Overview:
Lighting is essential to good interior decorating. A gorgeous, perfectly laid out room can look drab if the lighting is not quite right. In this article, you will learn the basic principles of lighting and be introduced to the different types of bulbs and lamps available. Special emphasis will be placed on energy efficient lighting, as these lamps are both cost-efficient and environmentally responsible. In the final section, you will learn about a variety of light fixtures and how to used them in various parts of the home.
9.1 Lighting Principles
It is a decorator's job to provide the proper quality and quantity of light in every room. The quantity and quality of light determines how functional a space can be. Too much light produces too much glare, whereas too little light makes it impossible to perform necessary tasks. For example, an office excessively lined with fluorescent lights can feel like an interrogation room, whereas an office with only one table lamp producing cheap white light will make it difficult to work. In both scenarios, the lighting source provided enough light to see the task at hand, but the quantity in the first case, and quality in the second, effects the mood, making the work environment irksome and tiring.
There are four layers of lighting. In order, they are: ambient, task, focal, and decorative lighting. These four layers work together to create an overall lighting scheme. There are many different ways to compose a lighting scheme. The desired mood and necessary function, as well as the style and other decorative features (such as artwork) dictate lighting composition. Every single interior space should have layered lighting for maximum flexibility and different moods. An easy way to alter mood is with dimmers. As a general rule, install dimmers wherever possible.
Ambient lighting, also referred to as general lighting, provides relatively uniform lighting in a space. Ambient light is indirect, soft, and used to establish mood. Ambient light reduces contrast and shadows and makes an environment generally pleasant. Ambient light can include both natural and artificial light sources. Ambient light is also reflected in surfaces, like mirrors, metals, and textiles, depending on the material's weight and texture.
Task lighting illuminates a horizontal work surface or small, specific area. It creates drama and focused attention. Examples of task lighting are desk lamps.
Focal lighting, sometimes called display or accent lighting, is used to illuminate vertical and other non-horizontal surfaces. Focal lighting creates drama and contrast. Focal lighting is important when highlighting specific aspects of interior spaces, like artworks. Recessed floor lighting that brings attention to a particular texture is anther example of focal lighting.
Decorative lighting, or traditional lighting, is used to add decorative features and to enhance the architectural or design style. Decorative lighting contributes to ambient lighting and in some cases, is the ambient lighting. It is used to reduce drama and contrast.
When deciding which and how much of the four lighting types to use in an interior, it is important decorators consider glare, contrast, uniformity, and color.
Glare is the effect of excessive brightness or overly intense lighting. It can impair vision and cause uncomfortable sensations. Glare can come directly from a light source or be reflected on a surface. Glare on a computer screen is one example of glare caused by reflection. When decorating an interior, decorators should take extra care to reduce all effects of glare.
Contrast is a positive aspect of lighting and describes the effect when two juxtaposing points are illuminated at different lighting levels. Contrast creates drama and draws the eye to one spot or another. However, too much contrast can be distracting and cause eye fatigue.
Uniformity is the opposite of contrast. While uniformity is comforting and harmonious, it can also be boring. Decorators should strive for balance between contrast and uniformity in order to achieve maximum interest.
Color in lighting is determined by color temperature and color rendering.
Color temperature is the temperature produced by a lamp. It determines how the eye perceives the light--as "warm" or "cool." Temperature is measured on a spectrum using Kelvin, or K. 4100K is at the middle of the spectrum and is best described as white light. The further right on the spectrum, the cooler the light. 6500 to 10000K is the range for cool blue or purple light. 10000K is best described as the color of the North Sky. On the left side of the spectrum, 1800 to 3500K produces warm red and yellow light. 1800K is the color of the setting sun. For reference, a burning flame hovers around 2200K and daylight spans 2200 and 10000K.
Cool lamps most often range from 3000 to 3500K, while warm lamps range from 2700 to 2800K. Incandescent and halogen are warm lights between 2800 and 3000K, while fluorescent lights can be warm or cool, ranging from 2800K to 7500K.
As a general rule, only one type of light (warm or cool) should be used in a single room. This is because, when warm and cool light mix, the effect is a flat, and rather offensive white light. When choosing which type of light to use, consider the color scheme of the interior. If a room is decorated in blues and purples, these tones will be enhanced under cool light. Likewise, a room decorated with reds and yellow will glow under warm light.
