Lighting Got You Confused? Get to Know the Basics
Your easy-to-understand guide on all things lighting: types, functions and how to choose wisely
Avalon Pover-Leong
20 November 2014
Houzz Contributor, located along the coastline of NSW. I am constantly inspired by our beautiful Australian landscape.
Houzz Contributor, located along the coastline of NSW. I am constantly inspired by... More
Lighting is one of the most important design aspects of a home that often flies under the radar. Lighting can dramatically improve not only the look and feel of your home, but also increase your mood and productivity. Bad lighting design can result in an uncomfortable, energy-sucking space that will also effect your pocket and the environment.
There is one beautiful statement that Le Corbusier, the French Pioneer of Modern Architecture, left our society with: “Light creates ambiance, light makes the feel of a space, and light is also the expression of structure.” I feel that this quote perfectly sums up what lighting does for us as humans. To begin to understand lighting design, know that the quality of light is assessed by three main things: an individual’s wellbeing, architecture and economics.
There is one beautiful statement that Le Corbusier, the French Pioneer of Modern Architecture, left our society with: “Light creates ambiance, light makes the feel of a space, and light is also the expression of structure.” I feel that this quote perfectly sums up what lighting does for us as humans. To begin to understand lighting design, know that the quality of light is assessed by three main things: an individual’s wellbeing, architecture and economics.
THE 4 KEY LIGHTING FUNCTIONS
There are four main lighting functions that each provide different effects for different uses. First you will need to determine what an area is used for, then these lighting functions will help you to implement the correct lighting for the task needed.
There are four main lighting functions that each provide different effects for different uses. First you will need to determine what an area is used for, then these lighting functions will help you to implement the correct lighting for the task needed.
1. Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting, also known as ‘basic’ or ‘background’ lighting, is what provides an overall illumination so that people can comfortably navigate a space. This type of lighting is seen in this home through the recessed halogens and natural light.
Ambient lighting, also known as ‘basic’ or ‘background’ lighting, is what provides an overall illumination so that people can comfortably navigate a space. This type of lighting is seen in this home through the recessed halogens and natural light.
DESIGNER TIP: A good rule of thumb when using ambient lighting is that it must not create ‘sharp shadows’, and if you’re looking for the best way to create soothing background lighting, try a recessed ceiling light that can be controlled at different times with dimming switches.
2. Task lighting
Task lighting, also known as ‘directional’ lighting, focuses on illuminating a particular area for a specific task that needs to be carried out. You would use task lighting in your study, above the kitchen counter top, in the bathroom, in your wardrobe and anywhere that a task needs to be carried out. This study uses ambient lighting in the recessed halogen and a spot light lamp provides task lighting as it focuses on a particular area.
This type of lighting is very crucial, as working under bad lighting is a risk to your wellbeing and physical health.
Task lighting, also known as ‘directional’ lighting, focuses on illuminating a particular area for a specific task that needs to be carried out. You would use task lighting in your study, above the kitchen counter top, in the bathroom, in your wardrobe and anywhere that a task needs to be carried out. This study uses ambient lighting in the recessed halogen and a spot light lamp provides task lighting as it focuses on a particular area.
This type of lighting is very crucial, as working under bad lighting is a risk to your wellbeing and physical health.
3. Accent lighting
Accent lighting is used to highlight a particular area or feature within a room. Accent lighting deals with the architectural and design elements within your home. This form of lighting is what creates drama within a space. In this interior, the accent lighting comes in the form of a recessed ceiling light and accentuates the living rooms textured wall paper.
Accent lighting is used to highlight a particular area or feature within a room. Accent lighting deals with the architectural and design elements within your home. This form of lighting is what creates drama within a space. In this interior, the accent lighting comes in the form of a recessed ceiling light and accentuates the living rooms textured wall paper.
DESIGNER TIP: Accent lighting will only work if it is brighter than the ambient lighting. You must have at least three times more light directed on the focal point than the light around it, so that you are fully accentuating your chosen feature. This type of lighting should have ‘hard’ edged shadows so that it creates contrast and in turn a dramatic and outstanding effect.
4. Decorative lighting
Decorative lighting fixtures are used to draw attention to the fixtures themselves. The decorative lighting in this living room is the gorgeous pendant light that is featured above the dining room table. Notice that this light is not only decorative, but also acts as a task light and as an ambience light source (one light can have more than one function). This pendant light draws attention to the fixture itself, would provide light for the task of eating and also creates a great ambience in the room when the light is switched on.
