5 Rules for Making Good Lighting in A Room
If you want to make good quality lighting in the rooms of your apartment or house, you need to follow 7 basic rules.
It is they who adhere to most designers and planners when compiling their expensive projects. They are not so complicated and will be clear to any user and customer.
Number of light sources
Avoid using only one light source whenever possible. The well-known classic way is to illuminate the room with a large chandelier.
On the one hand, of course, it’s great when you can illuminate a large space with just one powerful lamp. No problems with a bunch of wires, a choice of fastening points.
However, from the point of view of good lighting design, it is better to illuminate the space with several local light sources. For example, floor lamps, single suspensions, and wall lamps.
The most common option is spotlighted.
All this diversity gives you the opportunity to combine the light environment, making it independent and variable. Use light only where and only when needed.
Moreover, it greatly saves energy consumption and allows you to form the environment more evenly. You won’t have much contrast between the bulky chandelier that hangs in the center of the room and the dark corners of the room.
In such a space, both the one who eats at the dining table and the one who reads a book near the sunset lamp feel equally good.
Lighting types
Always consider the functionality of the room when choosing the type of lighting. There are three main types in total:
- Reflected
- Accent
- Direct or directed
Direct – this is the light from built-in or ceiling lights shining strictly from top to bottom. This also includes table lamps. Objects in this light will appear to you a little more voluminous than their actual size.
For the living room and bedroom, indirect light sources are very suitable, which allow you to create a soft, evenly lit environment that is comfortable for the eyes.
Accent light is a bright, directional source. It is used when you need to draw attention to something or emphasize a separate object or element of the interior.
However, this light source has a big minus – it blinds the eyes very much. Therefore, it must be used pointwise, thoughtfully, and only where it is necessary and acceptable.
Wall Lighting
Never forget about backlighting vertical surfaces. About 80% of our attention in the rooms is riveted to the walls. When we move, communicate with each other, or just sit in a chair, our eyes are always drawn to vertical surfaces, and not to the ceiling.
At the same time, the ceiling space occupies only 15% of the attention, and the floor gets only 5%. Therefore, if you want to get a comfortable room where it will be pleasant to be, do not forget about the backlighting of the walls. In large living rooms, the concentration of lamps around the perimeter should be done based on this rule.
One color temperature
In a good, holistic, finished interior, the light environment should be monotonous.
This means that luminaires with the same color temperature must be used for illumination.
A rare exception may be the case when you want to emphasize the texture of any materials or highlight individual interior items.
Fixture placement
Try to place the lamps to avoid direct eye contact with the light source as much as possible.
In a good way, you should not see them directly at all. For example, in high-level restaurants, it is written directly in the instructions that lighting devices should not meet the eyes of visitors.
This allows people to focus on the most important thing – on tasty and healthy food, and not be distracted by blinding light bulbs. Also, do not use directional lights in the bedroom. Especially over the bed. It would be more correct to distribute the lamps around the perimeter, bypassing your bed.
If you still need to use accent light in the interior, then use special accessories. For example, anti-reflective grilles. They almost eliminate eye contact with a light bulb or LED inside the light point.
Conclusion
It’s important to follow rules in life to create balance. The same is the case with lighting if you want to light up your room properly. Make sure you follow these 5 rules. Happy lighting!
