Lighting up the Fourth! Residential Lighting Basics
Have you ever tried baking a cake in the dark? It’s a challenge! As space designers, we know lighting plays an integral role in any kitchen or bath plan. There are different kinds of lighting we use and a variety of sources for the light we need.
How we combine or layer lighting depends on many factors:
Size and shape of the room
Ceiling height
Color of the walls
Materials in the space – glass which reflects light; granite and wood which absorb light
How the space will be used
General lighting is ambient and can come from lamps and recessed lighting. Task lighting might be under-cabinet LED strips or fixtures in a bathroom. Depending on the proximity to water, some lighting fixtures need to be ‘wet area’ approved. We light pathways to help us navigate through hallways and up and down staircases, inside and outside of our homes. Other considerations are wall sconces, and will they protrude too much, if we are passing through a narrow hallway.
Of course, natural lighting plays a big role in all of this as well. Another aspect of the lighting plan is the placement of windows, doors and skylights.
We add decorative lighting that might not add a great deal of illumination but they contribute to the overall ambiance of the space. We often add pendants over kitchen islands that are decorative and contribute to the overall style of the space. There is also specialty lighting for spotlighting artwork, musical instruments and other special collections. We often put lights in cabinetry that will display art objects.
Another consideration is the temperature of the lighting: warm, neutral or cool. The cast of different kinds of bulbs – incandescent, fluorescent, LED – determines the temperature. We try to balance all of the lighting to prevent shadows and make sure all of the key areas are covered.
Good lighting plans consider all of the factors and types of lighting available. The bottom line is: you don’t have to ever bake a cake in the dark!
