The lighting is the set of techniques and devices for the purpose of producing an artificial light. So your favorite lamp is a lighting fixture. The result of lighting is illuminance. To go further in the definitions, also know that there are different types of lighting.
This is the purpose of this guide. General lighting, most often coming from a luminaire fixed to the ceiling, is intended to ensure uniform light in the room. Functional lighting, essential to spare the eyes during specific activities. It is an intense and concentrated beam of light, emitted by a desk lamp , for example. Direct lighting, provided by table lamps or spotlightsand intended to allow specific activities or to enhance an object, directly aimed at the target to be illuminated. Indirect lighting when light is projected onto a surface (wall, ceiling, window) which reflects it. The illumination produced is soft and diffused, ideal for a relaxing atmosphere. In interior design, lighting is essential. To help you see more clearly and make the right choice in your home, follow our guide.
The lighting is the set of techniques and devices for the purpose of producing an artificial light. So your favorite lamp is a lighting fixture. The result of lighting is illuminance. To go further in the definitions, also know that there are different types of lighting. This is the purpose of this guide. General lighting, most often coming from a luminaire fixed to the ceiling, is intended to ensure uniform light in the room. Functional lighting, essential to spare the eyes during specific activities. It is an intense and concentrated beam of light, emitted by a desk lamp , for example. Direct lighting, provided by table lamps orspots and intended to allow specific activities or to highlight an object, is aimed directly at the target to be illuminated. Indirect lighting when light is projected onto a surface (wall, ceiling, window) which reflects it. The illumination produced is soft and diffused, ideal for a relaxing atmosphere. In interior design, lighting is essential. To help you see more clearly and make the right choice in your home, follow our guide.
1. WHAT IS GENERAL LIGHTING?
General lighting is essential since its role is to illuminate the room as a whole: it is the one that is turned on when entering the room. One of its main principles is to diffuse a homogeneous light in order to attenuate shadows and contrasts. Its role is to provide the lighting necessary for seeing, perceiving and orienting oneself in a space. It sets the tone for the room. Ideally, this lighting should be efficient and soft enough not to dazzle you while lighting the room. For this, use semi-economical halogen bulbs or compact fluorescent bulbs.
2. WHAT IS DIRECT LIGHTING?
Direct lighting shines downwards, below the horizontal plane containing the luminaire. The light therefore falls directly from the source onto the object without obstacle, like a low suspension above a dining room table, an architect’s lamp on a work desk. The lighting is effective because it restores a clear light without loss of light, but it is a lighting which also produces shadows. This is for example the lighting of table lamps, suspensions, chandeliers or spotlights.
EXPERT TIP I LIGHT: use direct lighting for eating, working, performing specific tasks or lighting decorative elements.
Attention, the more opaque the shade, the more the flow is delimited and the brutal contrast between the luminous zone and the half-light. This lighting will complement sufficient general lighting.
REMEMBER: the further the lamp is, the larger the illuminated area and the more diffused light.
3. WHAT IS INDIRECT LIGHTING?
Indirect lighting starts from the source and its light is reflected off a bright surface such as the ceiling, wall or floor. The illuminated surface acts as a reflector and in turn reflects this light onto the object, but in a more attenuated manner. It is ideal for creating mood lighting, the diffused light is soft and the risks of glare as well as the shadows cast are reduced. Attention, do not neglect the impact of the finish and the color of your walls associated with indirect lighting: oriented towards a mat coating, the reflected light will be discreet and diffused. On a lacquered wall, it will create reflections. Clear or white walls and ceilings will reflect light effectively: a white painted wall reflects 60% of the light it receives. On the contrary, dark floors and walls reflect only 10-15% of the light. This is why a dark interior is difficult to illuminate. To avoid any risk of glare, the ideal is therefore to provide a matte coating and rather light and neutral tones.
4. WHAT IS MOOD LIGHTING?
Ambient lighting is the one that will create an atmosphere whether festive, theatrical, intimate, refined, cozy, contemporary or even studious. Dimmers are the allies of mood lighting. Without changing all your lights or the power of the lamps, they allow you to modulate the luminous flux to create a tailor-made atmosphere according to your moods and desires: dinner with friends, cocooning evening, studious atmosphere, etc. Another solution: multiply the types of lamps and lighting in the same room with spotlights, lampposts, table lamps … to vary the brightness according to your activities and times of the day and go for example from a Frank and invigorating lighting in a diffused and more soothing light.
5. WHAT IS MIXED LIGHTING?
Mixed lighting combines direct and indirect lighting, the light is distributed and divided: part of the flow is directed directly on the object to be illuminated (direct), the other is transferred to a reflecting surface, such as a wall or a ceiling (indirect). Mixed lighting fixtures can be some sconces, floor lamps with fabric shades that project light both upwards and downwards. This type of lighting brings more light to the room and allows for fewer different light sources. It also brings an impression of additional volume to the illuminated area and creates special atmospheres. Almost all lamps with shades provide mixed or semi-direct lighting. With a classic shade, 40% of the light diffuses upwards and 60% downwards.
6. WHAT IS DIRECTIONAL LIGHTING?
Directional lighting is localized and targeted. It is used for a specific purpose to enhance areas, create atmospheres and decorative effects. This is the case, for example, to illuminate paintings, or selectively highlight objects. This is the ideal type of lighting to bring out the elements of your interior design so that the lighting fully participates in the decor. Its function is above all decorative, it emphasizes an element to enhance it; the luminous flux is concentrated. This type of lighting makes it possible to create luminous atmospheres with strong contrasts between the lit areas and the shaded areas and thus instills a special atmosphere. Think for example of plants lit by the ground in a garden at night! To achieve these effects,
7. WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL LIGHTING?
Functional lighting is suitable for activities in the home: cooking, working, tinkering, etc. It has a role of comfort and security. It meets a need for precise and targeted lighting. Functional lighting is logically generated by lamps producing direct lighting. Most of the time, an intense and concentrated beam of light is recommended. It is for example used along the steps of a staircase to “mark out” the way to go: in this case, use low power lamps so as not to dazzle. Each activity has its own lighting! Articulated and adjustable light fixture for reading, adjustable spotlights or fluorescent tubes under wall units in the kitchen to illuminate the worktop. The luminaires chosen should preferably be of medium power.
8. LIGHTING AND COLORS
The lights help to create an atmosphere. The colors play on the atmosphere and on the light. Yellow (incandescent bulbs) or red lights will produce a feeling of heat. White (halogen) or slightly bluish bulbs will give a bright light and a feeling of cold. If the walls are light in color, they will reflect light. If they are dark, they will absorb it. In addition to mood lighting, spotlights directed at specific places or colored bulbs will create a special and personal atmosphere.
9. WHAT TYPE OF LIGHTING TO CHOOSE DEPENDING ON THE ROOM?
In the living room and the bedroom, prefer floor lamps and lamps to be placed on a piece of furniture in order to obtain an intimate and soothing atmosphere. To make these pieces even more contemporary, opt for an E27 or E14 Led bulb that consumes less energy and has a longer lifespan. The kitchen: this technical room needs sufficient lighting without shadows on the worktops. It must ensure a pleasant atmosphere. To do this, you will need general lighting that illuminates the entire room and is attached to the ceiling. Localized lighting such as rails, strips or spotlights will specially illuminate the worktops. In the dining room, pendant lights will increase the reflection of light on the surface of the table. Be careful not to place them too high so as not to dazzle your guests. Opt for a wide beam lamp to illuminate the entire table. You can install fixed luminaires for general lighting in your bathroom. For mirrors, install sconces on each side rather than above, this will avoid shadows around the face.