The quantity and quality of illumination, the
impression it creates about the merchandise and the effect it has on the
appearance of the space are all factors in a successful lighting design. A
designer must consider a variety of key characteristics when developing their
lighting plan including lamp life, system efficiency, lumen maintenance, color
rendering and appearance, daylight integration and control, light distribution,
points of interest, cost, system control and flexibility.
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Create a warm and inviting environment while making it functional and safe
•
Integrate and balance ambient, task and accent lighting into every room to
allow for a variety of settings and moods
•
Establish a path of illumination through the house to allow comfortable
transition and movement from room to room
•
Enhance and strengthen the character of the living space by highlighting areas
of interest and architectural details
•
Design a flexible lighting scheme to take you from dawn to dusk and a system
that is easy to maintain
•
Address energy efficiency and code issues
When lighting a residential space, consider
the following:
• Size and shape of the space
•
Traffic patterns through the home
• How
the room will be used: there is almost always some type of task involved in
each space and some tasks require more light than others
• The
ceiling height and shape: light will be reflected off these surfaces and
contribute to the ambient light level in the room
• Age
of the persons living in the space: the older we get, the more we are adversely
affected by glare
•
Color of the walls: darker walls absorb more light and may require higher
levels of illumination
• Art
work and highlight areas: determining the pieces and places to be highlighted
helps determine the number of accent lights needed
•
Families of luminaries: recessed downlights used as adjustable accents and wall
washers should match in aperture size and trim finish as well as use similar
lamp types. Complement these choices with the same, or similar, finished
fixtures to avoid drawing attention to the lighting system.
LAYERS OF LIGHT
GENERAL LIGHTING
General lighting is the main source of
illumination in a space. This uniform, base level of lighting can easily become
the focus of energy reduction, as the light levels from other fixtures can be
lowered. Recommended light levels for general lighting is 30 - 50 footcandles.
It provides the area with overall illumination, more specifically for
orientation and general tasks. Ambient lighting should radiate a comfortable
level of brightness and provide a sense of relaxation and spaciousness. The
light level should be uniform throughout the space, inconspicuous and neutral.
A simple way to achieve this is by arranging recessed fixtures using
reflectors, baffles, and lensed trims in overlapping positions. Perimeter lighting,
or wall washing, helps define spaces, provides vertical lighting and makes the
space feel larger. Done with sconces or wall washers, vertical lighting creates
a pleasant, welcoming environment and adds to the visibility and visual impact
of the space. It is important that vertical surfaces are lit for visual
comfort, spaciousness and visual and directional cues.
TASK LIGHTING
Task lighting is used to illuminate an area
for a specific task; providing a focused, localized, and higher level of
illumination. Necessary to the functioning of a space, it is important to use
energy efficient sources to reduce operating costs. Task lighting is most
effective when used as a supplement to general lighting in workspaces,
conference areas and on counter tops. Effective task lighting should eliminate
shadows on the specific illuminated area, while preventing glare from the lamp
or off surfaces. Although ambient light should still provide the majority of
illumination, task lighting reduces the reliance on overhead lighting, and
provides a better quality of light for specific tasks. Recommended light levels
for task areas are 50 – 200 footcandles. When lighting a task area, take into
account the difference in brightness, or contrast, between the task area and
the surrounding space. A 3:1 ratio of task lighting to general illumination
provides a nice contrast. The amount of light needed on the task, or luminance,
is usually the most flexible variable of task lighting, and can be increased to
compensate for low contrast levels. TASK LIGHTING 12 Decorative lighting serves
a dual purpose: not only to contribute to the lighting layers in a retail
environment, but also to enhance the look of the space as a design element.
Decorative lighting includes pendants, sconces, chandeliers, table and floor
lamps, and cylinders. Decorative lighting should complement and add visual
interest to the interior, as well as provide or contribute to the overall
lighting plan. Pendants should be mounted 6 - 8 feet above the finished floor
(a.f.f.) so they are still within view, but not too low as to deter visual
communication. Wall sconces and wall mounted cylinders should be mounted
approximately 5-1/2 feet a.f.f.; this helps to create a sense of human scale.
