DOMESTIC LIGHTING DESIGN: HOW TO PLAN LIGHTING YOUR HOUSE & CHOOSE SUITABLE LIGHTS FOR YOUR HOME

Lighting Design, including artificial lighting, is one of the key elements of any new build home or renovation project, as well considered and planned lighting will enhance the architectural and interior design features of the property, provide different lighting levels (moods) for each usage of the room and also enhance the safety and security of the property.
When designing lighting for your home the first key consideration is the architect’s plans of the house, natural lighting levels from windows and skylights, what the room will be used for and positioning of your furniture and artwork throughout the house. Whilst this can be a challenging task at the early stages of a project it is vital to spend the time agreeing as far as is possible the likely positions of your furnishings as this has a huge impact on the effectiveness of the lighting design.
Once you know where everything is and what each space will be used for you can begin to plot on the positions of the lighting in the room. A good residential lighting design will not simply provide bright light evenly across a whole room or area but will rather provide a combination of light and shadow to create different moods or lighting scenes.
You should consider direct lighting over areas where you need to work or carry out tasks using downlights, pendants or spotlights, highlighting lighting to pick out artwork on walls or architectural details using directional downlights, in ground lights or picture lights and diffused, indirect or other soft lighting such as wall washers, ceiling coffer lighting or table/floor lamps to create a warm, relaxed level of lighting. Every room is different needs to be treated on its own merits and needs but we can definitely state that lighting grids with rows after row of downlights in every room are not a good option!
Depending on the number of expected usages of a room you will need a specific number of independent circuits of lighting to allow the flexibility needed to provide suitable lighting moods for each given use of the room. A room such as a kitchen/dining/living room has lots of uses and will require 6,7 or even more circuits to allow the lighting to work for each use of the space whereas an office or gym has much simpler lighting requirements and one or two circuits will often be sufficient.
When selecting fittings to achieve the best results a professional lighting designer will also consider not just their style, size and wattage but also the colour temperature of the light (in kelvins), the quality of the light (CRI value), the lumen output and finally the beam angle. These key considerations allow you to create warm or cool feeling rooms, focus lighting directly onto specific features or provide general, even illuminate dependant on the requirement.
P.S. Remember all LED lights are not the same, the cheapest fittings and may shout of low power and high lumen output but the quality of light they produce (CRI value) will be very low meaning colour look washed out and unnatural and lifespans are considerable less (think less than half) of the high quality LED fittings and finally the fittings style really is affected at the low end so whilst designer fittings are right for a spare bedrooms ensuite perhaps they really do bring dividends when used in your primary receptions rooms.
UNDERSTANDING RESIDENTIAL LIGHTING DESIGN
Residential lighting design is a crucial aspect of interior design and architecture that can greatly impact the ambiance and functionality of a space. It involves the strategic placement and selection of light sources to achieve a desired effect. A well-designed lighting scheme can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room, improve its functionality, and even affect the mood and wellbeing of its occupants. In this section, we will explore the basics of residential lighting design and provide an overview of the key considerations involved in creating an effective lighting scheme.
ASSESSING YOUR LIGHTING NEEDS
Assessing your lighting needs is a critical step in the lighting design process. It involves identifying the specific lighting requirements of each room or space in your home, taking into account factors such as the room’s purpose, size, and layout. You should consider the types of activities that will be performed in each room, as well as the level of lighting required for each task. For example, a kitchen will require bright task lighting for cooking and food preparation, while a bedroom will require softer, more ambient lighting for relaxation. By assessing your lighting needs, you can create a lighting scheme that is tailored to your specific requirements and enhances the functionality and ambiance of your home.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LIGHT FIXTURES
Choosing the right light fixtures is a crucial aspect of residential lighting design. With so many different types of light fittings available, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to use. However, by considering factors such as the room’s purpose, size, and layout, as well as your personal style and preferences, you can select light fixtures that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. For example, pendant lights are a popular choice for kitchens and dining rooms, while table lamps and floor lamps are often used in living rooms and bedrooms. Wall lights can also be used to add ambient lighting to a room and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
LIGHTING DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
There are several key considerations to keep in mind when designing a lighting scheme for your home. These include the type of lighting required for each room or space, the level of lighting needed, and the color temperature of the light. Ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting are the three main types of lighting, and each serves a specific purpose. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination and sets the mood of a room, while task lighting is used to illuminate specific areas or tasks, such as reading or cooking. Accent lighting is used to highlight specific features or objects in a room, such as artwork or architectural details. By considering these factors, you can create a lighting scheme that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Room-Specific Lighting
Living Rooms and Bedrooms
Living rooms and bedrooms are two of the most important rooms in the home, and each requires a unique lighting scheme. In living rooms, a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting is often used to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Table lamps and floor lamps can be used to add ambient lighting, while pendant lights or chandeliers can be used to add a touch of elegance. In bedrooms, softer, more ambient lighting is often preferred, and table lamps or floor lamps can be used to create a relaxing and calming atmosphere. By considering the specific lighting needs of each room, you can create a lighting scheme that enhances the functionality and ambiance of your home.