Lighting is the balance between bright and dark, and if you hit the right mark, you’ll be able to paint a soulless canvas and bring it to life. It’s one of the reasons why many are seeking the advice of seasoned lighting designers to help them animate a static room.
You see, it’s more than just putting a desk lamp on your bedside table or sticking strip lights into your ceiling. It’s years of studying the art of lighting, training an eye for design, and understanding the science behind good lighting.
However, don’t let this dishearten you. Although it’s more complicated than the tutorials you’ve seen on YouTube, there are simpler ways for you to use lighting to define and enhance the function and atmosphere of a space.
6 Lighting Rules for a Successful Lighting Design
While not everything is set in stone in the design industry, it's best to know the rules before breaking them. Plus, those who deviate from the norms have been immersed for years and have enough knowledge and experience to set their own guidelines. If you're a total newbie, it's in your best interest to be a stickler, or you may end up in the mayhem. So, if you're ready, let's get started!
Rule #1: Keep lighting in mind during the design phase
You must be thinking that lighting should be considered once you know what to illuminate. The truth is, it's the opposite. If you want to have the best lighting setup, you need to consider the lighting in the early phase of your design plan.
The moment that you decide to build a home or remodel a room and start drafting plans, your lighting designer and architect must be on board and on the same page. By doing so, you're confident that every aspect is discussed meticulously to create the best result. Like many say, lighting is never an afterthought but a crucial part of a space.
Rule #2: Spread out your fixtures
Concentrated and vivid lighting positioned in certain areas can create glares, causing your pupils to dilate. Instead of comfortable living space, you'll feel as if you're standing on a stage with a single spotlight and dark surroundings.
So, to ensure that your home is well-lit and relaxing, you must set up fixtures in various areas. When you do this, it can help diminish dark corners, showcase key features and prevent yourself from obsessing over the hunt for an all-in-one light source.
Rule #3: Focus on lighting crucial parts
Lighting a room is always perceived as keeping it bright. However, good lighting does not focus on being bright but rather on contrasting the crucial features of a space.
For example, in your home theatre, low-level stair lighting would make the space ready for popcorn and a blockbuster film. In your living room, you can put a spotlight on the artwork, a fireplace, or the novel you're binging. As for the kitchen, you'll need direct lighting over your countertops for full visibility to avoid any accidents during food preparations.
To summarise, make sure that you direct light to areas that matter.
Rule #4: Think of the colour temperature
As mentioned earlier, lighting is responsible for a room's atmosphere and can affect a person's mood. The aspect of lighting responsible for it is the colour temperature. Unfortunately, many tend to disregard it when in fact, it's highly crucial. It can determine the overall look of the room and impact the way you and your guests feel.
When choosing colour temperature, you need to establish where you need it and why. Warm white light can make the space feel cosier for areas where you relax and socialise, like the living room and bedroom. On the other hand, for rooms where you need to concentrate, like the kitchen and home office, cool white light is the best option.
Rule #5: incorporate dimmers
Having control over your lighting is essential in regulating the functions and ambiences in different rooms. If you can have dimmers in every room of your home, do it! It makes your space more customised and functional for the activities that you are doing. Although dimmers are a small part of the entire lighting design, they can make a massive difference to the atmosphere of your home. So, make sure you have them!
Rule #6: Consider the placement of your fixtures
Never let your light fixtures hinder your convince. They are made to make your life easier, not the other way around. If you're illuminating a room from above, ensure that your light fitting is not blocking anything important below. No matter how beautiful the pendant lights you saw, give them up if it's too low for your hallway.
Also, if you have a stunning view, like the mountains or beach, don’t cover it with an excessively gigantic fixture. Windows are also a great source of lighting so let your room soak in the sun and the beautiful scenery that comes with it!
You'll undoubtedly create a great lighting design by sticking with these rules. While it may not be on the level of a professional, you'll still get a better outcome than going through the process blindfolded. So, if you need to add new fixtures or replace old ones, visit our website, LED Supplier! We have various solutions for your kitchen, bathroom, outdoor and other lighting requirements.
