Let there be light!
- Debbie Anastassiou
- Sep 5, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 30
What do theaters, entertainment venues, or stadiums share with home interiors? The answer is lighting! It's the most crucial element in interior design.
Venues and businesses seek the best and latest in lighting technology. Without effective lighting, these venues would fail to entertain and, as a result, would not be chosen for high-quality events.
Good lighting clearly enhances the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of spectators or audiences, while also highlighting performances in a way that only excellent lighting can. It makes the entire experience of a show, game, or performance unforgettable.
A dimly lit interior threatens our well-being and diminishes the enjoyment of our living areas.
But when it comes to our homes, is lighting really this essential? Is it truly the most significant aspect of a home's interior? Yes, it is! Furthermore, experts agree that it is crucial!
Lighting influences our health in numerous ways, both emotionally and physically.
For instance, it affects our sleep patterns and other bodily functions, but I'll leave the scientific details to the experts, as this blog focuses on lighting in interior design.
For more insights into the science of lighting, I recommend the book by Jason Livingstone.
Designing With Light: The Art, Science, and Practice of Architectural Lighting Design is a comprehensive introduction to the intelligent use of lighting to define and enhance a space. The book explores all aspects of the process, including aesthetics, technology, and practicalities, in a clear, concise manner designed to provide the reader with a full working knowledge of lighting design. Color illustrations throughout demonstrate the real-world effects of the concepts presented, and the companion website offers video animations and exercises to better illuminate the art and science of lighting. The book addresses the considerations that should be a part of any designer's process, and provides thorough guidance on meeting the various demands with smarter design.
Make it a priority.
Some people prefer to cut costs on lighting to allocate funds to what they believe are more important aspects, such as furniture and wall painting. While these elements are indeed important, they are lower priority since they can be added long after the project is finished. I've been contacted numerous times by clients seeking advice on enhancing their lighting because it wasn't done correctly during construction. Although solutions are available, they tend to be more expensive and disruptive at this later stage.
Understanding the value of good lighting and its impact on interior design and our quality of life encourages us to budget for it during the planning phase of our project.
Although the single LED bulb in the ceiling is essential, it is not the ultimate solution for lighting. Perth Interior Designers
What exactly constitutes good illumination? Are we discussing lumens, light temperature, or the differences between incandescent bulbs, LEDs, and fluorescent lights?
While these factors are important, they don't represent the whole picture.
There are numerous other aspects of lighting that, when expertly applied, contribute to the success of interior design in our living spaces. The reality is that a single LED bulb on the ceiling, while essential, is not the ultimate solution for lighting in interior design.
General illumination and task lighting are fundamental. However, in the realm of interior design, lighting acts as a versatile tool, much like a Swiss knife. An interior designer uses it to enhance or alter the perception of volume, proportion, and ambiance within a space. It can create architectural illusions, accentuate, define, and highlight various aspects, elements, and objects in a room. Additionally, lighting can serve as a wall treatment, offering patterns or virtual color washes. Of course, it also plays a crucial role in setting the mood and ambiance. All of these effects and more are possible with lighting, the single most important element in interior design!
I believe I've sufficiently emphasized the importance and role of lighting in interior design, so I'll now simplify things. When considering lighting options, there are three main categories to keep in mind.
Three Primary Types of Lighting
1. Ambient or General Lighting
This is the primary source of light in a room. As illustrated below, fixtures that offer this type of lighting include recessed or surface-mounted canister lights (downlights), as well as suspension and oyster lights.
Five examples of ambient lighting used in our various projects
2. Task lighting
Supplementary lighting includes table, desk, and floor lamps, pendant lights above work surfaces, wall fixtures on a bed wall instead of bedside lamps, and strip lighting under cabinets to illuminate countertops, as well as staircase lighting.
3. Accent Lighting
Lighting primarily used for decorative purposes, including cove, strip, niche, and spot lighting, along with wall fixtures.
Above - 1 & 2 examples of designer accent lighting. 3, 4 &5 , examples from our projects
Below - example of how this bespoke suspension fixture by 'Satelite Design', serves both as task and accent lighting and we used commercial type down lights as a design feature for this industrial/postmodern interior.
To sum up
Lighting is connected to our quality of life.
Prioritizing lighting in a building or renovation project is both practical and wise. Gaining knowledge about lighting in interior design, or consulting an expert, is an invaluable asset.
Our homes are where our lives unfold and our families flourish. Demanding the best lighting acknowledges its importance, as lighting is truly the most crucial aspect of interior design.
Illuminate your life - ensure there is good lighting!
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