on the optics used. On the other hand, indirect lighting distributes the light upward towards the ceiling and nearby walls. It is then reflected in the task area. Indirect lighting provides very soft light distribution, promoting visual comfort.

Many luminaires emit light in both directions. In most cases, semi-indirect luminaires emit 60-90 % of their output up and 10-40 % down. However, direct-indirect emit roughly equally up and down. And semi-direct emit 60-90 % of their output down and 10-40 % up.

 

Task lighting for home

 

Image Source: Lightology

 

This light layer provides higher intensities of lighting at the task. It is usually provided by localized equipment such as task lights which are available in a wide variety.

Task lighting provides increased light for specific tasks in a room that already has some ambient light. Moreover, it is useful for seeing small objects or objects of low contrast. In addition, it offers increased light for tasks that require accuracy, such as reading directions on a bottle of medicine or chopping vegetables in the kitchen.

 

Accent lighting for home

 

Image Source: Roselind Wilson Design

 

This layer of light is used to draw attention to important objects, displays, artwork, architecture, and areas by focusing a higher relative intensity of light on them. Additionally, equipment such as directional lighting with varying beam spreads allowing precise are used as accent lights.

In applications where displays are expected to move, flexible lighting is recommended. A particular accent lighting technique is framing. In this, a recessed or surface-mounted light projector, fitted with adjustable shutters, precisely focuses intense light on an object such as a wall painting.

By controlling these layers at different intensities, a variety of scenes can be produced with flexibility to support various space needs.

 

Home lighting design techniques

Apart from the basic lighting layers, various techniques can be used to achieve certain effects. These include the following:

 

Also see: Hanging lights simplified: Dimensions, drawings & designs (Buy now!)

Downlighting

Downlighting is a common technique that places light below the light source. Moreover, a variety of lighting equipment from downlights to recessed lights offers this technique. It can either be soft or diffuse for visual comfort in a space or intense and non-diffuse to promote a visually stimulating atmosphere.

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

At the same time, unbalanced downlighting produces unwanted shadows on faces. Downlights installed near a wall produce undesirably tall and thin scalloping.

 

Diffuse downlighting

• To achieve uniform ambient lighting in a space.
• To illuminate the horizontal surface below the luminaire.
• Offers beam spreads from 80° to 120° downwards.
• Used to design a low contrast space.

 

Concentrated downlighting

• To create areas of high luminance on the floor with dark areas in between.
• Offers beam spreads from 30° or lower downwards.
• Used to design a high contrast space.

 

Uplighting

Uplighting places light above the light source. It remains effective for applications, such as table candlelight and highlighting architecture, plants, and trees.

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Diffused uplighting

• To achieve uniform ambient lighting in a space.
• Reflects light off the ceiling to introduce it indirectly into the space.
• Offers beam spreads from 80° to 120° upwards.
• Provides even illumination in the space.
• Used to design a low contrast space with uniform ceiling luminance. Also, used in spaces where glare should be avoided.

 

Concentrated uplighting

• To create areas of high luminance on the ceiling with dark areas in between.
• Offers beam spreads from 30° or lower upwards.
• Used to design a high contrast space with a visually prominent ceiling.

 

Wall washing

• To achieve even illumination on a vertical surface, side to side and top to bottom.
• Place the luminaire at one-quarter of the distance away from the surface. Spacing between luminaires varies from one-quarter to one-half of the wall height depending on the luminaire.
• Provides even illumination on a vertical surface.
• Used to highlight a vertical surface, hiding the surface imperfections, and flattening the texture.

Wall washing involves uniformly lighting a wall from top to bottom in a graded wash. This eliminates shadows, resulting in a smooth, visually flat appearance. Thus, it best suits flat walls. Place the light sources at a sufficient distance from the wall and close enough to each other to ensure a good wall washing effect.

 

Wall grazing

• To reveal the texture of a surface.
• The luminaire is placed intentionally close to the surface.
• Provides even wall lighting highlighting its texture.
• Used to illuminate surfaces with interesting textures such as stone, brick, etc.

