Residential lighting design

A well-thought-out lighting system is an important step on the way to a stylish and harmonious interior. From this article, you will learn what lighting design is, what trends are now at their peak, and how to transform rooms with light.

Who is a lighting designer and why he is needed

Independently think through the lighting strategy without special skills is very difficult. At first glance the task seems feasible, but in practice it is rarely possible to competently implement ideas. Common mistakes:

• Incorrect location of fixtures.
• Failure to comply with lighting standards.
• Inefficient distribution of outlets and switches.
• Lack of a plan for linking lighting fixtures on the power groups.

And it is also important to understand the types of lighting and the characteristics of electrical appliances. In order not to delve into these issues, it is easier to trust a professional.

The main task of the lighting designer is to arrange the lighting correctly. A specialist must be familiar with colorists, interior styles, lighting equipment, fashion trends. In developing the project, he is also guided by the climatic nuances of the region. 

The first stage of the specialist’s work is the creation of the concept. The lighting designer evaluates the characteristics of natural light, plans the location of fixtures, thinks through the type and number of devices. 

The professional knows how to do the work in accordance with norms and standards. He will help organize designer lighting that will bring comfort to all occupants of the rooms.

How lighting in the interior affects the space of rooms

Good lighting will emphasize the details of the interior, visually increase the space and make the room cozy. A few more interesting facts:

• Ceiling lights, arranged in a row, will visually add height to the room.
• Reflective elements on the walls will visually expand the space.
• Lights, longitudinally arranged on the wall, visually “elongate” the room.

If there is not enough light in the room, it will look gloomy. The situation can not fix even the original design of the home – all items of furniture will appear in an unfavorable light. A poorly lit room will visually seem smaller than it really is. 

Scenarios and rules of modern lighting

The main rule of lighting design – the choice of fixtures for specific tasks. It is not necessary to place devices in the room, which are unlikely to be involved. To avoid mistakes, it is necessary to think through the scenario. 

Several scenarios can be combined in one space. The most common option is a multilevel lighting system. Such a solution is especially relevant for spacious rooms. The scheme includes:

• The main ceiling lighting.
• Additional lights in certain areas of the room.
• Accent lighting of interior objects.
• Creative lighting.

You can as much as you want to experiment with designer lighting, but in the first place should go the organization of the main. One chandelier or lamp is not enough, so it is important to think about how many light sources will be in the room and how to place them. To do this, experts make a scheme of lighting.

Lighting scheme of the apartment

The first step in creating a lighting system is to prepare a lighting design project for each room. It is time to decide on the types and number of fixtures and the power of the lamps. In the plan, it is necessary to specify the points of lighting, in accordance with which the light sources should be located.

It is very important to choose switches and decide on their location. Usually, each group of lights is connected to a particular mechanism. Therefore, it is necessary to place all the devices so that it was convenient to use them. 

A great option is the pass-through switches. With their help, you can control lighting fixtures from different points in the apartment. To implement such a solution, it is necessary to think through the wiring scheme in advance.

A few more useful recommendations:

• Sockets and switches should be located in easily accessible places. As a standard, at least one socket per 6 square meters of space should be provided. You can place more devices, if the lighting system is present floor lamps, sconces and fixtures that require individual connection to the network.
• Outlets are best placed at a height of 0.5-0.8 m from the floor. Switches – at a height of 0.6-1.5 m.
• To determine the optimal number of lighting fixtures per room, you must multiply the area of the room by the recommended rate of illumination.

Tip! To be able to regulate the light from the lights, you can install special switches-dimmers.

Lighting fixtures in the interior

Interior lighting is represented by different types of fixtures. Variants of devices:

• Chandeliers.
• Pendant lamps.
• Spotlights.
• Sconces.
• Table lamps.
• Floor lamps.

Let’s talk about each group of lamps. You will learn about the features of the products and be able to evaluate examples of interesting models. 

Chandeliers

A chandelier is often used as the central element of the lighting system. It becomes a bright accent and a source of powerful light flux. However, it should not be the only fixture in the room. 

The chandelier design should be chosen depending on the height of the ceiling and the size of the room. If the room is small, a massive model will visually “steal” space. 

The design of the chandelier should follow the trends of the chosen interior style. Models with crystal horns and pendants will look great in the classic and luxurious art deco. Modern trends allow you to experiment with the shape, color and size of devices.

