DESIGN – CONSIDERATIONS

By the use of well designed lighting you can create a house around your lifestyle that is a functional as it is beautiful. Lighting can be used to accentuate or highlight areas of a room, or to provide illumination for general tasks. It is important to consider your lighting design. Lighting should not just happen.

When planning a room, ask yourself this question: “Should the lighting in this room be functional or decorative or both?”

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

Think ahead when planning a new construction. Make sure there are provisions for future fittings you may require to complete your plan. This is particularly important in locations such as raked ceilings which will be inaccessible for future wiring additions.

QUALITY OF LIGHT

The quantity of home lights varies dramatically from room to room. For example, the amount of light needed to entertain guests in the lounge room is nowhere near that required for food preparation in a kitchen area.

To determine how much light is needed in a particular room, you must first determine whether the lighting will be used to provide decoration and general area lighting only, e.g. passageways, lounge room and bedrooms, or will it be required to enable detailed visual tasks to be undertaken as in kitchens, bathrooms, study areas, etc.

However, the particular design of a room, together with the textures used, and the colours, have a bearing on the number of lighting fixtures required. For reading and other critical tasks you should provide supplementary lighting.

Sometimes local task lighting, near a bathroom mirror for example, can also provide adequate general illumination.

VISUAL COMFORT

Badly placed lighting may cause visual discomfort, and will often be the cause of poor visibility.

Glare is caused principally by too great a contrast between the brightness of the light source and its surroundings. There are very complex methods to determine glare. The recommendations made in this publication always keep this problem in mind, and with common sense in their application, there would be no discomfort.

Ceiling fans: In situations where a central ceiling fan is to be installed, careful consideration should be given to determine the positioning of lighting fixtures to avoid shadow or flickering from moving fan blades.

CHOOSING THE FITTING

A well designed fitting must cater for the comfort of the viewer, the efficient use of electricity and, of course, satisfy the task of which it is applied.

For instance, a bare lamp is obviously an efficient lighting in terms of light output, but hardly flattering to a space, or comfortable to live with.

Remember that lighting interacts with so many other factors and we each, in turn, react differently to it. This booklet endeavours to give as much direction as possible for the best choice of light fittings.

COLOUR

Remember that dark colours absorb light and additional lighting should be provided to compensate where dark colours are prominent.

Maximum light reflection is obtained from light coloured surfaces.

Where coloured light fittings are used, the colour of the light emitted should not detract from the colour scheme of the room.

Switches and power outlets are available in a wide range of decorative colours and finishes to compliment your décor.

EXTERIOR

Planning of outside lighting is most important as there are many factors to consider.

Decoration

Pleasing effects can be obtained with outdoor lighting, either white or coloured, designed to highlight your garden or architectural features. Green or blue lamps can enhance foliage with considerable effect. Yellow lamps are of great benefit as they do not attract insects to the same degree as do white lights.

Small floodlights can create glare if they are not positioned correctly. This can be a problem particularly in barbecue areas. Post-top lanterns can be used for both decorative and functional lighting.

Switching

Arrange your switching so that you only turn on the lights that will be required at any one time. Use two-way or multi-way switching for rooms that have more than one entrance and possibly in bedrooms where it is convenient to have one by the door and one by the bed.

Switchboard

The switchboard may be in the meter box which must be located outside. If better security against interference is desired, the switchboard may be located indoors.

For further information, and professional assistance, contact one of our stores and a helpful team member will be able to assist you.

Lighting articles: Lamp Shades | Light Bulbs | Outdoor Lights | Pendants | Spot Lights | Lighting for home | Lights Design | Plan the Lights for Economy | Accent Lights | Security Lighting