Wall grazing is similar to wall washing. But, the light source is placed closer to the wall accentuating shadows. It, thus, reveals texture. Moreover, it best suits textured walls such as brick and stone. The light source can be placed at varying distances from the wall. As a result, the angle and hence, the amount of shadowing produced changes.

 

Image Source: Corey Deng on LinkedIn

 

Cove lighting for home

• To directly illuminate the ceiling, and indirectly illuminate a space, accentuating the ceiling plane.
• Offers brighter ceiling close to the light source.
• Used to accentuate the ceiling plane.

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Cove lighting involves illuminating perimeter coves. This highlights the architectural feature and sheds light on the ceiling, which is reflected into the space as indirect ambient light.

 

Silhouetting

Silhouetting refers to backlighting an object with either no or reduced frontal lighting. The backlight can either be intense or diffuse. This technique is typically used for illuminating artwork, branding, or architecture for aesthetics.

 

Ceiling lighting for home

 

Ceiling pendant lights

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

The simplest form of a pendant light is a single light bulb hanging on a wire with a shade. With this, solid shade light is projected downwards with no light shining onto the ceiling. Thus, it is ideal to light over a desk or a dining table.  Prioritize it!

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Putting together many pendant lights to form a chandelier is a modern way of lighting. Chandeliers use small bulbs with a soft glow. Additionally, use frosted light bulbs to avoid glare.

 

Ceiling dome lights

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Another popular ceiling light fixture is a dome light. This can be easily used in rooms with lower ceilings.  Opt for a translucent dome for a soft glow or a glass dome with facets cut into it to throw an interesting design pattern around the room.

 

Ceiling skylight

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Another way of lighting is to have a large lightbox attached to the ceiling or in line with the ceiling.

A lightbox possesses several fluorescent tubes set behind a translucent surface mounted from the ceiling. Thus, it provides good ambient lighting.

Ceiling skylights usually let in daylight and light from behind during darkness. It is particularly suitable for stairways.

 

Ceiling recessed downlights

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

As the name suggests, ceiling recessed downlights are built into the ceiling. They are available in different beam widths from 0 to 60 degrees. The beam width and the distance between the lights determine their pattern.

They can be used individually or as a group to light a wall. Moreover, this technique offers many possibilities depending on the combination of beam width, the distance between fixtures, and the distance from the wall.

 

Wall-mounted lighting for home

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Wall-mounted lights are popularly called sconces. Consider the appearance of the fixtures as well as the beam width and beam direction.

A thin beam width technique creates beams of light that stand out against the walls. It is an excellent option if the wall lighting needs to contribute to the general lighting levels in a room rather than provide lighting in the form of decoration.

 

Floor lighting

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

The floor is perhaps one of the last areas we think of lighting or placing a light source.  Creating a floor wash (a beam of light across the floor) is a great way of creating an atmosphere so it’s a good choice for mood lighting.

To create a floor wash across a wide floor area lights like these would need to be placed at intervals along the wall.  You can work out the distance at which to place the lights by taking into account the width of the beam and the pattern you’d like to create on the floor.

Another lighting design technique for floor lighting is to use uplights in the floor to create a wall wash or highlight architectural features such as pillars.

 

Shelf lighting

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Shelf lighting can be applied to open shelves or shelves with glass doors. It is a great way to incorporate feature lighting in a room.  Moreover, you can light shelves downwards or upwards. Light strips remain the most effective way of setting up shelf lighting.

Lighting a shelf upwards is a particularly good technique to use for a high shelf. Another way to light shelves is from behind the shelf itself. This throws light on the wall above and below the shelf without lighting up the objects on the shelf.

 

Object lighting

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Think about all the different angles from which an object can be lit – above, below, from the side, with one or several beams, etc.

This lighting design technique casts an interesting shadow across the room and can be done in the following ways:

• Light up the front of the object.
• Light up the object from behind.
• Lighting up the objects from below by placing them on a box with a light fixture fixed inside.
• Lighting from above with several lights.
• Light up with just one light source.

 

Home lighting design for energy efficiency

 

Indoor lighting design for home

 

Image Source: Modern.Place

 

When designing indoor lighting, consider some basic design principles and methods.

