When it comes to light sources, we differentiate between:
- General lighting for general room lighting
- Zone lighting for the targeted illumination of a desk, for example
- Accent lighting for the decorative design of a room, e.g. Illuminated figures or LED strips
The objective of good lighting design is to provide each space with sufficient lighting to be able to properly perform the visual tasks practised there. Visual tasks span from simple orientation to working with documents with small print or to sewing in the lounge.
The living room
General lighting is normally provided by shining ceiling lights or several wall lights. Zone lighting can be created with uplighters near armchairs or arc lamps by the sofa. You can create wonderful light accents with LED strips, which you can even control via your smartphone.
The dining room
General lighting tends to be provided by wall lights. The central space in the room is reserved for a hanging light over the dining table. This provides lovely zone lighting for the dining table. You can also use LED strips in the dresser to add some more dramatic lighting to the room.
The kitchen
It is normally ceiling lights and often downlights or recessed spotlights that provide good general lighting in the kitchen. These need to be combined with good zone lighting above work surfaces and below the kitchen cupboards. It is normally under-cabinet lights and furniture lights that are used here. Accent lighting is rarely used in the kitchen.
The bedroom
Ceiling lights with fabric lampshades are often used to provide cosy room lighting in the bedroom. Area lighting can play a key role when reading at night through the use of a bedside table lamp. Examples of popular accent lighting for bedrooms include decorative, illuminating lettering placed on a small cupboard.
The bathroom
General lighting in bathrooms tends to be provided by simple ceiling lights or recessed spotlights. Mirror lights are a key aspect of area lighting – they provide the perfect light for shaving or applying make-up. As far as accent lighting is concerned, decorative lights can only be used if they fulfil the requirements regarding foreign bodies and moisture protection. Make sure you check this when installing any lights in the bathroom!
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The hallway
All-round bright, simple ceiling lights illuminate hallways without taking up too much space in often narrow halls. Ceiling lights with motion detectors are often used in stairwells as they are very convenient and economical. Area lighting and accent lighting tend to play less of a role in hallway lighting. Despite this, mirror lights make it easier to check you look okay before leaving the house.
Is LED the best lighting technology for home lighting?
Yes, it is! LED bulbs got over their teething problems a long time ago. They now stand as the most versatile and most economical type of light bulb on the market. They come in a huge number of different versions, from filament bulbs to flame-tip candle bulbs to smart home light bulbs. They can be easily retrofitted to your old sockets. LED bulbs are not just considerably more energy efficient than conventional light bulbs; they also last longer.
Here are some more tips for choosing the right LED bulb for your interior lights:
- Warm white LED bulbs create a pleasant lighting atmosphereand should be used wherever you want to create a cosy feel. Warm white is the ideal luminous colour for living rooms, bedrooms and other areas designed for relaxation.
- LED bulbs with a cool white luminous colour are ideal for desk lamps. They create clinical lighting, which can boost concentration. Cool white light sources are a good choice for the bathroom too.
- You should aim for a colour rendering value of at least Ra 80. If the colour rendering is lower than this, colours won’t look right, and this can have a negative impact on food on the dining table or on clothing in the bedroom.
A note on dimming
Dimmable lighting is especially important for a good atmosphere, particularly in the living room and bedroom. In addition to dimmable LED bulbs, which are available under a separate category on Lights.ie (as not all LED bulbs are dimmable), EasyDim technology is of particular interest for rooms in the home. You don’t need to install an additional dimmer for these lights – instead they come with built-in dimming technology. The dimming process is activated by double-clicking a conventional light switch.
How do I get started with smart home lighting?