Decorative lighting fixtures are used to draw attention to the fixtures themselves. The decorative lighting in this living room is the gorgeous pendant light that is featured above the dining room table. Notice that this light is not only decorative, but also acts as a task light and as an ambience light source (one light can have more than one function). This pendant light draws attention to the fixture itself, would provide light for the task of eating and also creates a great ambience in the room when the light is switched on.
DESIGNER TIP:
The positioning of a decorative light is very important, so think carefully of where you will locate this fixture. Remember that is is going to be a stand out piece.
The positioning of a decorative light is very important, so think carefully of where you will locate this fixture. Remember that is is going to be a stand out piece.
ELETRICAL LIGHT SOURCES
Now that you understand the functions of light, we can look at the three different sources of light and you can choose what type of light is best for its function.
Now that you understand the functions of light, we can look at the three different sources of light and you can choose what type of light is best for its function.
1. Incandescent
Produces visible light by heating a material which is usually a thin metal filament. This heat is visible in the warmth of the light. The best place for this type of lighting is if you want to create a warm atmosphere. Notice how incandescent lighting has been paired with the warm timbers in this study.
COMMON LIGHT TYPES: Incandescent and halogen.
NOTE: This type of lighting is considered the most energy inefficient, so consider using this light carefully. Only 10% of the energy used in this light goes to creating actual light; the other 90% of energy is lost in heat.
Produces visible light by heating a material which is usually a thin metal filament. This heat is visible in the warmth of the light. The best place for this type of lighting is if you want to create a warm atmosphere. Notice how incandescent lighting has been paired with the warm timbers in this study.
COMMON LIGHT TYPES: Incandescent and halogen.
NOTE: This type of lighting is considered the most energy inefficient, so consider using this light carefully. Only 10% of the energy used in this light goes to creating actual light; the other 90% of energy is lost in heat.
2. Discharge
Produces light by creating an electrical discharge through gas. This type of light is usually used at workplaces and shopping malls as they are cheap to buy and run. These lights usually last 13 times longer than incandescent lighting, but under long exposure this type of lighting can cause headaches, eye strain and anxiety/stress. The overhead light in this kitchen acts as task lighting, however the diffuser blends the steam of light down so it is not fully directional, creating more of a soft light.
COMMON LIGHT TYPES: Fluorescent, metal halide and sodium lamps.
Produces light by creating an electrical discharge through gas. This type of light is usually used at workplaces and shopping malls as they are cheap to buy and run. These lights usually last 13 times longer than incandescent lighting, but under long exposure this type of lighting can cause headaches, eye strain and anxiety/stress. The overhead light in this kitchen acts as task lighting, however the diffuser blends the steam of light down so it is not fully directional, creating more of a soft light.
COMMON LIGHT TYPES: Fluorescent, metal halide and sodium lamps.
3. Electroluminescent
Produces electromagnetic radiation (usually visible light) in response to an electric current. This type of light is the most efficient, both cost wise and for the environment. LEDs are also very flexible, allowing you to choose anything between a cool and warm light (the temperature/colour of light is measured in Kelvins, which we will go into further detail below). You can even purchase LEDs that have the option to change colour and warmth via a remote!
Produces electromagnetic radiation (usually visible light) in response to an electric current. This type of light is the most efficient, both cost wise and for the environment. LEDs are also very flexible, allowing you to choose anything between a cool and warm light (the temperature/colour of light is measured in Kelvins, which we will go into further detail below). You can even purchase LEDs that have the option to change colour and warmth via a remote!
LED’s will last 15,000 to 25,000 hours, compared to an incandescent light, which only lasts up to 1,000. Again, not only are you saving money, but it is also much better for the environment.
The ceiling slots used in this home provide a controlled and directional light, they accentuate the room and direct your eyes down the area, making it feel long and creating a lovely ambience.
COMMON LIGHT TYPES: Electroluminescent panels, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic LEDs (OLEDs).
The ceiling slots used in this home provide a controlled and directional light, they accentuate the room and direct your eyes down the area, making it feel long and creating a lovely ambience.
COMMON LIGHT TYPES: Electroluminescent panels, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic LEDs (OLEDs).
