Interior Design
8 Steps to Perfect Ambient Lighting
Set the ambience and even energy level in your home by enhancing and controlling natural with artificial light
It’s common knowledge that we need general, ambient lighting in our homes, but there are things to consider before you get out the ladder. To avoid surprises, it’s helpful to understand how your new lighting will look. If you recently swapped out your incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent ones, you will likely have discovered that the light quality is different – whiter. The same is true if you have traded in your vintage fairy lights for LED mini lights. All lighting is not alike.
2. Expose your rooms
East-facing homes receive plenty of daylight in the morning while west-facing gets more in the afternoon. Each exposure offers unique lighting. North-facing rooms draw on natural light as well but typically need assistance from an artificial light source.
East-facing homes receive plenty of daylight in the morning while west-facing gets more in the afternoon. Each exposure offers unique lighting. North-facing rooms draw on natural light as well but typically need assistance from an artificial light source.
3. Reflect natural light
This room has lots of natural light, drawing on a less-obvious strategy. Anytime you introduce mirrors, like the ones on the wall behind the sofa here, you reflect and amplify the light.
Tip: Place a mirror opposite any available window if you have a dark room. No matter how small the window, it will bounce more light around.
This room has lots of natural light, drawing on a less-obvious strategy. Anytime you introduce mirrors, like the ones on the wall behind the sofa here, you reflect and amplify the light.
Tip: Place a mirror opposite any available window if you have a dark room. No matter how small the window, it will bounce more light around.
4. Amplify the light
In a room like this with one small window, the white paint amplifies the light. Mirrors on the sides of the window opening also would maximise the natural light.
Tip: Inquire about your paint colour’s light reflectance value (LRV), a measure of how much light a colour absorbs and reflects – especially if your windows are small and there is limited available light. Colour (lighter colours reflect more; darker ones absorb more) and sheen level (more gloss equals more reflection) also have an effect.
How to minimise disruption when improving your lighting needs
In a room like this with one small window, the white paint amplifies the light. Mirrors on the sides of the window opening also would maximise the natural light.
Tip: Inquire about your paint colour’s light reflectance value (LRV), a measure of how much light a colour absorbs and reflects – especially if your windows are small and there is limited available light. Colour (lighter colours reflect more; darker ones absorb more) and sheen level (more gloss equals more reflection) also have an effect.
How to minimise disruption when improving your lighting needs
5. Augment with recessed lighting
Recessed lighting or down lights is a go-to problem solver. The goal is to have each light cast a cone of light to pool on the floor, leaving no dark spots or unlit zones. The ceiling height will determine the placement, because each light will cast a pool of light according to its beam spread.
Tip: Add recessed lighting to any room that needs more lighting than is available from natural light sources. Use LEDs for a clean, white lighting option. Although the initial cost will be considerably higher, they can deliver lighting through a much smaller fixture and last a very long time.
Browse ceiling lights
Recessed lighting or down lights is a go-to problem solver. The goal is to have each light cast a cone of light to pool on the floor, leaving no dark spots or unlit zones. The ceiling height will determine the placement, because each light will cast a pool of light according to its beam spread.
Tip: Add recessed lighting to any room that needs more lighting than is available from natural light sources. Use LEDs for a clean, white lighting option. Although the initial cost will be considerably higher, they can deliver lighting through a much smaller fixture and last a very long time.
Browse ceiling lights
6. Factor in age and health
As we get older, we can become more sensitive to light but also need more light to enable us to see fine details. Reading lamps are essential, but tuning into sensitivities will help make the overall room more soothing.
Some people are sensitive to light for a variety of other reasons; some suffer from migraines (count me in) or epilepsy. Eye colour, medication and some medical conditions can also cause sensitivity to light (photophobia).
Tip: Use dimmers for all your lighting. More important, create zones for your lighting so you can shut down an area that isn’t in use. When possible, install lighting for a main seating area on one circuit and perimeter lights on another. When you shut down lighting on the periphery, you reduce the amount of light bouncing off the walls, allowing for maximum comfort and customisation.
As we get older, we can become more sensitive to light but also need more light to enable us to see fine details. Reading lamps are essential, but tuning into sensitivities will help make the overall room more soothing.
