Light : Lighting Your Life and The Shapes & Forms Of Lighting....

Lighting can make a big difference in how you feel about your home. It helps you perform tasks more easily, makes you feel safer and more comfortable, and allows you to enjoy your home to its full potential. Lighting adds beauty and drama to a room. It can make a small room look open and airy, and a large room appear cozy and inviting. It can create a stimulating atmosphere for a night of entertaining, or a quiet feeling of relaxation after a long, tiring day. In so many ways, lighting can make a difference. And, it does so inexpensively compared to other home decorating or remodeling options. Determining your needs. Lighting should be planned to complement your lifestyle. So, first you need to develop a home lighting plan that suits your individual needs and those of your family. When planning your lighting, look at the activities that occur in each room, the atmosphere you want to create and the decorative elements you wish to emphasize. Keep in mind that light can be absorbed and even wasted in dark-colored rooms, or reflected and used as additional illumination in light-colored rooms. Also, take note of those areas serving more than a single purpose and those that will require more than one type of lighting. If you need assistance with your plan, a Certified Lighting Consultant at your local ALA showroom will be happy to help. The fundamentals. There are three basic types of lighting that work together to light your home: General, Task and Accent. A good lighting plan combines all three types to light an area, according to function and style.

The Shapes & Forms Of Lighting Once you've selected what you want to light, you'll have to decide how you're going to light it. Your local ALA showroom is the best place to view the many different styles, sizes and shapes of lighting fixtures that are available to deliver the general, task, and accent light you need. Hall/Foyer Fixtures can create a congenial atmosphere, while providing you with the general lighting you need to greet guests and assure safe passage into other areas of your home. Use ceiling, chain-hung, or close-to-ceiling fixtures in hallways, stairways, and entranceways. Chandeliers can add sparkle and style to your dining room while giving you the general lighting you need for dining and entertaining. They are also used in bedrooms, foyers, or over a living room grouping or a grand piano. Some are designed with downlights to provide task lighting for homework or table games, or to accent table settings. Chandeliers are available in both incandescent and tungsten-halogen. The addition of a dimmer control lets you alter the intensity of light to suit the mood and activity. Pendants can provide both task and general lighting. Equipped with shades or globes to avoid glare, they are suspended from the ceiling over dinette tables, game tables, kitchen counters, or other work areas. When used over end or night tables, they free up the space occupied by table lamps. The use of a dimmer control gives you the flexibility to vary the light to suit the occasion. Ceiling Fixtures usually provide general lighting. They are practical in busy areas such as foyers, hallways, bedrooms, kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, playrooms, and dens. They are available with incandescent, fluorescent, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Wall-Mounted Fixtures can furnish general, task, and accent lighting. Many are designed to match and supplement dining room chandeliers, or to provide hallway, bedroom, or living room lighting. Wall brackets are often used for task lighting at the bathroom mirror. They are available with a choice of incandescent, tungsten-halogen, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Bath/Vanity Lighting Strips supply task lighting, while supplementing the general lighting provided by ceiling fixtures. Similar to the lighting in theater dressing rooms, these softly glowing strips of globe-shaped incandescent bulbs provide excellent lighting for applying makeup, shaving, and grooming. Portable Lamps can deliver general, task, and accent lighting, while giving you the flexibility to move the light whenever you want. Table lamps, floor lamps, and torchiers are available in a variety of styles to complement your decor. Small specialty lamps, such as clip-on lights, uplight cans, adjustable task lights, mini-reflector spotlights, desk and piano lamps fill a variety of task and accent light needs. These lamps are available with incandescent, tungsten-halogen, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Track Lighting can provide general, task, or accent lighting all at once in one flexible lighting system. You can move, swivel, rotate, and aim the individual fixtures in any direction along the track, giving you the versatility to change your lighting scheme when the need arises. You can also hang chandeliers and pendants from the track. Track fixtures are available in standard or low-voltage current, and a choice of incandescent, tungsten-halogen, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent light sources. Recessed Lighting can provide general, task, or accent lighting inconspicuously. Installed in the ceiling with only the trim showing, recessed fixtures can be used anywhere in the home, including outdoors under eaves. They are ideal for low-ceiling areas, and with a special adapter they can also be used in cathedral ceilings. They are available as downlights, adjustable accent lights, and wall washers in both standard and low-voltage current and a choice of incandescent, tungsten-halogen, and energy-efficient compact fluorescents. Undercabinet/ Undershelf Fixtures offer both task and accent lighting. Under kitchen cabinets they light a countertop. In a display cabinet they show off prized possessions. They're used in a workshop or anywhere you need lighting right at hand. They include slim, energy-efficient fluorescents, miniature track lighting, and strips of low-voltage mini-lights.

