Lighting is an often underestimated part of our homes and businesses.

Besides
having a huge impact on aesthetics and functionality, it can also have profound effects on
your mood, emotions, and well being. As the days get shorter and shorter and we approach
the darker days of fall and winter, it’s important to emphasize just how important our indoor
lighting is.
Psychological and Physiological Effects of Light
 Emotions (both positive and negative) are felt more intensely under bright light

 Excessive light at night, including electronic media, can create difficulties sleeping and
exacerbate sleeping disorders (Consider installing lux on your electronic devices to
combat the negative effects of blue light).
 Students and workers are healthier, happier, and more productive when there is more
natural light (daylighting). “Daylighting also decreases utility costs and improves the
well-being of building occupants.”

Lighting Design Factors:

 Size and space  Surface characteristics
 Occupant’s age and preference  Color appearance
 Ceiling height and shape  Lighting controls and distribution
 Color of walls and furniture  Source, task, and eye geometry
 Existing lights and electrical setups  Economics and energy efficiency
 Daylight integrations  Spatial perceptions
 Traffic patterns  Level of illumination (lux)
 Shadows and reflections  Psychological and physiological factors
 Points of interest, art work, and  Electrical codes, documentation, and
highlight areas specification

Although we can give you some general guidelines for how to light the different
rooms in your home, every home is different and requires specialized attention. Take this
guide as a starting point, but remember that you will probably need to consult with a
professional in order to get your space exactly how you want it.
Remember, that color is also a huge contributor to your psychological and
physiological states. The color of your rooms combined with the color temperature of your
lighting can mean the difference between feeling sluggish and depressed or lively and
optimistic.

Lighting Design Layers:

Most lighting designers think in terms of three main lighting categories:
1. General or Ambient Lighting
These are called “general” or “ambient” because they are simply used to make an
interior space visible. They provide general lighting for a space and are sometimes used
to refer to natural, or existing light. Think of general/ambient light as natural light
combined with light coming from normal room lights.
2. Task Lighting
Task lighting is directed lighting toward a specific area to give more detail to objects and
provide safe passage. Any close-range work such as cooking, sewing, drawing, and
writing should have task lighting—enough to see a flaws in canvas and clothing.
3. Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is used to “accentuate” features and add visual interest to an object or
area. It’s the extra special something that makes people go “oooh” and “aaahh.” Use
accent lights to add drama and change the mood of a room.
Lighting Fixture Types
It can be useful to sort lighting fixture types into a couple main categories to make your
lighting design a little easier:
1. Surface Lights
Surface-mounted fixtures are visible and are usually flush against the ceiling or wall.
They are most commonly used in entryways, hallways, and bedrooms.
2. Pendant Lights
Pendant fixtures hang down from the ceiling by a cord, cable, or chain. They are usually
found in dining rooms and kitchens, especially in home with higher ceilings.
3. Recessed Lights
Recessed lighting is hidden away, usually in a ceiling cavity, so you can’t see the light
source directly. This type of indirect lighting, usually in the form of downlight/potlights,
can be used effectively in any room of the home. Just be careful not to go overboard as
you want a variety of light sources and types
4. Track Lights
Track lighting can provide a lot of flexible lighting options. There are multiple bulbs on
one track, with multiple circuits and voltages. You can choose to have them suspended
from the ceiling like pendant lights or surface-mounted, like surface light. The variety of
finished, colors, and styles can be overwhelming, so speak with a lighting professional
before making a final decision.

5. Portable Lights
Portable lights are just what you would expect them to be — portable. They are usually
plugged into an electrical outlet by their cord, however, battery-operated portable
fixtures are becoming more and more popular. Portable lights are typically uses for
desks and bedside tables. You can sometimes achieve the look you are looking for by
adding some floor lamps to the area. The key to lighting design is to have a variety of
fixtures, color temperatures, and styles.

6. Landscape Lighting
We aren’t focusing on landscape (or outdoor) lighting in this article, but you should know
that they are a whole other category in itself. Landscape lighting encompasses bullet
lights, flood lights, motion sensors, deck lighting, security lighting, and well and wash
lights.
Color Temperature
CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) is the measure of the light’s color appearance.
Light tends to fall into three different categories (all measured in Kelvin):
 Warm  Neutral  Cool