Energy-efficient lighting design principles include the following:

• More light is not necessarily better and the quality of light is as important as quantity.
• Match the amount and quality of light to the performed function.
• Install task lights where needed and reduce ambient light elsewhere.
• Use energy-efficient lighting components, controls, and systems.
• Maximize the use of daylighting.

 

Some basic methods for achieving energy-efficient indoor lighting are as follows:

• Install fluorescent or LED light fixtures for all ceiling fixtures that will be on for more than 2 hours each day. This includes fixtures in the kitchen, living room, bathroom, hallway, and other demanding areas.
• Consider installing fluorescent or LED fixtures, rather than using fluorescent or LED replacement lamps in incandescent fixtures.
• Use CFLs or LEDs in portable lighting fixtures that are operated for more than 2 hours a day.
• Use occupancy sensors for automatically turning on and off your lights.
• Consider light wall colours to minimize the need for artificial lighting.

 

Outdoor lighting design for home

 

Image Source: Elite Traveler

 

When designing outdoor lighting, consider the purpose of the lighting along with basic methods for achieving energy efficiency.

Outdoor lighting for homes generally serves the following purposes:

• Aesthetics: Illuminating the exterior of the house and landscape.
• Security: Illuminating the grounds near the house.
• Utility: Illuminating the porch to help people navigate safely to and from the house.

 

Some basic methods for achieving energy-efficient outdoor lighting are as follows:

• Security and utility lighting does not need to be bright to be effective.
• Use LED or fluorescent lights unless incandescent lights are automatically controlled to be on for a few minutes each day.
• Consider floodlights with combined photosensors and motion sensors.
• Make sure outdoor light fixtures have reflectors, deflectors, or covers to make more efficient use of the light source. Also, it helps reduce light pollution.
• Use controls to turn decorative lighting on and off.
• Use outdoor solar lighting where applicable.

 

Home lighting design concept for living spaces

 

Image Source: Studia-54

 

Lighting for living spaces like living rooms or bedrooms can actually be more complicated than lighting for task areas like kitchens, home offices, and baths. Hence, the lighting must be flexible for the activities in these rooms. Here, the general emphasis is on atmosphere and mood.

 

Start with accent lights

Start by accent lighting points of interest, such as artwork, architectural details, and display areas. Find these elements at the perimeter of the room, on or adjacent to the wall. This is best accomplished with spotlights or wall washing. In addition, track or recessed lighting is good for spotlighting individual pieces of artwork.

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Add some task lights

Once the points of interest have been lit, look for task areas. The amount of light varies in this case. A good strategy is to physically bring the light source to the task or to project the light to the task as with a spotlight from the track or recessed fixtures. At the same time, beware of glare with spotlights.

Decorative elements in these areas such as portable fixtures or pendants add to the aesthetics. While using recessed lighting, plan the furniture layout very carefully.

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Finish off with a layer of ambient lights

After the accent lighting and the task lighting, comes the ambient lighting. In small rooms with light surfaces, you may not need any extra lighting to provide ambient light. Portable fixtures and the light reflecting off of artwork may provide enough light to comfortably move through the space. However, in a large room, or one with dark surfaces, additional ambient lighting may be wanted.

Recessed lighting is a poor choice for ambient lighting. Instead, look to use wall sconces or ceiling lights, or add a portable fixture or two. Also, add ambient light with indirect LED or fluorescent lights. Layer the lights and control the layers independently. This enables the room to adapt to different functions as desired.

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Home lighting design concept for kitchens

 

Image Source: Arch Zine

 

From an aesthetic and functional viewpoint, good kitchen lighting uses both ambient and task lighting.

 

Start with the task areas

Kitchens are best lit with bright, shadow-less light. Today, LED strips, light bars, and under-cabinet puck lights are replacing fluorescent bulbs. They are particularly suited for the kitchen because of their large surface area and high lumens per watt. Get the fixture close to the task area like counters, sinks, and tables. This makes mounting the lights on the underside of the upper cabinets convenient.

Halogen having very defined beam patterns cast hard shadows. Thus, it is a poor choice for a task light but excellent for accent lighting.

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Think about ambient lighting

Ambient light is the overall light that fills in shadows, reduces contrast, and lights vertical surfaces to give the space a brighter feel.

