Hallways are rarely very attractive spaces, often long and narrow. Most of the time they are satisfied with functional lighting. However, artificial light is one of the best assets to enhance them and give them personality. These places of passage also deserve optimal lighting! Our recipes for creating a well-lit hallway.
1. WELL-DISTRIBUTED LIGHTING IN THE HALLWAY
First golden rule: avoid having a single light point in a corridor, sinister atmosphere and guaranteed shadows! Hallway lighting should be uniform and glare-free. It must also adapt to the architecture of the place and emphasize it, according to its ceiling height, its length, its width and the colors of the walls and the floor.
If, however, your hallway has only one wire outlet on the ceiling, choose a pendant lamp with a clear shade and a flared shape so that the light flow is dispersed as much as possible. Another possibility is to install a special strip allowing you to hang several lights or even opt for spotlights on rails or bars. In the case of a narrow hallway, place sconces on only one side of the wall; in the case of a wider corridor, you can alternate them on each side of the wall. In both cases, you will visually lengthen the space without obstructing the passage. Finally, know that the lighting power required for a corridor is around 100 to 150 lux per m².
GOOD TO KNOW: what does “illuminance” (lux) mean?
Illuminance is a value for measuring the density of luminous flux and therefore the amount of visible light received on a given area, 1m² (unit area) regardless of the light source itself. Its unit of measurement is lux.
Example: the illumination will not be the same on my book if I am placed 50 cm from my lamp or 1.50 m. What is measured is the light received on my book regardless of the total amount of light emitted by the lamp itself.
Illuminance is not linked to a real surface, it can be determined anywhere in the room. Tip: 1 lux = 1 lumen / m².
With lux, we are no longer interested in the characteristics of the light source, but in what happens on the side of the illuminated object.
Lighting is a very instinctive notion. Some people need 500 lux for reading, while in general 300 lux is recommended for this activity. The lux describes the same notion of illuminating power that the candela does, but from the point of view of illuminated objects. So when you look at an illuminated surface, you see the illuminance.
2. FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE LIGHTING IN THE HALLWAY
To energize a hallway, give rhythm to the light flow. Play with repetition to create a graphic decor while ensuring optimal lighting. For example, arrange 3 or 4 identical suspensions lengthwise to sequence the volume. If your hallway has a lower ceiling, install a ceiling light and complete with other light sources: wall lights with indirect lighting to provide more height, for example. To boost a hallway that is too banal, opt for mixed wall lights diffusing a very graphic lighting up and down.
3. MIX THE TYPES OF LIGHTING IN THE HALLWAY
The goal is to use light to create functional but also decorative lighting in order to avoid monotonous light. For example, you can place recessed LEDs at the bottom of the walls or on the ground to mark the path in addition to overhead lighting. If you opt for a false ceiling with spotlights, do not hesitate to create a reserve around the entire perimeter of the ceiling to create a luminous groove.
If you have the space to install furniture in your hallway such as a fine console or a bookcase, consider installing controlled outlets in order to place table lamps or light sources in the niches of the bookcase to compose a lighting of atmosphere which can be switched on at the same time as the general lighting.
EXPERT TIP I LIGHT: on the bulb side, avoid compact fluorescent bulbs that do not like repeated switching on for a short time and prefer bulbs that instantly reach their full power.
4. HOW TO MARK OUT A CORRIDOR AT NIGHT WITH THE LIGHTING?
To circulate in complete safety at night in your corridor, provide discreet but effective markings.
Late arrivals, nocturnal forays to visit the fridge or urgent need… There are many opportunities to move around your hallway in the middle of the night. Not to mention your little ones or your elders who also may have to use the hallway in the dark. So as not to wake up the whole household by looking for the switches and nevertheless allow the whole family to move in perfect safety, it is necessary to install luminous markings in the hallway.
The simplest solution is to place LED twilight nightlights in the electrical outlets in the hallway, which come on automatically as soon as the light goes down.
You can also place motion-sensing bulbs in the hallway. These are LED bulbs compatible with all light fixtures, which are used during the day like ordinary bulbs, and which in the evening are triggered as soon as a presence appears.
GOOD TO KNOW: what is a motion detector lamp?
The motion detector automatically turns on the lamp when it senses movement.
In high traffic areas outside the house such as driveways, driveways, garages, this device is very useful. You just have to move forward for the lamp to turn on and stay on for a set time that you program according to your needs.
The range of the detector generally extends up to 12 m over an angle of 360 °. It controls any exterior lighting, even several lamps or a row of spotlights.
The motion detector is often combined with a twilight detector. At nightfall, it controls the activation of the motion detector. Otherwise, the latter is likely to be triggered day and night!
5. DECORATIVE LIGHTING FOR THE HALLWAY
Often devoid of furniture because of modest size, the corridors deserve special attention in terms of lighting. Artificial light and fixtures are one of the best ways to decorate and add character to this passage area while providing comfortable lighting. Zoom in on our 10 favorite lights to boost your hallway. A hallway enhanced by general lighting The hallway is an essential passageway that sets the tone and requires general mood lighting. It is advisable to light it with a suspension or a ceiling lamp depending on the available height. Our advice, choose luminaires proportioned to the size of your hallway: nothing more “missed” than a single pendant light in a long hallway! A warm hallway thanks to the table lamps We also like the table lamps to bring a warm note in addition to the general lighting and underline a style: do not hesitate to indulge yourself by falling for original, design and elegant lighting. according to the desired atmosphere. A hallway dressed in lightings Difficult to decorate a hallway: doors, minimum width, so many constraints that often prevent the installation of beautiful furniture. Best allies of this space: the lighting to be multiplied to energize this passage room and to distribute the lighting well. Avoid placing a single light, especially if your hallway is long. Prefer three beautiful suspensions. You can choose one of each color for a very pop result or only black for a graphic effect. Create rhythm and give a modern look with a succession of designer wall lights to be placed on either side for a better effect on a colored wall. Design atmosphere guaranteed with a ceiling light worked in matt nickel which can also be installed as a wall lamp.
PLEASE NOTE: for a long and narrow corridor, we like the spotlight rail which makes up a very contemporary light path effective to enhance the ceiling and accentuate the perspective.
6. WHICH BULBS TO CHOOSE FOR A HALLWAY?
The hallway is one of those spaces in the house that is sometimes overlooked in terms of lighting. If this is your case, correct your mistake quickly, knowing that you can easily make your hallway as safe as it is pleasant to cross. Whether diffused by wall lights, suspensions, ceiling lights or spotlights, opt for a light that is both gentle and efficient.
Halogen bulbs are the most suitable from this point of view. Make sure that they are not glaring.
LEDs can provide very interesting decorative lighting – near the floor, for example. But note that on their own, they will not provide significant practical lighting.
Fluorescent bulbs are not welcome in the hallways. They take a few seconds to start working. In addition, turning them on and off with each pass wears them out prematurely.