Light color is measured on the Kelvin (K) scale. Lower numbers mean the light
appears yellowish, and higher numbers mean the light is whiter or bluer.
It’s important to take into consideration the color temperature of your lights. Consult the
images below to find the color temperature of your choice:
The scale shows the warmest colors at the bottom and the coolest colors at the
top; naturally, the natural colors will fall in the middle. When shopping for light bulbs, you
will probably notice these labels: soft white (2700K – 3000K), bright white/cool
white (3500K – 4100K), and daylight (5000K – 6500K). Make sure you choosing the
right color temperature bulb for your needs:
WARM LIGHT:
Adds a warm, cozy feel to the room, best for bedrooms and living rooms.
NEUTRAL LIGHT:
The whiter light is best for areas that require energy and focus, such as the kitchens,
bathrooms, garages, and utility rooms.
COOL LIGHT:
This bright, blueish/whitish light is most similar to noon on a sunny day. This type of
lighting is great for reading, projects, and other hobbies. Cooler light is better for areas
where you need extra attention to detail, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Entry ways
You should have the entry ways and hallways well-lit for family members and guests.
The lighting should ensure safe passage from your entry to other areas of your home.
Ceiling fixtures are perfect for this. They can provide you with the ambient light
necessary to provide a warm welcoming.
 Avoid potlights/downlights, which can create high
contrast shadows.
 Use accent lighting on artwork.
 Consider using tracks lighting to create a wall
wash.
 A pendant light near the door can create a
welcoming area.
 Make sure switches are easily accessible.
 Use LEDs and CFLs to save money, as these
lights are on for extended periods of time

Stairs and Hallways

Your stairs and hallways should be lit well enough to provide safety for the people
that are using it. In your hallways, consider installing fixtures every 4-6 feet is an
effective way of lighting the area, defining its formal and shape while also highlighting
artwork and textures. Light can also be used to make the space seem more expansive,
lighter, and spacious.
Consider varied light sources, such as wall lights, wash lights, but it will all
depend on the space of the room and the spacing of your fixtures.
Utility Rooms and Garages
Your utility rooms and garages, such as laundry and work spaces, will want
plenty of ambient and recessed lighting. Your utility rooms require task lighting, which
can be a combination of track lighting and pendant fixtures of higher illumination. Add
some color and illumination to your utility rooms to focus on things such as sorting,
mending, and fixing.
 Avoid potlights/downlights that create shadows.
 Consider installing moisture-proof fluorescent fixtures for full, even light.
 Don’t place lights directly overhead your vehicles.
 Use task lighting for work areas, and over appliances and tables.

Bathrooms
The primary objectives of your bathroom are safety, function, and aesthetics, as
they are for most rooms. You should have bright light in your bathrooms that is even and
shadow-free. We recommend recessed lighting for your bathroom since it frees up
space and provides a clean, glare-free look
 Above the mirrors and sinks, you can use a
pendants hung from the ceiling or wall sconces.
 Make sure strong, neutral/cool light is directed
toward your face as you stand in front of the
mirror.
 Consider adding a small LED light to your GFCI
outlets to provide some emergency light at night.
 If you have a tub, some dimmable lighting over
the head area can be a great addition.
 If it hasn’t been done already, separate your light
switches from your fan switch

Kitchens
Kitchens aren’t just places where you cook anymore. They have become a center
point for the home and are used for a variety of tasks, including cooking, eating, working,
cleaning, and hanging out. You will need plenty of ambient light, supplemented by some task
lighting.
You can add under cabinet lights to add visual interest and illuminate your work
surfaces, combined with recessed lighting in your ceilings to reduce shadows and glare.
If you have a kitchen island or breakfast nook, you can light it using a pendant light or
chandelier (with a dimmer).
Dimmers in your kitchen allow you to dim the lights for a more romantic atmosphere or raise
the lights for adequate task lighting for hobbies and other work.
 You can use undercabinet lighting under the front
of cabinets to provide task lighting for your
counters.
 You use the kitchen a lot, so consider energy-
efficient light bulbs like LEDs.
 Add multiple lighting layers with separate controls
for greater flexibility.
Dining Room
Dining rooms should have the most beautiful light fixtures. They are the focal point of
the room, so invest in a good fixture for above the table. Typically, you will see a chandelier
or some kind of pendant light above the dining room table, but you have other options as
well, including track lighting and string pendants. Elegant glass can be used to dim the light
and provide an almost candle-like feel. And as with most rooms, we recommend installing a
dimmer so that you can control the illumination levels. For certain meals, you may want a
soft glow, but for activities like board games and puzzles, you will want to make sure
everything is lit up.
 Recessed and wall lighting can help highlight art
and other decorations and prized possessions.
 If you have a china cabinet or breakfront, you can
mount undercabinet lights to highlight your
expensive china and silverware.
 Wall sconces can create a beautiful effect as well,
especially if they are installed on both sides of a
decorative cabinet, sideboard, or buffet.
 If you have track lighting or recessed lighting, aim
the light toward the walls to create ambient light.
 Create layers of lighting with chandeliers,
pendants, downlights, and sconces.