Some people are sensitive to light for a variety of other reasons; some suffer from migraines (count me in) or epilepsy. Eye colour, medication and some medical conditions can also cause sensitivity to light (photophobia).
Tip: Use dimmers for all your lighting. More important, create zones for your lighting so you can shut down an area that isn’t in use. When possible, install lighting for a main seating area on one circuit and perimeter lights on another. When you shut down lighting on the periphery, you reduce the amount of light bouncing off the walls, allowing for maximum comfort and customisation.
7. Up the energy level
Some rooms are hubs for your household’s comings and goings. In these rooms you want ambient light to boost energy.
Tip: Do not skimp on lighting in high-activity-level areas. These may include the family room, breakfast and homework area in your kitchen, or anywhere you want to ramp up the energy level. When you calculate a range for required wattage, err on the side of more rather than less.
And reconsider fluorescent lighting
Fluorescent options have come a long way, so take a look before you say, “No way”. They provide the highest amount of lighting at the most affordable cost, making them great for ambient lighting. They do not generate much heat, and they use very little energy. These are not the 1.2 metre-long tubes you may be remembering from primary school; you can now get fluorescent lights in a recessed can format.
Some rooms are hubs for your household’s comings and goings. In these rooms you want ambient light to boost energy.
Tip: Do not skimp on lighting in high-activity-level areas. These may include the family room, breakfast and homework area in your kitchen, or anywhere you want to ramp up the energy level. When you calculate a range for required wattage, err on the side of more rather than less.
And reconsider fluorescent lighting
Fluorescent options have come a long way, so take a look before you say, “No way”. They provide the highest amount of lighting at the most affordable cost, making them great for ambient lighting. They do not generate much heat, and they use very little energy. These are not the 1.2 metre-long tubes you may be remembering from primary school; you can now get fluorescent lights in a recessed can format.
8. Play with colour, materials, finishes and placement
A light-filled space gives me joy and energy. For others a more cave-like space will have the same effect. It’s all about finding your comfort zone with ambient lighting.
Tip: Use a few strategically placed lights to add personality.
When you develop a lighting plan, look at the features of the room and think in terms of patterns, drawing on the geometry of the room.
A light-filled space gives me joy and energy. For others a more cave-like space will have the same effect. It’s all about finding your comfort zone with ambient lighting.
Tip: Use a few strategically placed lights to add personality.
When you develop a lighting plan, look at the features of the room and think in terms of patterns, drawing on the geometry of the room.
Colour, materials and finish all play into whether a room is bright and airy or dark and moody. Take all of these into consideration. Lighting can enhance or play down these elements.
Lighting is very technical and one of the most complex areas of design. There are so many variables that investing in a great lighting consultant will help you achieve the most comprehensive result best suited to your needs.
TELL US
What kind of natural light does your home receive? How do you boost it? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Ways to Claim the Light in a Dark Bedroom
Singapore lighting designers and suppliers
Lighting is very technical and one of the most complex areas of design. There are so many variables that investing in a great lighting consultant will help you achieve the most comprehensive result best suited to your needs.
TELL US
What kind of natural light does your home receive? How do you boost it? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Ways to Claim the Light in a Dark Bedroom
Singapore lighting designers and suppliers
You have probably heard lighting described as having a colour temperature, which is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). Simply put, this indicates whether the light will appear warm or cool – more yellow or more blue.
Desirable temperatures for home lighting depend on the effect you want to achieve:
• 2,700 K: Warm, similar to soft candlelight
• 2,900 K to 3,200 K: Warm, the Goldilocks zone (for many)
• 3,500 K: Neutral
• 4,000K: Cool. Mimicking natural daylight starts here; the light gets colder depending on the time of day. (Surprisingly the light we perceive from the sun is cool.)
• 5,000 K: Cold
Let personal preference guide you. If you are drawn to rich, warm colours, or your home is mid-century style, lighting that mimics incandescent may be desirable. An industrial modern home might look better with cooler-temperature (whiter) lighting.
Lighting experts draw on a toolbox of techniques to elevate look and functionality, but don’t overlook the basics.
1. Exploit natural lighting
For rooms used primarily during the daytime, natural light can be adequate and inviting. Consider passive light sources first.