Adding décor, beauty and style using decorative lighting is also an important
reflection of a store’s brand image, and reinforces the theme and style of the
space. Decorative lighting can also contribute a feeling of hospitality and
comfort to the retail experience, putting shoppers at ease and encouraging a
longer visit, which can potentially lead to more sales. By combining and
layering these lighting types, your store environment will be more attractive,
exciting, and inviting.
ACCENT LIGHTING
Accent lighting reinforces design aesthetics
and creates a dramatic emphasis on shapes, textures, finishes and colors. It
creates a visual interest in the space and can enhance almost anything. It adds
depth, contrast and creates a focal point; it highlights shape, texture, finish
and color. If this light is directed ambiguously, the end result may have many
unwanted shadows obstructing the details of the highlighted items as well as
distracting glare. The key is to make this illumination more precise and of
higher intensity than the surrounding ambient light. Track fixtures, recessed
housings with adjustable trims and concealed adjustable illumination with point
source lamps provide directional control and are especially effective for
accent lighting. They are easy to aim precisely to highlight products’ best
attributes and influence the customers’ impression. Accenting everything and
emphasizing nothing is a common mistake with accent lighting; always keep in
mind that there such a thing as providing too much light. The IESNA recommends
a 5:1 ratio of accent lighting to ambient light to make objects stand out and
create a significant visual effect; dark merchandise may require a higher ratio
to bring out detail. Recommended light levels for accent lighting are between
150 – 500 footcandles. For feature displays, higher ratios of 15:1 or 30:1 are
used, especially to create sparkle in jewelry or crystal.
DECORATIVE LIGHTING
Decorative lighting serves a dual purpose:
not only to contribute to the lighting layers in a retail environment, but also
to enhance the look of the space as a design element. Decorative lighting
includes pendants, sconces, chandeliers, table and floor lamps, and cylinders.
Decorative lighting should complement and add visual interest to the interior,
as well as provide or contribute to the overall lighting plan. Pendants should
be mounted 6 - 8 feet above the finished floor (a.f.f.) so they are still
within view, but not too low as to deter visual communication. Wall sconces and
wall mounted cylinders should be mounted approximately 5-1/2 feet a.f.f.; this
helps to create a sense of human scale. Adding décor, beauty and style using
decorative lighting is also an important reflection of a store’s brand image,
and reinforces the theme and style of the space. Decorative lighting can also
contribute a feeling of hospitality and comfort to the retail experience,
putting shoppers at ease and encouraging a longer visit, which can potentially
lead to more sales. By combining and layering these lighting types, your store environment
will be more attractive, exciting, and inviting.
APPLICATION SOLUTIONS
ENTRY WAYS
Outside, the entrance to the home should be
well lit to welcome guests and identify visitors. Inside, the ambient lighting
should provide an inviting atmosphere and ensure safe passage into other areas
of the home. Ceiling mounted fixtures are perfect for providing a soft, warm
ambient light to welcome visitors into your home.
STAIR AND HALLWAYS
Stairways and hallways are two areas of the
home that need to be especially well lit for safety. In the hallway, fixtures
should be placed every 4-6 feet. An effective technique for lighting these
areas is wall washing; it defines form and space while highlighting texture,
visually increasing the size of a room and making the space seem lighter and
more open. The lighting on the wall may have a varied, scalloped look or an
even “wash” of light, depending on the spacing of the fixtures.
UTILITY ROOMS
Well diffused ambient lighting, such as
recessed lighting, is usually sufficient for the utility room. However, if
there are specific task areas, such as sorting and mending, consider a line of
track lighting with pendant fixtures for a higher level of illumination over
this area and to add a splash of color and elegance to the space.
BATHROOMS
Safety, function and aesthetics are primary
considerations when lighting a bathroom. The light should be bright enough,
even at night, to move around safely; even and shadow-free to allow grooming
practices. Recessed lighting is ideal for the bathroom as it casts comfortable,
glare-free illumination. ConTech Lighting offers a wide variety of recessed
housings with an assortment of damp location listed trims for the bathtub and
shower areas. For specific task areas, such as the sink and mirror, consider
using ConTech’s wall sconces to flank the mirror or using a line of flexible
track with pendants hung from the ceiling
BEDROOMS
In the bedroom, it is important to focus on
the overall mood. The lighting should be flexible for different moods using a
combination of ambient and task lighting to provide bright enough illumination
for reading and other tasks. Smaller, light-colored rooms may not need as much
ambient lighting, as there may be enough reflection from the other layers of
light to compensate. Larger rooms with darker surfaces may need more ambient
lighting, as dark colors absorb more light. Accent lighting can be used to
highlight artwork and architectural details. Consider using recessed lighting
near the head of the bed, with a switch or dimmer nearby, to highlight the bed
and provide task lighting for reading. Using dimmers gives the ability to
control different light levels independently, so the room can adapt to
different moods as desired.
