Residential Lighting Layout and Design

There are many things to consider when choosing lighting layout and fixtures for your home. When lighting your home, there are some essential factors you should consider before designing the lighting around your home or shopping for light fixtures.

Types of Residential Lighting

• Ambient lighting
  Ambient lighting, also known as background or general lighting, is designed to illuminate an entire room. It provides even brightness throughout the area.
• Task lighting
  These are focused lights designed to target a specific area where a task will be done. Activities such as reading, drawing, working on the computer, and cooking may require task lighting.
• Accent lighting
  Also known as highlighting, this type of lighting intends to draw focus to a certain area of the room or object, such as an artwork, plants, or bookcase.

Residential Fixtures

Portability, purpose of light, and room layout are important factors to consider when choosing lighting fixtures. Portability of the light fixture, whether it is fixed or free-standing, may depend on personal preference or where it will be placed in the area. Purpose of light will help you decide on the type of light that is best suited for the job. Room layout is also an important factor to consider as it determines where natural light comes from. Placement of windows in the room and the entrance of natural light will affect the type and placement of your fixtures. Indoor light fixtures include chandeliers, ceiling lighting, recessed lighting, and fluorescent lighting. Outdoor light fixtures include lamp posts, garden lighting, and security lighting.

Glare

There are two types of glare: disability and discomfort. Disability glare may result in impairment on the subject’s eyesight. Discomfort glare may cause visual discomfort and an increased desire to look away from the light source. This may make it difficult for the subject to see the task perfectly. Glare can be caused by overly-powerful light sources. To avoid glare, you may want to change the brightness, intensity, and changing where the light is aimed.

Ambiance

Lastly, you will want your lighting layout and design to fit the ambiance of the room. Adjusting the brightness, finding the suitable type of lighting, the placement and number of light fixtures are some factors that will affect the atmosphere. You may want to consider the functionality of the room and the type of atmosphere you want the room to have before designing the lighting. Some rooms may have more than one type of lighting. Doing this will allow you to easily adjust the ambiance, which will be suitable for a multi-purpose room.

These are all important factors to consider when arranging lighting layouts and choosing lighting fixtures for your home, whether it be indoors or outdoors. Here at ProAmp Electric, we offer interior and exterior lighting layout design. Contact us now to get a free quote!