Lighting is a key part of the decor. With good lighting you will be able to do your home activities better, and you will feel safer and more comfortable, enjoying your home to the fullest. Each room, however, needs different lighting. Here are some tips and ideas to consider when deciding on lighting for each room in your home. If you are not sure what type of implant you need, or are just looking for inspiration, read this guide!
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Entrance, Hall and Stairs
Step 1. Use lighting and decorations for a good first impression
The entrance often makes the first impression inside a home. Use a traditional centered candle chandelier, a modern pendant or a ceiling mounted lighting fixture to create a warm welcome atmosphere.
Create your "work of art" using halogen or dimmable spotlight tracks. Mirrors are also an extra decorative touch for an entrance
Step 2. However, make sure you measure accurately against space
Not all entrances can have large chandeliers, so make sure the measurements and proportions are correct. Likewise, if you have a lot of space, you will need a wide implant. If your chandelier can also be seen from above, be sure to choose a design that is also attractive from that point of view.
Step 3. Remember that stairs and halls must have good lighting for safety reasons
To avoid accidents, in a staircase there must be light switches at the bottom and at the top. For safety reasons in the halls, it is best to place the lights every 2-3 meters. Combine the fixtures you choose, such as the entrance chandelier with the lounge spotlights and the pendant lights of the stairs.
Step 4. You can also combine wall lamps with these objects
Always mount a wall light above eye level (approximately 170cm from the floor) so that the light source is not visible.
Method 2 of 6: Stay
Step 1. Use the best lighting in the living room
Enhance the ambiance of the room, emphasize the texture of the walls, accentuate the paintings or just give the right lighting to your office, living room, playroom or bedroom. You can use different lighting systems to have a uniform light and to accentuate some areas in particular.
Step 2. Use recessed spotlights for general lighting
It is preferable to do this to hide the light source. In addition, ceiling fixtures, wall lamps or indoor lamps are also an excellent choice and provide ample illumination. These plants are not only decorative, but also serve to illuminate for reading or playing.
Although traditional wall lamps with support arm are always very popular, there are also more modern supports that are becoming more and more popular in the market
Step 3. Try using recessed or track lights to bring a room to life by accentuating the paintings, walls and creating a warm atmosphere
In addition, indoor lamps are excellent.
If table space is limited, wall lights are a good alternative
Step 4. Try fluorescent lamps for better value for money
Method 3 of 6: Dining Room
Step 1. Create a focal point with lighting
The table is in place, the chairs in order. The only thing left to complete the picture is the lighting. This will be the focal point of your room, so it must reflect your style but also meet the requirements for good lighting. The style can be casual and relaxed or more formal, choose according to your preferences.
Step 2. Use a candle or pendant chandelier for general lighting
Both are great for providing the light needed to create a warm atmosphere. Recessed lights in the walls can provide more light creating the illusion that the room is more spacious.
- When installing a chandelier, make sure it is 15-30cm smaller than the length of the narrowest side of the table. The chandelier should stand approximately 75cm from the table.
- Chandeliers with a wattage of 200-400 watts provide abundant lighting for a dining room.
- Consider purchasing a chandelier with a recessed integral light for more illumination.
Step 3. Also add directional lights in the room
You can also use recessed halogen bulbs in the table and / or chandelier. Thus the table will be well lit, highlighting the chandelier as well. If you have sideboards or cabinets, use wall lights on both sides. You can also mount lights inside kitchen cabinets or behind curtains to create more emphasis.
Method 4 of 6: Cooking
Step 1. The kitchen is often the busiest part of the house
Not only do you prepare meals for us, but everyone gets together there. Sufficient and adequate light is very important for culinary purposes, for reading the newspaper and for your kids when they do their homework.
- Make a sketch of your kitchen project that focuses on the important areas, and decide on the appropriate lighting for your needs: general lighting, for tasks to be carried out, decorative or to emphasize certain objects.
- Use high-wattage light bulbs in areas where you will be doing activities.
- A plastic or glass chandelier will provide the necessary light to cover the entire area.
Step 2. Use decorative fluorescent light bulbs in the center of an area where you will be doing certain activities
A kitchen smaller than 10 square meters needs two fluorescent lamps, while one between 10 and 23 square meters needs extra lights. To do this you can use spotlights mounted 45 cm from the edges of the kitchen cabinets, with a space of 7-10 cm from each other in the central areas.
Step 3. Install lights under the kitchen cabinets to illuminate the hob well, to avoid shadows and get more lighting
Fluorescent bulbs are a good low-cost light source. To shed light in the sink area, use recessed spotlights aimed directly at it.