HOME OFFICES
Now more than ever, the home is becoming a
place for work: between 20 and 40 million people do some type of work at home.
The home office is also a place for homework and research, paperwork and bills.
It is important to create a comfortable environment free of harsh contrasts and
distracting glare, especially on computer monitors. Task lighting should focus
on work areas; a strip of track lighting over the desk or track pendants over
the desk area help illuminate details and prevent eyestrain. Pictures and
professional certificates can be accented by adjustable track fixtures.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING
For an
added sense of protection in the home, ConTech offers emergency lights. A power
outage is often unexpected, and never welcome. ConTech’s emergency lights are
equipped with a battery that provides more than 90 minutes of emergency
illumination. The battery is automatically charged and kept at peak readiness,
and when power is restored, the battery is automatically recharged to the
proper level. These fixtures can be used effectively in any area of the home
including the kitchen, bedrooms, stairways, basement and garage.
KITCHENS
Kitchens have become the ultimate multi-use
room, the heart of the home. They need plenty of ambient and task lighting to
be efficient and functional. Recessed fixtures provide a layer of ambient light
that can be supplemented with task lighting. ConTech’s undercabinet lighting
provides ideal task lighting for work surfaces and counter tops, and reduces
shadows and overhead glare. The same undercabinet fixtures can be mounted above
the cabinets to reflect light off the ceiling, contributing to the overall
ambient light level and adding visual interest to the room. Breakfast nooks and
kitchen islands can be lit with one of ConTech’s mono-point pendants set on a
dimmer and accented with one of our distinctive shades to allow adequate task
lighting for homework or hobbies and allow lower, cozier light level for meals.
DINING ROOMS Lighting in the dining room should be beautiful and functional.
Typically, a chandelier or track system with string pendants and elegant glass
shades are the focal point of a room. Set on a dimmer, a soft glow can be
created, similar to candlelight. Recessed or track lighting provide ambient
lighting and highlight any prize possessions in the room such as artwork or
sculpture. Undercabinet lighting is a perfect accent to a china cabinet, hutch
or breakfront. Mounted inside, it becomes a showpiece highlighting beautiful china
or glass. Wall sconces can flank either side of the sideboard or buffet,
contribute to the ambient lighting in the room as well as highlight display
objects.
LIVING
AND FAMILY ROOMS
A
variety of activities take place in the living room: general entertaining,
watching television, working on the computer, homework, reading… the correct
light levels must be incorporated to suit each activity and mood. Accent
lighting should be on artwork and architectural details. Track lighting and
adjustable recessed downlights are good choices for these highlights. Wall
washing is ideal for book shelves and large artwork. Sconces flanking either
side of the fireplace work beautifully with a line of recessed or track
fixtures above, making the fireplace the focal point of the room. Undercabinet
lighting under shelving units contribute to the ambient lighting or on top of
the units to accent the ceiling, expand the space and add visual interest to
the room. Glare can distract from TV watching or computer use. Be sure that the
light levels near these areas are lower to maintain the screen image.
REDUCING ENERGY IN THE HOME
As energy costs continue to rise, homeowners
are looking for simple ways to reduce energy costs. The most tried and true
practice is to turn off lights when a room is not in use. Choose the right
fixtures for your home, which also means choosing the right light source.
Incandescent lamps provide excellent color and are easily dimmable, but also
consume a lot of energy and burn out quickly. Compact fluorescent lamps use 75%
less energy, are more efficient and run at a cooler temperature. LED Sources
offer great quality, lower energy use, and longer life - the best of both
worlds. Look for fixtures that use one higher wattage lamp, rather than several
lamps with lower wattages. To get the most out of your lighting design, keep
fixtures and lamps free of dirt and debris. Dirt can absorb as much as 50% of
the light emitted from a lamp. Whenever possible, use dimming controls. They
give flexibility to the lighting plan and lower light levels to conserve energy
and increase lamp life.
