Lighting can make or break a space—not only does it illuminate the area for visibility, but it also sets the mood, creates the desired ambience, and highlights striking features or objects. As such, lighting design plays a significant role in how a space is perceived, making it a priority when refurbishing your home.
But where do you begin? How can you ensure that your lighting design fits your living space perfectly?
In this guide, we will cover some essential lighting design rules to consider when building your dream home.
Know Each Room’s Purpose
The first step to determining your approach to lighting design is to consider what you will be doing in each room.
For example, you may use lighting of different colour temperatures for different rooms. Spaces that require concentration, like home offices, should be outfitted with cooler lighting. On the other hand, warmer lighting is ideal for the living room and bedroom, where you want to relax.
Follow Interior Design Aesthetic
Colour temperature is also essential because it affects how a room’s colour scheme is perceived: while cool-toned lights enhance blue and green hues, warm-toned lighting is ideal for spaces with more yellows, oranges, and reds. Therefore, you should consider the dominant colours of the space before purchasing your bulbs.
The lighting fixtures themselves are another essential consideration. They should match the room’s aesthetic, whether traditional, contemporary, or eclectic. For example, an industrial-style pendant light would look out of place in a modern-lux inspired room.
Spread Light Around
You should not use concentrated bright lightings: This will create an uncomfortable glare and also cause the surrounding area around the lights to appear even darker.
It is better to use more moderate lighting that spreads evenly across various areas instead. This will help prevent the occurrence of dark spots or shadows.
Layer Your Lighting
Good lighting design requires multiple light sources.
You should have three types of lighting: general, task, and accent lighting. Many homeowners favour one type, causing the space to look flat and lifeless.
Typically, ceiling fixtures or pendants are great for general lighting, which provides overall illumination. You would also want to add task lighting in the form of desk lamps or under-cabinet lighting, which helps you focus on certain activities. Finally, accent lighting with LED track lighting or spotlights highlights particular objects, artworks, or decorative features.
Space, Size, and Proportion
Ensure your lighting fixtures are proportionate to the other furniture pieces in the room. For example, you shouldn’t install a large chandelier in the dining room if the table is small.
Additionally, your lighting should not cause floor and ceiling space to look cramped. Make sure your light source doesn’t block the walkway or interfere with the flow of your room. Hence, it is best to make precise calculations regarding the height, width, and dimension of the room and lighting fixtures.
Conclusion
Lighting should not be an afterthought; you should be familiar with lighting design rules to refurbish your home effectively, balancing functionality with aesthetics. If you would like some extra guidance regarding your lighting plan, it is best to consult a professional.
At TLUX, we offer various lighting solutions, including track lights for the ceiling and BTO lighting packages, to meet your home lighting needs. Contact us today!