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General Tips For Lighting Your Home

Lighting should be one of the first things you consider when re-decorating a room. Many people spend a great deal of money 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.

Lighting should make your home comfortable and inviting to enable you to make the best use of the space you have. A good general light source is needed in most rooms. This can be supplemented by task lights such as spotlights or desk lamps. In addition, wall lights and uplighters can accent highlights such as pictures and plants.

Many rooms have to perform several functions, therefore consider installing a dimmer to give multi-level lighting. 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.

Incandescent bulbs help create a warm 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 and tiled surfaces reflect light.

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.

A Room By Room Guide to Lighting Your Home

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...

Entrances, Halls And Staircases

Entrances should be warm and welcoming. The lights used here can often be left on for long periods so consider using energy saving light fittings. A hanging pendant can be used in a larger hallway, or consider using wall lights or recessed downlights if the hallway is narrower or the ceiling is low. A table lamp on a side table can add extra interest.

Staircases should be well lit and the light directed to define the edges of the steps. A bright pendant lamp hanging at the top of the stairs will create a shadow that adds definition to the stair risers. This is another area where you might want to consider using low energy lighting.

Living Room Lighting

The living room will need a variety of lighting for the space to work best. A combination of ceiling lights or wall lighting, as well as table lamps, floor lamps or desk lamps. A ceiling light will probably be the main source of illumination in most homes. For larger rooms with high ceilings consider a multi-arm ceiling light. For smaller rooms a three arm ceiling light should be sufficient. Semi-flush or flush light fittings are perfect for rooms with low ceilings.

Wall lights are a good source of additional lighting, whether focused up, down or in both directions.

Accent lighting hidden behind cornices, bookshelves and glassware displays can add interest. Consider highlighting pictures and paintings with a picture light and use spotlights to highlight plants and ornaments. Uplighters are ideal for a dark corner. When watching television a soft ambient lighting is recommended as an aid to relaxed viewing.

Kitchen Lighting

The kitchen is the functional centre of a home and to ensure safety where liquids, hot objects and electrical appliances are used, a higher level of light is required.

A central ceiling light will give a good distribution of light or a multi-head spotlight bar will allow the light to be directed over the sink, oven and fridge areas. A pendant can be used over a table or recessed downlighters over a breakfast bar. Portable lighting with trailing flexes can be hazardous and should therefore not be used.

Under cupboard fluorescent lights can be used to illuminate work surfaces.

Dining Room Lighting

Dining room lighting needs to be flexible. The main source will be above the table – you may also need addional wall lighting or table lamps. A rise and fall ceiling light provides a practical way to light the table, whilst a pendant light, multi-armed ceiling light or chandelier can be used to provide a central focus point, even when switched off. Use dimmable styles to alter the mood of the room.

Home Office Lighting

A ceiling light is important for general illumination as it is important to avoid the hard contrast if only a desk lamp is used. Indirect wall lights or a floor lamp can add supplementary light to work by.

A good task or desk lamp is essential. Consider using one with an adjustable arm, a bright focused light and an easily accessible on/off switch. If space is at a premium consider using a wall mounted task light.

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.

Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom lighting needs to be functional and safe. The Bathroom is divided into four zones – 0, 1, 2 and 3.

Zone 0 is the area inside the bath or shower itself and any fittings used here must be low voltage (maximum 12V) and be rated IP67 which means they are immersion proof.

Zone 1 is the area above the bath to a height of 2.25m from the floor. A minimum rating of IP44 is required here.

Zone 3 is anywhere in the bathroom outside Zones 0, 1 and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used there is no IP rating required.

In addition it is good practice to consider the area around wash basins within a 60cm radius of any tap as Zone 2 – IP44.

Also, in accordance with advice from The Lighting Association the location above Zone 1 (over the bath or shower) up to a ceiling height of 3m is classified as Zone 2 and requires a fitting with a rating of IP44.

It is important to understand the rating by which bathroom and some outdoor lights are classified. IP rating stands for ‘Ingress Protection’ and is always followed by two characters. These two numbers refer to the level of protection and it is important that you choose fittings with the correct rating according to where they are to be cited within the bathroom.

Bathroom lighting needs to be clear and bright. Bathroom IP44 spotlights are ideal. Having sufficient light whilst shaving or applying make-up is essential so consider either an Illuminated Bathroom Mirror or a wall or over mirror light.

For our full range of bathroom lighting please visit www.lightingforbathrooms.co.uk.

Bedroom Lighting

The main source of light could be a dimmable ceiling fitting. Touch lamps beside the bed allow varying levels of brightness.

Wall mounted lights with an adjustable reading arm are worth considering as are slimline table lamps on a dressing table.

Consider a statement piece according to the style of the room.

Children's Lighting

A good central ceiling light is useful to provide a general illumination and a bedside or wall mounted reading lamp is recommended. There are now fantastic designs available of children’s ceiling lights.

Night lights for younger children’s rooms give peace of mind and cost very little to run.

Lighting is now available that can complement most themes and ages. Older kids will need a desk lamp for homework and reading. Always remember to be safety conscious and choose lighting which is age appropriate and that has been tested to the latest UK safety standards.

For a comprehensive range of childrens lighting, please visit www.childrenslighting.co.uk.

Outdoor Lighting

Outside lighting is IP rated.  The higher the rating the more resistant the fitting is against moisture ingress and the elements.  All external lighting should be waterproof, durable and compliant with safety regulations related to the installations.

As outdoor lights are often left on for hours at a time, energy saving bulbs or fittings should be considered where possible. 

www.outdoorlightingonline.co.uk has a wide choice of garden and outdoor lighting.

Lampsandlighting have recently launched a dedicated low energy lighting website at www.energysavinglighting.net. 

 

The information here is intended as a guide only and contains several generalizations for illustrative purposes. For more technical information refer to a qualified electrician and specific product information.