Domestic Lighting

Functional Domestic Lighting | Secondary Lighting | Lighting Suggestions

We would like to assist you with some basic knowledge about domestic lighting and lighting design.

Having such a diverse range of lighting products, Discount Lighting provides a comprehensive selection for any domestic lighting design plan.

Functional Domestic Lighting

Functional lighting is considered the primary lighting used in a home. The important factors to consider when doing a lighting design plan for a house are:

• Style (aesthetics)
• Dimensions and details of the space
• Decor
• Furnishings and layouts
• Functions and space
• Lighting budget

These important factors are defined as follows: -

Establish the style of home

• Contemporary
• Ultra modern
• Federation
• Georgian
• Tuscan

Find out the dimensions and details of the home

• Ceiling height
• Room sizes
• Exterior landscape plans eg. pool, fountains, garden layout

consider the decor

• Colour of walls and ceilings
• Colour of flooring: carpet, tiles, timber etc
• Brick – colour
• Cement rendered - colour
• Timber or aluminium windows and doors – colour

consider furnishings and layouts

It is necessary to know the working and non-working areas in each room.  For example – locate where the wardrobes or work stations such as desks or computers are, so that ample light is directed to these areas.  It also should be noted if furniture will be re-arranged occasionally.

Define the function of the space

Be aware of the activities taking place in each area.  For example – is it a leisure area, entertaining area or work area?

consider the budget

You will have a budget in mind for your lighting requirements.  It is important to consider the budget so that one of our lighting consultants can work out the best possible solution for the lighting project at an affordable price.

The defined factors should give our lighting consultant a clear picture of the lighting project and create a good working and confident relationship with you.  These factors will also control the reflective light that is expelled from the different coloured and textured surfaces.  This will help establish how much light is required in each area and what types of light fittings are suitable.

Secondary Lighting

After functional lighting has been applied to the lighting plan, the introduction of secondary lighting can be considered.  This includes:

• Accent Lighting – to create ambience and bring out the best features of the interior decor by emphasising particular objects.
• Effect Lighting – the lighting itself is used as a feature to create interest in a room, eg. downlights creating light patterns on an adjacent wall.
• Decorative Lighting – describes the use of attractive light fittings (or luminaires) and lamps.
• Architectural Lighting – is unobtrusive lighting used to highlight architectural features such as cornices, coves or canopies.
• Mood Lighting – lighting that creates a mood or atmosphere.  This can be by achieved by dimming existing lights, having separate switches for different lights in the one room or using uplighters.

All of the above factors need to be carefully taken into consideration when choosing the correct lighting system for your home.

Lighting Suggestions

FOR DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS

FRONT ENTRANCE:

Create a welcoming atmosphere.

• Low ceilings – downlights, wall lights or spotlights to highlight features
• High ceilings or stairwells – large pendants, wall lights and wall sconces to direct light upwards

HALLWAYS

• Downlights, spotlights, wall lights or oysters

LIVING ROOMS

Create comfortable lighting with dimmers.

• Large oysters (2 globes or halogen), downlights, spotlights or 3-5 light pendants
• Table and floor lamps or uplighters

DINING ROOM

• Single, 3lt or 5lt pendant over the dining table
• Downlights close to wall to give special effects on the walls
• Wall lights, table and floor lamps or uplighter

KITCHEN

The kitchen is a work area and needs shadow free general lighting.  This light should reach all surfaces including inside cupboards.  As this room is in constant use, energy saving lamps are an option or separate switching for different lights.

• Fluoro, halogen or incandescent oysters
• Downlights can be used in conjunction with oysters or used intensively especially over task areas
• Strip fluoros can be used under cupboards to highlight bench tops
• Single pendants over bench tops can be decorative

BEDROOMS

Dimmers should be included with:

• Incandescent or halogen oysters
• Downlights

 The provision of adequate reading lights could include:

• Wall lights behind bed or downlights above pillows on bed
• Table or desk lamps
  

BATHROOMS

• Halogen downlights with glass covered lamps (globes)
• Reflective heat lights
• Oysters – halogen, fluoro or incandescent
• Spotlights

VANITY

• Downlights directly over vanity
• Wall lights each side of vanity
• Wall lights or spots above mirror

SEPARATE WC

• Batten fix, downlight or oyster

GARAGE

• Single garage – 1 x twin 36 - 40w strip fluoro
• Double garage – 2 x twin 36 - 40w strip fluoro
• Bench top – 1 x single 36 – 40w strip fluoro

EXTERIOR

Outdoor or landscape lighting adds dimension and character to a home.  Functional and effective lighting is required to create a safe enviroment and an atmosphere of relaxation.

• Front entrance lighting - coach lights, low voltage cone or cube lights, bunkers or wall lights
• Flood lighting – G Nine spots, Par 38 spots, halogen linear floods, halogen dichroic spots. Dramatic effects can be achieved with floods by highlighting decks and trees or wall washing
• Security lighting – sensors are available with above spots
• Safety lighting - step lights, brick lights or inground downlights can be a safety feature or create enhancing lighting
• Garden lighting – halogen spikes or bollards (posts) in fluoro, incandescent or halogen