Lighting is an essential aspect of any home. It can affect the ambiance, mood, and functionality of a space. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right lighting fixtures for your home. In this blog post, we will provide you with the best tips for choosing and installing home lighting. Whether you’re renovating your home or just want to update your current lighting, these tips will help you make informed decisions and create a beautiful, well-lit space.
The Three Levels of Lighting
General
This layer provides a basic level of light in every room. LED modules, LED strips, luminaries, and spotlights are suitable LED light sources for this purpose. The amount of light required (lux) depends on the function of the room and the occupants’ preferences.
Task
Task lighting is important for specific activities such as reading, cooking, and working from home. Careful selection, positioning, and control are necessary for optimal functionality. LED spotlights and high-flux LED modules are ideal for this purpose. Ensure that lamps or sockets are placed where they’re needed most. While discussing task lighting, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of selecting the right bathroom light fixtures that not only enhance functionality but also complement your bathroom’s aesthetic. Properly chosen and installed, these fixtures can transform an everyday bathroom into a stylish and efficient space.
Accent
Accent lighting is used to enhance the ambiance of a space by highlighting architectural features, furniture, and ornaments. LED spots and strips are commonly used for this purpose and can range from spotlighting to floodlighting, depending on personal preferences and room design.
The Lighting of Each Room in Detail
Living Room
Living rooms require a relaxed atmosphere and adaptable lighting levels and positions. It may be necessary to use a variety of light sources. General lighting can be achieved with a central LED fixture such as a ceiling lamp, pendant, or an array of spotlights. Task lighting can be achieved with spotlights or linear LED lights. Ambient lighting with glare prevention can be achieved using LED cove lights and wall luminaires. The controller should ensure that the floor lighting of the living area can be adjusted to approximately 100-150 lux, with flexibility reduced to a damped value of approximately 50 lux.
Dining Room
Lighting with a color temperature between 2,700K and 3,000K that provides 150 lux at floor level is recommended for dining rooms. Since dining room tables are often used for a variety of activities, it is suggested to have some flexibility in lighting for the table-top, with the ability to provide between 150-200 lux for dining and between 400-500 lux for other tasks like homework or hobbies. Additionally, dining room lighting should have excellent color rendering with at least CRI 96. A large round light fixture is a popular choice for dining rooms and can provide ample lighting for the space.
Bedroom
For bedrooms, it is recommended to use indirect lighting from LED strips or spotlights that direct light onto wall surfaces to reduce glare and provide adequate general lighting. A separate circuit should be provided for bedside lighting, with lighting socket outlets and two-way switching to ensure lights are not left on unnecessarily. Lighting levels should be controllable, with the flexibility to provide subdued levels of 50-100 lux at floor level and a maximum of about 150 lux. Good task lighting should also be provided for activities such as reading, offering focused illumination of up to 400 lux.
Home Office
In order to prevent glare on computer screens and paper-covered desks, it is recommended to arrange diffuse background lighting with a pure white color temperature between 4000K-5000K.
Installation Safety Tips
Turn off Power Sources
Make sure to turn off all power sources, including lights and electronics plugged into nearby outlets, before starting an LED installation to avoid any potential electrical accidents. It’s important to not only turn off the main breaker but also anything else in the vicinity.
Wear Protective Eyewear
LED installation can pose a safety risk due to the glass enclosure around the LED chips. If the chips become too hot, they could shatter the bulb, causing small glass pieces to scatter. It is important to wear protective eyewear at all times when working on an LED installation to prevent injury.
Trust the Professionals
If you plan on installing LED lights in your home, it’s important to be aware of the potential safety hazards. Poor electrical wiring can cause LED lights to explode or start a fire. For this reason, it’s recommended to hire a professional electrician for LED light installation to ensure safety.
Never Use Damaged LED Products
It is important to never use damaged LED light fixtures or other LED lighting products, as this can cause the LED light to flicker and become faulty, which could lead to electrical fires. If you notice any issues with your LED fixture, such as a bulb not turning on or a flickering and sparking fixture, it is essential to replace the LED lighting product immediately.
Conclusion
When selecting and installing home lighting, it is important to consider the three levels of lighting: general, task, and accent lighting. Each room in the home has different lighting needs that must be considered, and safety should be a top priority during installation. By following these tips, you can create a beautiful, functional, and safe lighting design for your home.
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[…] significant decision is switching to energy-efficient LED lighting. LED lights consume significantly less energy compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent […]