1. for home lighting design
Lighting Concepts
for home lighting design
Samantha McNern

2. Lighting Principals
Good interior lighting generally includes three elements which work together to provide a pleasing and functional lit environment:
General ambient lighting – can include: downlights, pendants and wall sconces
Decorative lighting – can include: decorative light fittings, spotlighting of artwork or interior and architectural details, or use of contrasting light and shadows
Localised task lighting – can include: table lamps, spotlights and under cupboard or shelf lighting
Together these elements will create an individual lighting scheme in keeping with the design of the home, personal taste of the owners and how each area will be actually be used as a daily living space.
Exterior lighting similarly needs to provide a combination of adequate ambient & task lighting for navigation and security along with feature lighting to highlight the night-time landscape

3. Interior Lighting

4. Interior Lighting approaches
General ambient lighting
Recessed downlights provide even functional lighting but are not always a sympathetic complement to the interior architecture. Therefore it is recommended to use downlights sparingly and consider other solutions such as pendants, wall lights and free standing lamps to create a more homely and individual feel.

5. Interior Lighting approaches
Task Lighting
Specific task lighting reduces the need for bright general lighting. It can even be used in combination with decorative side lighting instead of the main general lighting. In Kitchens task lighting is very useful above work surfaces and can often be positioned under cupboards. Desk and floor lights provide good flexibility for lighting tables and reading in armchairs. Spotlights can also be used where floor lights would restrict movement around furniture. c

6. Interior Lighting approaches
Decorative Lighting
Decorative lighting can serve the purposes of ambient or task lighting as well as being a feature in itself. In choosing a decorative fitting for main lighting it is important to consider its light distribution and efficiency to ensure few fittings are needed and for energy saving over life. Where possible LED or low energy lightbulbs are recommended in decorative fittings.
As well as decorative fittings, light can be used to enhance a room by highlighting artwork and architectural features. Indirect wall & ceiling washing can also be pleasing and give a sense of spaciousness. We make sense of the natural world through light and shadow so contrasting light gives a natural feel indoors as well.

7. Interior Lighting approaches
Picture Lighting Options
If picture lighting is important several approaches are suggested for consideration:
- Wall mounted picture lights can be very precise but mean that the sizes and locations of artworks are fixed.
- A more flexible option is to use gallery style spotlights. These can be fixed or mounted in short discreet tracks and bulbs with different beam angles can be chosen depending on the size of each picture.
- A further solution is even wall washing with light. This serves a dual purpose of lighting wall mounted artwork and has the general effect of making the room feel bright and spacious.

8. Exterior Lighting

9. Exterior Lighting Approach
Lighting to the front of a building needs to provide adequate light for
navigation and security as well as a welcoming main entrance.
At the back of the house lighting mounted to the back walls provide light to terraced areas and for evening navigations.
Steps and paths can be lit using recessed fittings in steps or low wall to wash the ground or in ground recessed fittings.
As the ambient light is low to this side of the garden this can be achieved using small spotlights on ground spikes or inground fittings with adjustable reflector spot lights can be interspered with in planted areas to provide
Exterior Lighting Approach