Color rendering is the term used to describe the intensity of a light's color. Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a scale from 0 to 100. The highest CRI values produce the most accurate and vibrant colors. Lamps with low CRI values tend to wash out color. Incandescent and halogen lamps tend to have a CRI of 95 or higher, and thus produce intense color.
9.2 Bulbs and Lamps
Decorators have a responsibility to be environmentally responsible by choosing lighting that is sustainable. Sustainable lighting makes a world of a difference for both the environment and one's budget. For example, one 9.5 watt LED light uses the same amount of energy as 50 incandescent light bulbs. Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED lights will reduce one's energy bill, as well as the frequency of changing the light bulbs.
The following section will cover traditional incandescent bulbs, as well as a selection of energy efficient lighting solutions. These include halogen lights, LEDs, and CFLs.
Incandescent light bulbs are inexpensive, but extremely inefficient and have a very short lifespan. They produce an appealing, warm attractive color, commonly found in homes and apartment buildings. They have dimming capabilities and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Due to their inefficiency, decorators are encouraged to find more sustainable alternatives.
Halogen light is appealing, crisp, and warm. Halogen lamps are inexpensive and have dimming capabilities. They are however, not as environmentally friendly as CFL and LED bulbs, become extremely hot, and have the same limited life span as incandescent bulbs. Because halogen bulbs are not the most energy- or cost-efficient, they should be cautioned against for ambient lighting that is used for several hours on a daily basis. On the other hand, low voltage halogen bulbs are a good option for task lighting, such as that used for reading, and as focus lighting to highlight artwork.
Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) is inexpensive and environmentally friendly. CFL lamps produce cool colored light and are extremely durable, lasting approximately 10,000 hours. The disadvantages of CFL lamps are their limited spectrum of light and inability to dim. CFL lamps are a good option for low-level lighting needs, such as illuminating stairs and as task lighting under kitchen cabinets.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights are durable and more efficient than CFL bulbs. LED lights come in a range of sizes and produce a range of colors. They are more expensive than CFL and halogen lamps, but their high cost is offset by their durability, which lasts between 35,000 and 50,000 hours.
9.3 Light Fixtures
In section one, you learned why layering ambient, task, focal, and decorative light is important when decorating a space. The light fixture, or framing around the light, is just as important as the light itself. Light fixtures respond to the architecture and interior design of the room and can work either with or against the space. Aptly chosen light fixtures can give a room pizazz and upgrade a room from ordinary to extraordinary.
Light fixtures are not only decorative, but also functional. Different light fixtures produce different levels of light. Light levels are key for producing the desired mood and for producing the proper light for the task at hand. To best control light levels, dimmers should be installed wherever possible. When installing dimmers, attach different fixtures to different dimmers for maximum control.
Just as it is important to layer the type of light, it is important to layer light sources. For example, all recessed or all desk lamps, when correctly positioned, can create attractive layers of light, but repeating the same light fixture makes the overall space rather bland. One example of layered light fixtures is in a dining room where dimmed recessed lights provide ambient lighting, a desk lamp functions as task lighting to illuminate a bar cart, track lights directed at an artwork attract attention to the room's focal point, and an eye-catching chandelier provides decorative light above the dining room table.
As with all other elements of interior decorating, scale is key. When choosing a dramatic light fixture, a decorator must consider the size of the room and how different sized light fixtures will affect the scale and proportion of everything else in the room. Some decorators abide by the rule of multiplying the room's width in feet by two to determine the ideal diameter in inches for a dramatic light fixture. For example, a 10-foot room should have a light fixture that is 20 inches in diameter. Spacing is also important. When installing recessed lighting, the fixtures should be between 12 and 24 inches from the wall and approximately 48 inches from one another. However, this is only a guideline and can change depending on the room's architecture, the type of light fixture, the function of the room, and the desired mood or atmosphere.
The following section will introduce some of the most popular forms of light fixtures, organized by the four layers of lighting.
AMBIENT LIGHTING
Recessed lighting is installed in the ceiling and appears as part of the architecture. Recessed lighting has three components: housing, trim, and light bulb or lamp. The housing is installed in the ceiling and contains the trim and the light bulb. The trim is the style element that is visible. Although there are a wide variety of trims to suit a range of style preferences, the barely-there ribbed interior on the baffle trim is most popular. Trim finishes are available in nearly every color and style, from Tuscan bronze to contemporary bands in satin chrome. Recessed lighting is a sleek option for nearly every room in the house, including the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. It is available in sizes ranging from 3- to 6-inches in diameter, though 6-inch lights are ideal for ambient lighting because they project the widest possible beam.