It is ideal to mount small pendant lights 45-60 cm away from the hob to illuminate a breakfast or dinner well; you can also use a pendant light with a switch 60-75cm from the hob. Choose lighting fixtures that are 30 cm smaller than the diameter of the table
Step 4. Illuminate special objects, architectural details or a splendid dinner, using recessed lights
Install light bulbs under kitchen cabinets and cupboards to create more emphasis and have enough light during the evening.
Step 5. Choose fluorescent bulbs to get the missing ambient light
Fluorescent lights reduce shadows, contrasts and brighten vertical surfaces well, giving the space a feeling of clarity.
Method 5 of 6: Bathroom and Vanity
Step 1. Don't forget about the bathroom
Often the bathroom is the place where you want to invest the least. Often the mirrors are not illuminated or there is only one light to illuminate the sink, mirror and shower cubicle. However, hot tubs and steam showers are becoming more and more popular, so more and more time is spent relaxing in the bathroom. Since you start and finish your day in the bathroom, why not spend a few extra bucks to get adequate lighting?
Halogen bulbs are often a classic, but fluorescent ones are also an excellent alternative
Step 2. Use recessed or surface mounted decorative spotlights for bathrooms larger than 10 square meters
Add ceiling lights to brighten and complement the wall brackets. They are often suitable for larger bathrooms.
Step 3. Use mirror lighting, but be aware that it may create shadows
If you use spotlights, avoid mounting them on mirrors to create shadows.
- To avoid shadows, you can add wall supports on either side of the mirror. For mirrors less than 120cm wide, use wall brackets and place them 120-200cm from the floor.
- If you are using an exposed lamp, do not use a wattage greater than 40 watts. Do not use a wattage greater than 75 watts if using clear or glass lighting. If you wish, you can use colored fluorescent bulbs. A lit white light improves the visibility of the skin tone.
Step 4. In some areas you can use additional lights for functional and decorative purposes
Create a beautiful effect by adding a spotlight to illuminate a painting or a beautiful tub.
- In the shower, use recessed spotlights or a plastic lighting unit installed on the ceiling. Angle the light well to highlight the tiles and make the shower interior shine.
- Don't forget the toilet area! It is always better to add a spotlight.
Method 6 of 6: External Lights
Step 1. Use functional and good looking lights for the outdoors
There are many options for highlighting the exterior beauty of a home, or for added security. So you can spend more time outside or party!
Step 2. Consider the types of lighting available
There are two main types of lighting: decorative and functional.
Step 3. You can use decorative lighting for walkways, walls and entrances
The design of these systems must complement the look and style of your home and landscape, while always ensuring sufficient, safe and functional lighting.
If you are installing a wall lantern, measure the installation well according to the door and the surrounding space. These lanterns should be mounted above eye level 150-170cm from the floor. You can choose other additional lanterns according to the style of the wall lantern. Often for a better impression it is good to use street lamps, if you have very large spaces
Step 4. Remember, though, that lantern lights are often a source of dazzling light
They produce light in all directions and can also illuminate outside your property and distract drivers. Many light designers avoid using the lantern style for this reason, replacing it with lights with protection (glare shield) and lights placed near trees and plants for more shelter.
Step 5. Use hidden lights for functionality reasons
They are strategically placed around the house to illuminate plants and specific architectural material. A competent designer places these lights in such a way that only the effect created by the light is visible, not the light itself.
Step 6. Also include some safety lighting
Add a light on the perimeter, terraces and paths to show the beauty of your home and also for safety reasons.
Advice
- While LED lights are very cheap, don't be fooled by what the sellers claim about their 50,000-hour lifespan (roughly 20 years of functionality). This applies to small components and chips, not to the electronic system that allows them to function. LED lights are very sensitive to heat, humidity and voltage spikes.
- Under the warranty you will truly realize the lifespan of an LED light. If you have a one-year warranty for a light that's thought to last 20 years, then here's the clue.
- Use higher wattage in areas where you perform activities, in rooms with ceilings higher than 2.5 meters, and in rooms with dark colored floors and walls.
- If the LED lamp is inside the house in a place where there is good ventilation and is exposed (in a track system), then it could really last a very long time. If, on the other hand, the LED lamp is in a closed system (especially outside the house), then its duration will be drastically reduced because inside a system the temperature is very hot, which does not make "happy" the choice of the LED lamp.
- Add an adjustable switch and set the tone of your room's lighting.
- If you buy a lamp with a three-step switch, you will need a suitable bulb.
