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General tips on lighting your home
Many
people spend a great deal of money decorating and furnishing their homes to
create an atmosphere only to find that something is missing. Good lighting will
complement and complete the effect you are seeking but remember that bright
lighting is not always good lighting.
A light source creates a pool of light but there is a second effect produced
when this light is reflected by surfaces. It is this secondary effect which
cannot be reproduced in the shop where you buy your lights. Consider where you
are to put the light and the surfaces under and around it. What effect will the
reflected light have?
Avoid hard contrasts which can be tiring to the eyes and, where possible, try to
combine different types of lighting in the same room. Direct lighting for
reading or working, pools of light to highlight features such as paintings or
objects and washes of light on walls all help to add atmosphere to a room whilst
remaining functional. If a room has to perform several functions, consider
installing a dimmer. This will allow a higher light level for working or reading
and a lower light level for relaxation. This can prove useful too for older eyes
which need more light.
Colour is most important, incandescent bulbs help create a cosy atmosphere in
living areas while fluorescent lamps give a cooler, more efficient light for
utility rooms. A room painted in a dark colour will need more light as much of
it will be absorbed, whilst lighter colours reflect light. You can add colour to
a room by illuminating a coloured surface.
Avoid glare by placing the lights at a height which prevents the eye from seeing
the bulb directly. Pendants should not be hung so high that the bulb is clearly
visible underneath. Take care that lights placed over reflective surfaces such
as glass tables have a diffuser in them.
Room by Room
Different
rooms have different functions, accordingly each room will have a different
lighting requirement. The following guide will help you decide which light
sources you need for each room in your house.
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Lounge
 Avoid
using one central light which will create hard shadows and possibly glare.
Instead aim to use plenty of different light sources to create pools of
light, this will give a more interesting effect.
Let’s start with where you sit. An adjustable reading light beside or behind
your chair which can be switched whilst seated will prove invaluable. If it
can be adjusted for height, even better.
Two or three table lamps placed around the perimeter on tables, shelves or
furniture will give the room a more spacious feeling as the light radiates
inwards. These small pools of light also create interest.
Illuminate bookcases, pictures or objects of interest with picture lights or
halogen spot lights. This indirect lighting of a different colour will add
contrast.
Wall lights and pendants on a dimmer switch can raise the level of
illumination in the room without needing to adjust any of the other light
sources but beware of glare if they are mounted too high. Indirect light
from wall washers (light fittings designed to light the wall and ceiling
often made in ceramic or plaster) will create dramatic effects. Remember
that the light given from wall washers will be coloured by the surfaces on
which they are mounted. Floor lamps come in many guises and can be very
effective at adding general illumination to a dark area where it is not easy
to fit wall |
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Kitchen
 We
spend most of our time in the kitchen and it has multiple functions, many of
which require care to avoid accidents. A higher level of illumination is
required here.
Fluorescent tubes under wall mounted units cast an efficient light over work
surfaces and prevent shadows. They also ensure you are not blocking out the
very light in which you need to work.
A central light is also important in a kitchen to provide a general level of
illumination and, if you have the space, the use of halogen spot lights
mounted on the wall will help to add accent.
If you have glass fronted display cabinets in your kitchen the use of small
halogen lights specifically designed for the purpose will add interest.
If your ceiling is low or you want to avoid a central light, consider the
use of a number of downlights which create a glare free and pleasing effect
whilst remaining functional |
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Dining Room
The
main light source here will be over the dining table. The use of a dimmer
will allow the table to be used for jobs such as sewing and yet give a low
mood light for dining.
Don’t hang a pendant so low that your diners have to peer round it, about
60cm above the table is about right. Better still fit a rise and fall
pendant.
If you like to dine by candle light, make sure the heat and smoke are far
enough away from the light fitting.
If you have a glass dining table, make sure the light is fitted with a
diffuser so that your diners are not looking at a reflection of the light
bulb. Long tables can be very effectively lit with a longer light fitting
suspended on two wires. |
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Bedroom
 This
is an area so often neglected. Consider the number of functions required of
a bedroom.
For dressing you may need a general illumination or, if your partner has to
rise at a different time, do you need a lower level pool of light which
won’t disturb them? A well positioned downlighter will help here.
Many people read in bed and with a double room, it is useful to have bedside
lights which are individually switched. Adjustable reading lamps are ideal
if you want to read while your partner sleeps. For convenience and safety
you should aim to have all of the bedroom lights controlled from the bed.
Dressing tables used for make-up will need more specific lighting and the
use of two slender table lamps either side of a mirror gives a good working
light without glare and will add to the cosy effect of the room.
Try to create pools of light to reduce any hard contrasts. Adding a table
lamp or illuminating pictures will be very effective. |
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Study
 A
general background illumination is important to avoid the hard contrast if
only a desk lamp is used. Indirect wall washers or a floor lamp will do
nicely.
For the desk lamp look for one which is adjustable for height and will reach
over the area where you are working. It is most important to avoid working
in shadows. If you have a computer try and light the wall behind it to avoid
tiring your eyes when looking at the screen. Make sure the lights in the
room do not reflect off the screen into your eyes.
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Children's Room
A
good central ceiling light is useful to provide a general illumination and a
bedside or wall mounted reading lamp is recommended.
Night lights for children’s rooms give peace of mind and cost very little to
run.
Older kids will want to have fun lighting and there are many effective
novelty lights but always be safety conscious and choose lights which are
suitable for the age of the child |
The
information here is intended as a guide and contains several generalisations for
illustrative purposes. For more technical information refer to an electrician
and specific product data.
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Light
Fantastic 