If the kitchen has light coloured surfaces and windows, you will have plenty of natural ambient light during the day. But with kitchens, do not rely on windows and skylights. Fluorescent tubes are well suited to the job of providing ambient light. Moreover, they provide broad, even illumination.

Choose a colour temperature of 3000K or 3500K for a warmer, more inviting appearance.

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Add a layer of accent lighting

Accent lighting is what gives our space a third dimension, adding to the quality of the space. Used sparingly on those objects that we want to get noticed, accent lighting is usually done with spotlights.

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Home lighting design concept for bathrooms

 

Image Source: Behance

 

Mirror lighting

Mirror lighting needs to be bright but not glaring, accurate yet flattering, and for the public spaces, low maintenance, and low power. There are three considerations for mirror lighting:

• fixture placement
• lamp (or bulb) type
• fixture style

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Image Source: houseplanshelper.com

 

Placement

The best mirror lighting surrounds the face with light. This provides light from all sides that minimize shadows under the chin, eyes, cheeks, and forehead.

A wall sconce on either side of the mirror works well. Normally, you want the center of the fixture at about 66″ above the finished floor and at least 30″ apart, varying according to the particulars of the room and fixture. Moreover, if the mirror is a whole wall mirror you can mount the fixtures right on the mirror.

Avoid using ceiling-mounted fixtures only unless the room is very small with light coloured walls. Large bathrooms often need additional lighting besides the mirror lighting.

The most common placement for mirror lighting is on the wall above the mirror. Although not completely ideal, it avoids most conflicts with mirror size and room dimensions. However, the fixture needs to be long enough to light the sides of the face.

 

Lamp type

Colour qualities, light distribution, and maintenance costs are all heavily dependent on the type of lamp. It is very important to choose the lamp you want to use first and then find a fixture.

 

Fixture style

When selecting a fixture style choose one that has a translucent lens. If the lens is clear, the fixture may be glaring. If it is opaque like metal, ceramic, etc., it will not pass enough light directly.

Be sure that the lens will not change the colour of the light. If you choose to use wall sconces in small rooms, select ones that are narrow.

 

Most common home lighting design mistakes

Lighting requires just as much, if not more, consideration as the colour or furnishings you select. It clearly makes or breaks the aesthetic balance of a room. Here’s what not to do while choosing lights to ensure a superior lighting scheme throughout.

 

Having a single lighting source to suffice for a big home

When working with a bigger space, a single light source is not enough. No matter how beautiful or statement-making the fixture, creating a balance is the key. Moreover, this leads to situations where a part of the room is well lit, and the other part is left in the shadows.

 

Taking energy consumption for granted

You should consider energy consumption while putting on plenty of lights. High energy use can raise your home’s operating costs while also having a detrimental impact on the environment. As a result, address the issue of energy consumption while selecting lighting fixtures for your home.

In addition, another way to watch the energy consumption is using LEDs. They not only save money on energy but also produce less heat, lowering your cooling expenditures.

 

Having too many light sources

If there are too many light sources bouncing off the walls, the luminance will be higher than necessary. This causes discomfort and visual fatigue, both undesirable attributes in a well-lit space. So, while relying on a single source isn’t the best option, going all-in might not be either.

 

Not having any dimmers or control systems

A dimmer switch should be present in practically every room. As the name implies, it allows you to dim the lights to suit your mood. Dimmer switches extend the life of incandescent and halogen lamps by lowering the stress placed on their filaments. They make the room look more welcoming and the ambiance more soothing.

 

Ignoring the natural light

To create an effective lighting system, consider the source of natural light and how to make the most of it in each space.

Natural light is insufficient on its own. However, before installing any artificial lighting, examine how natural light affects the room. This assists you in making informed judgments, resulting in a well-balanced lighting design that produces the mood you seek.

 

Focusing on aesthetics only

While it’s great to have everything match, consider the utility of light and how it will benefit your room. So, before you buy a light that looks great, make sure you know where it’ll go and how it’ll affect the lighting in the area to make sure it’ll work for your needs and requirements.