Wall sconces are light fixtures installed in the wall. They come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and styles, and are effective for small spaces like bathrooms and hallways, as well as larger rooms like the bedroom and dining room. Wall sconces with shades opening upwards are preferred for ambient light, while downward pointing shades are better suited for task lighting. The shades of a wall sconce can contribute to the overall ambience and style of a room. A wire cage in weathered zinc adds to an industrial or retro interior, whereas a crystal accented candle sconce in pewter sends the room back in time to the Victorian era.
TASK LIGHTING
Desk lamps come in a number of sizes, styles, and finishes. When choosing a desk lamp, consider what kind of light bulb it can use, how far the beam spreads, and how the style contributes to the overall style and harmony of the room. Desk lights have a variety of functions outside the office. Desk lamps are often placed next to the bed or sofa in the bedroom or living room as reading lights, and are also sometimes employed as task lighting in the kitchen.
Floor lamps are often positioned in the living room and reading corners next to chairs, couches, or tables. They can produce diffuse ambient light, or focused task light. Because of their inherent size, floor lamps can be dramatic objects with a decorative purpose, even when they are not in use. Consider how the lamp appears when it is turned on and off. Floor lamps, like desk lamps, are available in a range of styles, materials, and sizes. A Club Lamp, for example, is an Old World style featuring a sturdy pole and either glass globe or cloth shade. In comparison, the George Kovac arcing lamp in polished chrome is a staple of contemporary design
Under-cabinet lighting is a favorite feature for people who spend a substantial amount of time in the kitchen. Under-cabinet lighting comes in four main varieties: puck, strip, tape, and rope.
Puck lighting is flexible and can be adjusted to focus on the countertop when working, or to illuminate the backsplash as a method of creating ambient light. Puck lights are installed one at a time underneath the cabinet. For the most even light, install puck lights 8 to 12 inches apart. In comparison to single puck lights, light strips come in a range of sizes and are intended to span the length of the cabinet. Tape lights are small LED lights embedded in a tape strip that adheres to the bottom of the cabinet. Rope lights are wider than tape lights, but follow the same principle.
Under-cabinet lighting is a simple decorating feature that can make any kitchen feel luxurious. When choosing a style, consider how certain countertops look under certain lighting conditions. If working with glossy countertops, look for light fixtures with a softening lens in order to minimize reflection.
FOCAL LIGHTING
Recessed lighting can be good for focal lighting when installed with eyeball trim or wall wash trim. Eyeball trim makes it possible to move and focus the light on a specific subject, while wall wash trim has a shield over half the light and works by evenly focusing the light on a specific feature. For the purpose of highlighting a painting, fireplace, or kitchen island, three-inch recessed lights should be used.
Track lighting is familiar to most people from art galleries and museums. There is good reason for this. Track lighting has the advantage of functioning as a spotlight. Track lighting is comprised of a rail or bar and rotating track heads. Track heads come in several styles and colors to fit any style of interior. Some of the most popular styles are step head, which has a thin neck and follows a bell shape; round back, which has no head and a sleeker, more modern feel; pinhole, which has an exposed back and appears more industrial; and gimbal, which features a flat light surface and the ability to swivel 180 degrees.
DECORATIVE LIGHTING
Chandelier
Chandeliers come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and styles, and can be the quick fix needed to update just about any room. Chandeliers are seen everywhere from the dining room to the bedroom, and from the kitchen to the bathroom. The key to choosing a chandelier, besides selecting a style that matches the rest of the interior, is to find a size that is punchy enough without being overpowering. When selecting a light fixture to go over a dining room table, a general rule is to use a chandelier with a diameter one-third the length of the dining room table. This guideline offers maximum impact without being overwhelming. Another dining room option is to hang two medium-sized chandeliers, as opposed to one large one. Chandelier styles range from Old World candelabras to opulent crystal of the Roaring Twenties. They can feature beaded shells to match a nautical interior or shooting orbs to inspire space-age aspirations.
Pendant light fixtures are similar to chandeliers, in that they hang from the ceiling. Pendant fixtures hang from one cord, rod, or chain, and contain just one, or a pair, of lights, as opposed to chandeliers, which hang in a branched system and usually contain multiple lights. Like chandeliers, pendant lights come in a wide range of styles and materials. Pendant lights are used over kitchen islands, dining room tables, and work desks. They can also illuminate an entryway, staircase, or any other room in the house.
