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Lighting Introduction
More than simply a means of providing illumination, lighting is the key to evoking mood, focusing attention and creating illusions. No other element in the home influences the way it feels quite as much as the quality of the lighting.
Light has the power to characterise and accent rooms. It can convey a feeling of intimacy, provide a touch of sophistication and enhance a home’s architectural details with special effects.
To achieve both a functional and aesthetically appealing environment, lighting must maintain a balance between practical requirements and dramatic visual effects.
Functions of Light
There are four basic types of lighting functions:
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Task Lighting – Kitchens / Bathrooms
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Accent Lighting –Lighting in Layers
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Ambient Lighting – Mood Lighting
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Wall Lighting - Showcasing
For more info on these types of light functions, click here
Residential Lighting Needs
Visual Activities
Task lighting for all visual activities
To create mood & atmosphere
Atmosphere / ambience
Mood lighting relies on uneven lighting and contrast, creating areas of light and shade
To enhance décor
Lighting effects & fittings play a key decorating role
Shapes, textures & colours come alive when objects & surfaces are illuminated
For safety & security
Helps prevent accidents and enhances security
People feel safer when an area is well lit
Tips and Tricks
Brighter is not necessarily better…
Mixing light sources & layering light creates atmosphere. Flooding a room with light does not.
A room that is too evenly lit will look monotonous. It is more interesting to create an overlapping combination of sources
What is Light
Light can be measured in several ways:
-Wattage (the source)
-The electricity it consumes
-Lumens (flow of light from source)
-The amount of light a bulb produces
-Lux / Foot-candles (arrival at object)
-The amount of light that reaches a subject
-Foot-lambert's (reflected light)
-The amount of light that is reflected
How we see colour
Light has two distinct properties;
Colour Appearance
Is usually expressed in terms of colour temperature. Colour temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin. The higher the temperature the cooler the light, therefore a lower temperature will achieve a warmer lighting effect.
Colour rendering
Refers to the appearance given to an object by the light source. This is important especially given that most light is reflected back off the surrounding objects and surfaces.
Reflectance relates to how much light is reflected by an object or surface.
Light colours, because of reflection spread light throughout the room
Semi-gloss paint reflects more light than flat paint
A room with dark colours will require more light than normally recommended.
A room with light colours maybe effectively illuminated with less light than normally recommended.
Always think about what the colour scheme of a room is before choosing a lighting solution.
Types of Light Sources
240v Halogen (mains voltage)
No transformer required
Produce approximately 20% less light output than a 12v Halogen
Equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent lamp
Can be dimmed using standard dimmer
Many different types available:
Linear double ended
G9
GU10
Typical lamp life of approx. 2500 hours
12v Halogen (low voltage)
Transformer required
Can be dimmed
Excellent colour rendering
Equivalent to approx. 75 – 100watt incandescent lamp
Constant colour & output throughout lamp life
Average lamp life 4000 hours
Fluorescent
Energy efficient
Long life – effective in areas where high output and long running hours are required
Wide choice of sizes & colours available
High lumen output – good for garages, workshops
Average lamp life up to 20000 hours
The equivalent incandescent wattage of fluorescent is calculated by multiplying by 5
Provides a lot of light at a low cost.
LED (light emitting diode)
Have been used for many years as indicator/traffic lights.
Are becoming more widely used & will soon be used as a light source around the home
Very little energy consumption
Produce very little heat – good for in-ground high traffic areas
Long life
Tough & durable
Very small
Lighting Calculations
Good lighting depends more on where you put the light (& in what proportions) than on the number or lumens.
Assuming a 2400mm ceiling height & neutral walls, a general guide for calculating the required amount of light is:
15watts per m2
To calculate the square metres of a room:
Multiply the length by the width:
Information Courtesy of Eglo Lighting
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