One of the most important factors to take into account when constructing a room, especially a home, is lighting. The majority of people are unaware of how important lighting is to a location. Even a well-furnished, well-designed space might feel cold or harsh in low lighting. On the other hand, the right lighting may drastically alter the ambiance. It should be one that improves the mood of the residents, makes everyday tasks easy. It is a good idea to search from a variety of lighting fixtures, such as desk, floor, wall, and outdoor lamps as well as chandeliers and ceiling lights. Through both physical and online storefronts, you have a vast range of options at TEKLED to pick from.
What Kind of Lighting Is Best for Home?
Lighting has a huge impact on how calm or focused you feel. When choosing lighting fixtures for your home, it is a good idea to keep in mind that each type of lighting has a distinct function and to focus on one area at a time.
The four most common types of light bulbs or tubes on the market are incandescent, CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps), halogens, and LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Due to their high energy consumption and short lifespan, incandescent lights are now all but obsolete. They are less expensive than other lights. Halogen and CFL lights are an upgrade over incandescent ones since they use less energy and last longer. In the markets, they are offered at a fair price. However, LED lights surpass all other lights in terms of features, being eco-friendly, energy-efficient, home-friendly, and incredibly durable. They are substantially more expensive than the other lights, but since they last longer, the cost-benefit ratio is much higher.
Lights are sold in the market based on the colour they produce, which is effectively a difference in light temperature. Warm white, cold white, daylight, and yellow are the options with the widest range of availability. Warm white provides a somewhat dimmer white light, making it ideal for general lighting. Cool white produces a bright, stark white light that is ideal for task lighting but inappropriate for ordinary living areas. Between warm and cool white, daylight is also excellent for ambient lighting or task lighting in places like the kitchen, bathroom, or dressing room. Warmth-emitting yellow light is ideal for use in social spaces like the living room.
Next, consider the type of lighting you want in each space. Your reading and entertainment room or bedroom will benefit greatly from adjustable lighting. Warm white and yellow lighting can be changed from daylight. Accent lighting may also be used as mood lighting, which looks fantastic in lamps beside your bed or in the ceiling. Brighter lighting, like daylight, are better suited for the study and children's room. For living and eating areas, warm white and yellow are ideal. In your bedroom, you can also add a single extended white light lamp for reading. There is no clear guideline for this, so you can choose what suits you best.
Why is Lighting at Home Important?
Many different components are required to make a house a home, and each of them needs to function well together. This covers the home's architecture as well as its exterior and interior styling.
By improving visibility, proper lighting that is free of glare and shadows helps lessen eye strain and headaches. A home needs good lighting because it makes people feel better and prevents gloomy, ugly environments from taking over. Family and friends will stay away from the spaces where there is insufficient lighting, and a small space will feel claustrophobic.
What should be the ideal lighting for the living room?
Different lights have different utilities and it is important to learn beforehand about that. For example, living rooms require bright and elegant lighting as the most frequented rooms by guests in the house and is also the heart of your house. Ambient lighting options such as sconces or wall brackets are excellent options for that. Wall sconces can also provide accent lighting for bigger spaces such as the living room while wall spotlights work best as task lighting options. You can also use LED lights to highlight your artwork in the living room or use decorative wall lighting options which also work as standalone wall art for the house. To give your room a contemporary look, you can also use geometric designs offering both uplighting and downlighting.
What should be the ideal lighting for the Kitchen?
For your kitchen, it is important to first assess the kind of activities that will take place in the space such as cooking, socialising, and entertainment since each of these activities require a different kind of lighting option. While the lighting over the stove is an excellent example of task lighting, accent lighting can improve the overall aesthetic in the kitchen. For better illumination, it is also recommended to use under-cabinet lighting which does the double job of providing task lighting as well as highlighting and emphasising the architectural design of the counter. Another important thing to keep in mind before deciding on your kitchen lighting is the quality of the light bulbs. Soft and warm lights are great as ambient lights to make your eyes feel comfortable and relaxed while white and crisp lights can be used for concentrated task lighting. You can use vintage and rustic design pendant lights over the kitchen island to give it an old-school look as well.
What should be the ideal lighting for the Dining Room?
The best option for creating a nice and inviting atmosphere in your dining area is warmer lighting, such as soft white. For multipurpose dining rooms, you could also take into account colour-changing or multiple-coloured light bulbs. Long, rectangular dining tables or extension tables are the preferred options for linear pendants and chandeliers. Dining room lights should be hung around 30 inches above the tabletop. A dining room chandelier's diameter must be between half and two-thirds the size of the table it will be hanging over. Add the footcandle requirement to the square footage of your room. For instance, 20-foot candles in a 100-square-foot living room will require 2000 lumens. A dining area that is 100 square feet in size and requires 40-foot-candles will require 4000 lumens.
What should be the ideal lighting for the Bedroom?
The most popular white temperatures for bedrooms are those between 2700 and 3000K. It is a gentle white light, it can help you unwind after a long day as well as get ready for a restful night's sleep. The correct lighting in the bedroom can produce a welcoming environment that encourages serenity, unwinding, and of course, sleep. A bedroom has more purposes than only serving as a place to sleep. It can also be a haven where you can escape the stresses of the day by reading a book, listening to music, or simply finding some peace and quiet. Along with the ambient light, you can install a dimmable table lamp or some decorative lights over the bed to serve as night lights too.
What should be the ideal lighting for the Bathroom?
The ideal lighting for a bathroom combines functionality with aesthetics, creating a space that is both practical for everyday use and relaxing for those moments when you want to unwind. Here are key considerations for achieving the ideal lighting setup in a bathroom:
Layered Lighting: Incorporate a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to address the different needs within the bathroom. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination, task lighting focuses on areas where specific activities occur (like shaving or applying makeup), and accent lighting can highlight architectural features or decor.
Task Lighting at the Vanity: This is crucial for activities such as applying makeup or shaving. Install sconces at eye level on either side of the mirror to reduce shadows and evenly illuminate your face. If this isn't possible, a light fixture above the mirror can work, provided it casts even, shadowless light.
Color Temperature: Choose light bulbs with a color temperature that is close to natural daylight (around 5000K to 6500K). This provides a crisp, clean light that is ideal for tasks that require precision and also accurately represents colors.
Ambient Lighting: For the main source of light, consider a ceiling-mounted fixture or recessed lighting that can illuminate the entire space evenly. This layer of lighting helps to set the overall mood of the bathroom and can be controlled with dimmers to adjust the ambiance.
Accent Lighting: Use accent lighting to highlight architectural features, artwork, or decorative elements in the bathroom. This can add depth and interest to the space.
LED Lighting: Opt for LED fixtures for energy efficiency, long life, and good color rendering. LED lights can come in various color temperatures and are suitable for both task and ambient lighting.
Waterproof or Damp-Proof Fixtures: In areas prone to moisture and direct water exposure, such as showers, use waterproof or at least damp-rated lighting fixtures to ensure safety and durability.
Dimmers: Install dimmers to adjust lighting levels for different times of the day or to create a relaxing atmosphere during baths. This flexibility can significantly enhance the functionality and feel of the bathroom.
Mirror Lighting: Consider illuminated mirrors or mirrors with built-in LED lighting as an alternative or complement to traditional task lighting fixtures. These can offer a sleek and modern look while providing excellent illumination.
Safety and Regulations: Ensure that all lighting fixtures are rated for bathroom use and comply with local building codes, especially for areas near water sources. Consult with a professional if you're unsure about the best choices for safety and functionality.
