Don’t underestimate the effect lighting can have when planning your dream home! Many people leave lighting last when it comes to home design, but in fact, it can have a significant effect on the atmosphere of the house. In this article, we’ll cover how to plan lighting for a house in a cost-effective, efficient and stylish way.
How to Plan Lighting for a House - the basics
The main thing to keep in mind when planning lighting is not to over or underdo it. Nobody needs twenty downlights in one room! Put lighting where it’s needed and where it offers the best results. Most spaces in your home will require 2-3 types of lighting: general, task and accent lighting.
The three layers of lighting you need to think:
1. Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting forms the foundation of all lighting in your home. It’s the soft light used to illuminate the room naturally, for example with chandeliers and overhead lighting.
2. Task Lighting
Think reading lights, desk lamps, lights inside cabinets… these are practical lights for work areas.
3. Accent Lighting
Wall lights and spotlights are examples of accent lighting, used to highlight specific areas and features in the home.
Modern LED lighting is both energy-efficient and effective when placed thoughtfully. There are a variety of ways to install LED lighting, including:
- Dimmable downlights
- Wall lights
- Pendants
- Oyster lights
- Spotlights
Using a variety of different directions in lamps and LED lights allows you to create an atmosphere that is both homey and stylish. There is an ideal light solution to each space in the home! Read on to find out six key tips on how to plan lighting for a house.
6 Tips to Plan Effective and Stylish Lighting for a House
When planning the lighting of your home, think a least of the following aspects:
1. Tasks performed
Start by asking yourself what tasks will be performed in each space and what lighting they require. Examples include a light above the kitchen bench for cooking, over desks and cupboards, and at face-level by the bathroom mirror. Are there areas that have more than one purpose? Think about your lifestyle and how you spend time in your home.
2. Floorplan
When planning lighting, it’s crucial that you have a floorplan handy. Make it to scale and plan where your furniture will go and what the use of each area is. This way, you’ll have a clearer idea of what areas need additional light, rather than just guessing. Aim for a balance of general lighting and accent lights to light up key areas.
3. Daylight
To make your home more energy-efficient, think about where natural light will come in. Ideally, you’ll want a home that only needs natural light during the daytime. Don’t fall into the trap of using more artificial light than you need!
4. Ambience
As your lights will mainly be on at night, it’s important to create the right night-time ambience. The lights don’t need to be as bright as sunshine during the day! In fact, most people will prefer visually comforting, cosy lighting at night. Especially in bedrooms and living spaces, you may want to consider dimmable lights.
5. Areas to highlight
Are there any decorative elements you want to highlight? For example, pieces of art, a bookshelf, a piece of furniture, a photo wall… Lighting is key to displaying the highlights of your home in the way they deserve.
6. Interior colours and materials
What colours and materials are used in the home? This is important to consider, as dark surfaces will absorb the light. On the other hand, white surfaces reflect light, distributing it further.
Getting lighting design right
There’s so much more to lighting design that choosing the number of downlights you need. Don’t leave it last in your home planning!
Did you know lighting uses up 8-15% of the average Australian household’s electricity budget? Well-designed lighting can also help you save on energy. What’s more, it helps create a comfortable, visually appealing and safe environment in your home.
Need a hand with planning the lighting for your home in Brisbane? Our experienced electricians can help create a lighting design that ticks all the boxes!