Living Rooms
The family/living room is usually where families spend the most time. Sometimes the
dining room is the living room. In any case, since we spend the majority of our waking hours
in the living room, it’s especially important to have a lighting scheme that works for you.
Keep in mind the activities that are performed in the living room— watching TV, working on
the computer, reading, hanging out, and much more. For the living room, we recommend
installing track lighting and adjustable recessed downlighting that can help highlight artwork,
sculptures, and architectural details.
 Use multiple lighting layers with dimmable light.
 Use portable lighting for more flexibility and
control.
 Use wall washing for bookshelves and artwork to
make the space seem more spacious and
luxurious.
 If you have a fireplace, it always looks good when
there are sconces or wall lights flanking it on both
sides.
 As in the dining room and kitchen, if you have
cabinets and shelving, undercabinet lighting can
really add to the visual interest of the room.
 Make sure that when you are installing your lights, you don’t have glare on your TV screen.
Use dimmers and lower light levels for these areas.
 Downlights, accents, and portable lights, combined with some ambient lighting, can make
your living room more intimate and interesting.

Offices
More and more people are working from home, which means that the home
office is taking on a higher importance. In order to be focused and productive, you will
want enough light for reading and other tasks.
 You may not need as much ambient light since accent and task lighting can
usually provide enough illumination, but some sort of ambient/accent combination
should be utilized. Darker offices require more ambient lighting as dark colors absorb
more light.
 Try to minimize glare, especially on computer
screens.
 Use direct and indirect lighting to create bright,
low-glare light.
 Use energy-efficient light bulbs.
 Cooler light (3,000 – 5,000K) is better for home
offices.
And consider the importance of natural
light on productivity levels. You will want to choose
your office space wisely, as windows can increase
your health, happiness, and productivity.

Bedroom Lighting
The bedroom is an extremely important area to pay attention to. You will want to take
several factors into consideration, including the size and scale of the room.
Bedrooms usually have some sort of ambient lighting combined with task lighting for reading
and other tasks. Consider adding recessed lighting with dimmer controls above the head of
the bed, but avoid installing lights directly above the bed. Smaller, light-colored bedrooms
may not need as much ambient lighting. If you have
a lot of mirrors in your bedroom, there may be
enough reflective live from other lighting sources to
compensate.If you have darker colors in your
bedrooms, you might want to add some more
ambient lighting. If you have artwork or details that
you want to highlight, consider adding accent
lighting.A game-changer for the bedroom are
dimmer and other lighting controls. This gives you
the ability to control the light levels for different lights
in your room. You can change the lighting situation
depending on your mood at the moment.

Other tips for bedroom lighting include:

 Consider the scale and height of the room.
 Use softer, shaded fixtures for sitting areas.
 Use direct lighting for desks, vanities, etc.
 Don’t install lights directly over the bed.
 Try to use light bulbs of lower wattage.
 Consider colored bulbs to change the mood.
 Make sure fabrics are far away from hot bulbs.
 Use fluorescent lights for the closet.
 Install dimmers and other lighting controls.
 Use flexible lamps for your reading light.
 Create ambient light with downlights and pendant fixtures.
 Control glare for tasks like reading.
 Consider lights that can be changed from uplight to downlight.
 Choose efficient light sources, like LEDs and CFLs.
 Consider fluorescent lights above closet doorframes and downlights for your walls.
General Interior Lighting Tips
 Dimming controls are highly recommended for cutting electricity use and providing more
flexible lighting options.
 Make use of lighter colors and reflections to create the atmosphere you desire.
Consider adding mirrors and reflective surfaces for a shinier and brighter appearance.
 Be wary of colored light bulbs. You will want to use these sparingly. Reds and warmer
colors are better for creating an inviting atmosphere in dining rooms and living rooms,
while blues and cooler colors should be reserved for calmer areas like the bedroom.
 The lighting levels in your home will depend on the amount of natural light that room
receives. Take advantage of natural light whenever you can, since it can have positive
effects on your health and mood.
 Low light is better for producing a relaxing and calming effect. Use brighter lights for
high-focus areas to encourage activity.
 Save money by replacing your incandescent lights with LEDs and CFLs.

 Speak with a professional to make sure you are using the right wattage for each fixture
and that your lighting combinations make sense for your space.