Lighting : Fundamentals and Developing your Light

The use of lighting can transform your home adding atmosphere and personality. Poor lighting will grab attention, while good lighting will blend seamlessly into the surroundings. Used well, lighting will enhance your home, while bad lighting can nullify your efforts. Contrasting rooms will have different lighting requirements and require different levels of light. There is no right or wrong way to light a room, but it should be planned and consideration made for what the room is being used and what you would like to achieve or emphasise. There are three basic types of lighting at your disposal when lighting a room, Task, Ambient, and Accent. Some can be used individually, but combinations give the best results. Lighting combinations give flexibility and allow lighting levels to change according to our mood and the function of a room. Ambient Lighting helps to create a mood and feel for a room, this is usually the starting point for lighting any room. Task Lighting is focused in a small area and will help you to perform tasks, improve clarity, keeps you focused on the job at hand and prevents tiredness. Whilst Accent Lighting can be used to highlight features within a room such as pictures or objects and is usually restricted to one area. The use of good lighting within your home will welcome, relax and guide guests whilst being achievable and flexible to provide for every function at a flick of a switch.

Shades and shadows in a room are just as important as correct lighting. They give a room warmth and depth and give furnishings their texture and feel all of their own. Stark contrasts are difficult on the eyes and a careful balance is required that gives a comfortable and relaxing hue. Special features within a room can create shadows that can be accentuated with lighting, stair cases and unusual shaped rooms can be given character and uniqueness by selective placement of lightsources. These areas can be enhanced by using track lighting and wall washing. Lighting a single table or chair in a darkened room with a pendant is very dramatic and places the sole emphasis there, this can also be achieved over a dinner table when entertaining guests or for a romantic dinner for two. Floor standards will bounce light off the ceiling and wall washers will spread light across walls and will also produce good shadowing effects, with their light and a darkened room diverse and stimulating patterns can be created. If you have a dining table in a permanent position do not hang the light fitting over it too high. The ideal height is about 90cm from the surface of the table. This will give you a very intimate light, especially if the fitting is used with a dimmer. If you use a crystal chandelier the result is even better. The lampshades primary purpose is to reduce the glare from a lightsource and provide unobtrusive pools of light in particular areas of a room, whilst supplementing the overall ambient levels. There are many different styles and finishes of shade and with the development of halogen and energy saving lighting over the last few years a whole new range of materials and designs have come to the fore. Traditional fabric shades concentrate on the use of materials such as Silk, Satin or Cotton are made from stretching the material over a metal frame leaving a space of around 3cm between the fabric and light source to allow for heat dispersion. Frames are usually made from steel or copper with finished with nylon or resin coating to prevent rusting. These types of shade can be lined or unlined and are sometimes finished with stitching or gluing beads, ribbons or rope as a trimming. Hard fabric shades are made essentially from a fabric which has been laminated or backed with a stiff material such as card. This results in a straight sided, coolie or drum shade which are a little more contemporary because of their very clean lines and finishes. However hard shades do not last as long as they are difficult to clean but are cheaper than their soft shade counterparts. Glass shades are also available which vary in style and quality. The glass may have been moulded, blown or cut. The Glass may be clear, opal, coloured with traces of metal added to change colour and properties. There are hundreds of different styles of glass shade each having different types of finish, styles, light output and colour rendering. Paper shades have become very popular in recent years because they are lightweight, cheap and available in a huge amount of colours, shapes and sizes. They offer good diffused light, however they become brittle and the paper discolours after a relatively short period of time. The inner surfaces of shade may have reflective properties this has two effects, the light that is not transmitted by the shade material will be correctly reflected in the required direction and a reflective surface will not warm up as quickly and the lampshade will retain its shape and colour. When matching a shade to your lamp there are a few simple guidelines that you should follow. A general rule of thumb is that the diameter of the shade should be the same as the height of the lamp. However if you have a fat short lampbase the shade should be substantially wider than the base but not to unbalance the lamp. Also consider the maximum amount of light required from the lamp so you will not increase the wattage of the lamp above the maximum wattage of the shade.