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOUR
A bulb’s colour ‘temperature’ (how warm/yellow or cool/white a light is) is measured in Kelvins. You will see this represented as a ‘K’ on light bulb packaging. The lower the colour temperature the more yellow the light, and the higher the temperature the more blue the light.
A bulb’s colour ‘temperature’ (how warm/yellow or cool/white a light is) is measured in Kelvins. You will see this represented as a ‘K’ on light bulb packaging. The lower the colour temperature the more yellow the light, and the higher the temperature the more blue the light.
If you are trying to make a room feel brighter and fresher, stay away from yellow light (3,000K) and go for something in the middle of the colour temperature spectrum, so a light that sits at about 5,000K. This Kelvin works well in bathrooms, the study, the kitchen and the garage.
To promote the feeling of warmth and comfort, go for a low-Kelvin. This works well in the lounge and the bedroom.
Stick to either a warm or cool light in one single space. Try not to mix the two, as they don’t usually work well together, unless you plan on using the two separate lights at different times. Say you have an open plan setting where your kitchen and lounge are located next to each other; you may want a clean and cool light perfect for cooking in the kitchen in the afternoon – this could be applied through overhead lights. Then you may want a warm light that you can turn on when the kitchen is no longer being used, yet you may be entertaining in the lounge and need a nice ambience. This warm ambient light could be applied in recessed LED strip lighting underneath the cabinets. These two light sources with different temperatures would then be used at different times.
Stick to either a warm or cool light in one single space. Try not to mix the two, as they don’t usually work well together, unless you plan on using the two separate lights at different times. Say you have an open plan setting where your kitchen and lounge are located next to each other; you may want a clean and cool light perfect for cooking in the kitchen in the afternoon – this could be applied through overhead lights. Then you may want a warm light that you can turn on when the kitchen is no longer being used, yet you may be entertaining in the lounge and need a nice ambience. This warm ambient light could be applied in recessed LED strip lighting underneath the cabinets. These two light sources with different temperatures would then be used at different times.
A NOTE ON THE POWER STRUGGLE
The most important thing for you to think about is if daylight can provide most of the lighting requirements during the day. This is the healthiest type of light for us as humans, the best for the environment and it’s free!
Luckily for everyone, advances in technology has given us options to reduce the amount of energy we use by using improved lighting sources, which allows us to refine how we use light.
The most important thing for you to think about is if daylight can provide most of the lighting requirements during the day. This is the healthiest type of light for us as humans, the best for the environment and it’s free!
Luckily for everyone, advances in technology has given us options to reduce the amount of energy we use by using improved lighting sources, which allows us to refine how we use light.
LIGHTING TERMINOLOGY DEBUNKED
Diffuser
Is a material that disperses or scatters light. It allows light to pass through while softening the beam from the source of the light.
Illuminance
Is the light that falls onto a surface.
Luminance
Is the light that we see, which is the light reflection from the surface.
Luminare
A complete light fixture.
Lux
The international standard unit for measuring light levels.
Beam spread
Measurement of the angle (narrow or wide) of a beam from a lamp with a reflector.
Architectural lighting
The term used for built-in, hard wired or direct-wired lighting
fixtures.
Portable fixture
Lighting fixture that includes a cord and a plug.
MORE
How to Create Powerful Lighting Effects for Your Home
10 Ways to Get Your Interior Lighting Sorted
When to Bring in Statement Pendant Lighting
Light Up: 10 Good Reasons to Use Outdoor Lighting
Diffuser
Is a material that disperses or scatters light. It allows light to pass through while softening the beam from the source of the light.
Illuminance
Is the light that falls onto a surface.
Luminance
Is the light that we see, which is the light reflection from the surface.
Luminare
A complete light fixture.
Lux
The international standard unit for measuring light levels.
Beam spread
Measurement of the angle (narrow or wide) of a beam from a lamp with a reflector.
Architectural lighting
The term used for built-in, hard wired or direct-wired lighting
fixtures.
Portable fixture
Lighting fixture that includes a cord and a plug.
MORE
How to Create Powerful Lighting Effects for Your Home
10 Ways to Get Your Interior Lighting Sorted
When to Bring in Statement Pendant Lighting
Light Up: 10 Good Reasons to Use Outdoor Lighting
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Excellent article just on time for our renovations. Many thanks!!!
Anything other than a thoughtless grid of downlights!