 

Compromising aesthetics for functionality

Ensure that the fundamental objective of providing light is met. Thus, table lamps in the playroom, no chandeliers in the kitchen, and no recessed lighting in the dining room must be avoided.

 

Also see: Smart lighting for homes is the new trend

Functional home lighting plan

In addition to providing atmosphere, lighting must also be functional in use. In order to ensure that the lighting in a room meets the functional requirements, create a lighting plan before you purchase. Also, it is ideal for any current lighting changes you may need or want to carry out.

Go through a number of steps to create a functional lighting plan. Below outlined are these helpful steps:

 

Prepare an outline for home lighting

 

Image Source: lampandlight.eu

 

Draw a floor plan or a sketch of the space. Clearly draw out everything, such as the windows, doors, height of the ceiling, and all the furniture in the room.

 

Also see: LED lighting : A comprehensive guide for professionals! (shop online)

Analyze what activities take place in each room

 

Image Source: lampandlight.eu

 

Outlining what takes place in each part of the room helps in determining the type of light on the basis of functionality.

 

Indicate where the light should come from

 

Image Source: lampandlight.eu

 

On your floor plan, indicate where the lighting should come from. Start with the basic lighting needed for the entire room. Next, move on to differentiate between functional and mood lighting.

 

Also see: Buy wall lights online for every room at best price in India

Identify the placement of sockets and switches

 

Image Source: lampandlight.eu

 

Include each switch and socket in the floor plan for the chosen room. Identify where you are will use certain lights or if you need to add new switches and sockets as part of the lighting plan.

 

Select lighting fixtures for home

 

Image Source: lampandlight.eu

 

For different parts of the room, choose which types of lamps you want to mount or hang. This gives you an indication of style and decor but more importantly, function and atmosphere. Next, mark this on your floor plan, and witness a buildup of a complete design.

 

Also see: 24+ Room lighting ideas: Unveiling expert tips you didn’t know (Buy it)

Our top home lighting recommendations (Buy here)

From wall lamps to ceiling pendants, shop for the perfect light for your home. So, here are our top picks:

 

Stello Light Studio Anejo Modern Chandeliers

B U Y  H E R E

 

Home Artisan Willy Pendant Lamp

B U Y  H E R E

 

HOMESAKE Corsica Black Round Cluster Lotus Chandelier

B U Y  H E R E

 

ORANGETREE Ivory & Teak Mango Wood Leaner Study Table Lamp

B U Y  H E R E

 

The Manhattan Arc Leaning Floor Lamp

B U Y  H E R E

 

Home Artisan Lavern Wall Sconce for Home Lighting

B U Y  H E R E

 

West Elm Hayes Home Lighting Chandelier

B U Y  H E R E

 

Oorjaa Wall Ripcurl Crushed

B U Y  H E R E

 

Kingsmarque Black Metal Wall Light

B U Y  H E R E

 

Ecolite Modern Architectural Downlight

B U Y  H E R E

 

Conclusion

Lighting refers to the application of light to spaces. The placement of light, its relative intensity, and its direction majorly impact not only the vision and visual comfort but also perception.

Not just light, but the lighting equipment itself can also affect impressions of the space and its owner. Therefore, lighting impacts satisfaction, visibility, task performance, safety, security, sales, mood and atmosphere, aesthetic judgment, and social interaction.

General lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting are the three main layers of a well-lit environment. Although the three layers are required in all areas of the home, it is critical to maintaining harmony.

Implementing a light design with flexibility allows you to adapt and change the environment. Reduce glare or adjust the brightness to match different functions.

Lastly, take into account that lighting is an artistic expression that helps identify your style, set the mood, and perform practical functions while assessing the lighting style. Consider using a chandelier in the master bathroom, cabinet lights in the kitchen, or floor lighting in the living room to add light in unexpected locations. Also, think of employing light in unexpected ways, such as hanging pendant lights as reading lamps to create an efficient and effective lighting design pan.

 

If you want to buy top-quality chandeliers from the best brands, click on the link given below to check your options and submit your inquiries: Lighting For more details, contact below: Email: support@buildingandinteriors.com WhatsApp: +91 9811057547 (Message only)