Lighting Effects ........ Room By Room

Lighting tricks Your lighting scheme should be flexible enough to take you through from dawn to dusk, creating different atmospheres along the way. Changing the lighting can alter the way a room looks, particularly the dimensions, just as much changing the colour of the walls. To make your room appear larger Use wall washers on a large expanse of light coloured ceiling. Use uplighters to bounce light onto the ceiling and walls. Create panels of light at one end of the room - your eye will be pulled along towards it, making the space appear longer. Light all four corners of the room. To make your room appear taller Use vertical light beams. Hang pendant lights low. To make your room appear cosier Use several table lamps, singularly or in clusters, to create lots of little low pools of light in a large, high room. Don't allow light onto the ceiling. For more on creating the illusion of space, using pattern and colour, try our interactive room.

Kitchen The kitchen is a very task focused area with cleaning and food preparation at the fore. This requires a high level of clean bright light, which will allow tasks to be performed easily. Fluorescent lighting is an obvious choice, however Track lighting or recessed lighting systems can be just as effective. Fluorescent fixtures are usually installed singularly due to their size and space restrictions but do provide good levels of ambient lighting suitable for the kitchen. Low Voltage systems are more flexible and compact, using Halogen bulbs they provide a high level of white light and come in mains voltage and low voltage versions. Low voltage lighting is available in a number of forms depending on your taste and budget, track lighting and recessed fixtures are very popular. Hall/Stairs First impressions count and this is the first room that a visitor, member of the family or friend usually enters and will see first. Lighting needs to be welcoming and attractive to invite and place at ease. Ambient lighting should be the main source providing a soft warm and cosy feel with an even balance throughout the hall. A central fixture with a glass diffuser will be ideal for this. Pictures and coat hooks may be highlighted with spotlights on track or individual picture lights (Accent Lighting) to give focus and to direct people down the hall. Living Room The Living room is the focal point for most homes and requires flexible lighting to accommodate for all members of the family and uses. Reading, watching TV, socialising and relaxing are all tasks which require different levels of light. Whatever the activity the room should be comfortable, and lighting should be flexible enough to provide for the range of tasks, situations, and desired aesthetic effects. Creating lighting layers in this room will enable you to provide for most activities whilst having flexibility. General, accent and task lighting will all be required in generating layers of light. The Living room is not as task focused as the bathroom or the kitchen so a more diffused and decorative light can be used through a central fixture either a chandelier or a glass uplighter will provide this. This fixture should be energy efficient as it is usually left on for long periods of time. Bedroom The bedroom more than any other room in the house can be your sanctuary away from the stresses and strains of the world. Lighting requirements in bedrooms are very different than in other parts of your home. A central fixture with a dimmer will provide good lighting levels that will help you to choose clothes, dress , and groom during the morning when time is of the essence. This can be supported with track lighting that can direct light into wardrobes and controlled by a separate switch to give you control and flexibility. Bathroom The bathroom is a functional room, and the lighting priority should be given to grooming at the mirror. Lighting at the mirror serves for cleaning, make-up, shaving and dressing. It should be plentiful, evenly distributed without shadows, and free from glare. Lighting in the centre of the ceiling, places the face in shadow and while useful for general lighting, will not serve well for tasks based here. Lighting at both sides of the mirror works best providing even light across the face and avoids shadows under the chin Fluorescent lighting is ideal for tasks and provides high levels of illumination with less heat and lower operating cost than normal GLS fittings. GLS or halogen, offer greater decorative possibilities and if well spaced and diffused, can be used very effectively.

Types of lighting

A successful lighting scheme is made up of several layers: natural, general, accent and task light. Here's how each type can enhance your living space.