Tip: If there will be several chandeliers in the room, it is better to choose the same or similar in design models.

Pendant lamps

Pendant lamps are often present in the lighting scheme of the apartment. They give directional streams of light, so they are used to highlighting certain areas of the room. Most often they are placed above the kitchen and game tables, the bar. 

Suspended models are ideal for lighting design rooms with high ceilings. Devices are rarely placed singly – more often in groups of 3-4 instances. 

Wall sconces

Bra – wall lights, which serve for local lighting. There are several varieties of products: open, near-surface, models on a bracket.

Surface-mounted copies are tightly fitted to the wall. Usually they are miniature lamps enclosed in a transparent case. Such sconces emit soft reflected light, so they serve more as decorative illumination. Appropriate in the interior of the bedroom, children’s room, living room.

Open lamps – lamps without a plafond. Outwardly, they are very similar to candles. Most often they decorate offices, living rooms and hallways. Bra is bright enough to shine, so it is suitable as a source of local lighting.

Bracket chandeliers are lights mounted on an adjustable arm. If desired, they can be brought almost close to the wall or, conversely, put further away. Such devices – a great option for the study, library, hallway.

Table lamps

Table lamps – a popular attribute of lighting design projects. From the name of the lamps it is clear that these devices are designed for placement on horizontal surfaces: tabletops, shelves, pedestals. The products do not require special installation and look great in any room.

Floor lamps

Floor lamps are floor lamps on a high base. Devices are equipped with shaped lampshades or laconic plafond. A huge variety of designs allows you to pick up a model in any style of interior.

Spot lighting in the interior

Spotlights (spotlights) deserve special attention. They produce directed streams of light that spread at a certain angle. As a result, it is possible to illuminate the entire space of the room. 

Types of spotlights:

• Recessed.
• Overhead.
• Track. 

Recessed lights are devices, the body of which is hidden in the ceiling or other surface where they are installed. Products are distinguished by their compact size and versatility. They are practically invisible in the interior and perfectly complement the more original sources of light.

Surface-mounted lights are mounted to the plane of the wall, furniture or ceiling so that the body is visible. Most often these models have a laconic design, so they are not conspicuous. They perfectly combine with other lighting fixtures and fit into any interior.

Track lights – a relatively new trend in lighting design. This is the name of the devices that are fixed on the bus duct. The main advantage of models – the presence of a rotating mechanism that allows you to change the direction of the light flux.

Important! If spotlights appear as the main sources of lighting, it is necessary to arrange them evenly on the ceiling. The optimal distance between devices – no more than 1.5 m. 

Trends in lighting design

Interior fashion tends to change quickly. This directly applies to lighting design. We tell you what trends professionals are using in the design of the rooms.

Eco Trends 

Popularity is gaining, light devices made of natural and environmentally friendly materials. Effectively look lamps in lampshades made of wood, thick paper, stone. Deserve attention lighting fixtures in wicker lamps. Such models are appropriate in almost all modern interior styles.

Laconic and minimalist 

Firstly, this category of trends includes compact lamps in transparent plafond. Devices look original and create a special entourage in the room. They are suitable as additional sources of general lighting and accent lighting of certain areas of the room.

At the peak of fashion, lamps in a concise round lamp shade. They are considered to be universal, because they perfectly combine with other light fixtures.

Unusual shapes

Fixtures with non-standard configuration come into fashion. Triangular, square and trapezoidal plafond will be a great accent in modern designs. Very popular are lamps with lampshades in the form of a balloon. They are ideal for installation in the nursery.

Room design with backlighting

Contour highlighting of interior elements is still in fashion. LED strips can be mounted on walls, on furniture, in niches. Very effectively looks light at the floor and the stairs. The point is that the devices were invisible to the eye and created the impression that the design is lit from within. 

Creative lighting is not a mandatory attribute of the project. However, you can “enliven” the interior by adding a few bright accents. Beautiful lighting is easy to create with neon and LED elements, garlands, colored lamps. Soft streams of light will emphasize the configuration of individual items of furniture, add warmth and coziness.

In the organization of lighting, there are no insignificant factors. This is a very responsible and creative process. But the efforts will be rewarded – the rooms will become comfortable and welcoming.