General tips on lighting your home
Many people spend a great deal of money decorating
and 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 but
remember that bright lighting is not always good lighting.
A light source creates a pool of light but there is
a second effect produced when this light is reflected
by surfaces. It is this secondary effect which cannot
be reproduced in the shop where you buy your lights.
Consider where you are to put the light and the surfaces
under and around it. What effect will the reflected
light have?
Avoid hard contrasts which can be tiring to the eyes
and, where possible, try to combine different types
of lighting in the same room. Direct lighting for reading
or working, pools of light to highlight features such
as paintings or objects and washes of light on walls
all help to add atmosphere to a room whilst remaining
functional. If a room has to perform several functions,
consider installing a dimmer. 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.
Colour is most important, incandescent bulbs help create
a cosy 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 reflect light. You can add colour to a room
by illuminating a coloured surface.
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. Take care that lights placed over
reflective surfaces such as glass tables have a diffuser
in them.
Room by Room
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.
Lounge
 Avoid using one central light which
will create hard shadows and possibly glare.
Instead aim to use plenty of different light
sources to create pools of light, this will
give a more interesting effect.
Let’s start with where you sit. An adjustable
reading light beside or behind your chair which
can be switched whilst seated will prove invaluable.
If it can be adjusted for height, even better.
Two or three table lamps placed around the perimeter
on tables, shelves or furniture will give the
room a more spacious feeling as the light radiates
inwards. These small pools of light also create
interest.
Illuminate bookcases, pictures or objects of
interest with picture lights or halogen spot
lights. This indirect lighting of a different
colour will add contrast.
Wall lights and pendants on a dimmer switch
can raise the level of illumination in the room
without needing to adjust any of the other light
sources but beware of glare if they are mounted
too high. Indirect light from wall washers (light
fittings designed to light the wall and ceiling
often made in ceramic or plaster) will create
dramatic effects. Remember that the light given
from wall washers will be coloured by the surfaces
on which they are mounted. Floor lamps come
in many guises and can be very effective at
adding general illumination to a dark area where
it is not easy to fit wall
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Kitchen
 We spend most of our time in the kitchen
and it has multiple functions, many of which
require care to avoid accidents. A higher level
of illumination is required here.
Fluorescent tubes under wall mounted units cast
an efficient light over work surfaces and prevent
shadows. They also ensure you are not blocking
out the very light in which you need to work.
A central light is also important in a kitchen
to provide a general level of illumination and,
if you have the space, the use of halogen spot
lights mounted on the wall will help to add
accent.
If you have glass fronted display cabinets in
your kitchen the use of small halogen lights
specifically designed for the purpose will add
interest.
If your ceiling is low or you want to avoid
a central light, consider the use of a number
of downlights which create a glare free and
pleasing effect whilst remaining functional
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Dining Room
The main light source here will be over the
dining table. The use of a dimmer will allow
the table to be used for jobs such as sewing
and yet give a low mood light for dining.
Don’t hang a pendant so low that your diners
have to peer round it, about 60cm above the
table is about right. Better still fit a rise
and fall pendant.
If you like to dine by candle light, make sure
the heat and smoke are far enough away from
the light fitting.
If you have a glass dining table, make sure
the light is fitted with a diffuser so that
your diners are not looking at a reflection
of the light bulb. Long tables can be very effectively
lit with a longer light fitting suspended on
two wires. |
Bedroom
 This is an area so often neglected.
Consider the number of functions required of
a bedroom.
For dressing you may need a general illumination
or, if your partner has to rise at a different
time, do you need a lower level pool of light
which won’t disturb them? A well positioned
downlighter will help here.
Many people read in bed and with a double room,
it is useful to have bedside lights which are
individually switched. Adjustable reading lamps
are ideal if you want to read while your partner
sleeps. For convenience and safety you should
aim to have all of the bedroom lights controlled
from the bed.
Dressing tables used for make-up will need more
specific lighting and the use of two slender
table lamps either side of a mirror gives a
good working light without glare and will add
to the cosy effect of the room.
Try to create pools of light to reduce any hard
contrasts. Adding a table lamp or illuminating
pictures will be very effective.
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Study
 A general background illumination is important
to avoid the hard contrast if only a desk lamp
is used. Indirect wall washers or a floor lamp
will do nicely.
For the desk lamp look for one which is adjustable
for height and will reach over the area where
you are working. 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.
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Children's Room
A good central ceiling light is useful to provide
a general illumination and a bedside or wall
mounted reading lamp is recommended.
Night lights for children’s rooms give peace
of mind and cost very little to run.
Older kids will want to have fun lighting and
there are many effective novelty lights but
always be safety conscious and choose lights
which are suitable for the age of the child |
The information here is intended as a guide and contains
several generalisations for illustrative purposes. For
more technical information refer to an electrician and
specific product data. |