In this article

• Lighting for Occasions
• Natural light
• Maximise your natural light
• Quick fixes
• Serious solutions
• Ambient lighting
• Accent lighting
• Task lighting
• What to look for in a task light
• Working with task lights

Lighting for occasions

When hosting a party, lighting is of the utmost importance for creating the right ambience. By experimenting with different types of lighting, the mood of a room can change from calm and romantic to energising and vibrant. Create a bright, warm glow with a combination of subtle light sources with an emphasis on accent lighting. Reflective surfaces such as mirrors can be used to bounce candlelight around the room and crystals, diamonds, mirror balls and reflective baubles are ideal for adding that extra festive sparkle.

Highlight certain areas of the room, such as the fireplace with fairy lights. Drape lights around dried-flowers or willow stems, or place on the mantlepiece to create a shimmering glow. Depending on the occasion, use different-coloured lights and bulbs and adjust the flicker speed on fairy lights for a party feel.

Make a large room with high ceilings appear cosier, by adding several types of small lamps, singularly or in clusters to create low pools of light. Also, consider shadows when arranging your lights and add pierced-lanterns or light shades to create unusual patterns on the walls and ceilings.

Even in cold weather, people enjoy standing outside at parties. So, if you're short of space indoors, consider a patio heater, chiminea or wood burner. Add character to your garden with fairy lights, tea lights, spotlights or fibre-optics, in creative displays. Even if you do not venture outside, the lighting can still be used to add to the ambience of an indoor party.

Natural light

To make the most of the natural light available in your home, you need to know how to use it. Think about which rooms to use for what - you don't have to stick to the estate agent's details. And remember that daylight changes throughout the year. With the grey northern light in Britain, we don't have to worry about screening out strong sun, but you might find bright summer light uncomfortable to sit in. Conversely, harsh winter sunlight can make everything appear flat.

If you work from home, you'll need good task lighting as well as natural light. Avoid putting your desk in the window, as the light will be too intense - about 1m away is ideal.

Maximise your natural light

Quick fixes

• Hang mirrors, particularly opposite windows.
• Take down unnecessary window dressings and replace with filmy materials, such as voile and muslin, to diffuse light. Block out harsh sunlight with perforated roller blinds.
• Put a fanlight over a door.
• Turn an inner door into a glazed panel, or replace it with stained or clear glass.
• Trim trees or bushes that overshadow windows.
• Use light-reflective surfaces, and pale carpets and furnishings.

Serious solutions

• Enlarge windows by dropping sills and removing the area of wall below. This won't affect walls structurally.
• Widen a sash window by turning it into French doors. You'll need a builder to put in a beam to bear the load.
• Add a window on a flanking wall.
• Change a non load-bearing wall or stud partition into a glass-brick wall.
• Install a roof light or skylight (although in south-facing rooms, you may get pools of harsh sunlight on the floor).

Ambient lighting

Ambient or background lighting, plays the part of daylight and is usually provided by a central pendant light, a hangover from the days of gas lamps. It can be the source of most lighting problems as it creates a bland, flat effect.

However, if you supplement general lighting with some or all of the other types, you'll end up with a great, flexible scheme. Staples include ceiling-mounted bowls, wall lights, downlighters,uplighters and standard lamps.

Accent lighting

This gives texture, focus and shape to general lighting, adding depth and shade, with shadows in some corners and pools of light in others. It's formed by a mixture of halogen spotlights, downlighters, uplighters, tracks and table lamps. With the latter, use opaque shades that direct light down and prevent it spilling out. Tracks are great for lighting different areas of a room.

Once the basics are in place, decide which possessions to highlight, whether it's glass, a favourite picture or a table decoration.

• Glass: light from below or behind. From below, place a row of low-voltage halogen spotlights beneath the shelf or a fluorescent strip hidden from view in a casing. From behind, use fluorescent strips not halogen, which doesn't give the right effect.
• Books: clip a spotlight on the underside of the shelf or put wall washers into the ceiling.
• Pictures and paintings: it's tricky to light paintings well - and if they're behind glass you have the additional problem of glare. To avoid glare and give an even distribution of light, use an 'eyeball' light that can swivel, and set it to 'flood' (a broad beam). You could also mount an adjustable spotlight on a ceiling track and point it at a focal point in the painting.
• Plants: read the care instructions to check whether the plant loves sunlight or needs to be kept out of it. For a large pot, put an uplighter or a spotlight recessed into the floor behind it. The light bounces off the floor and the ceiling and diffuses back into the foliage of the plant to create unusual shadows. You can also buy tiny light 'spikes' that fit into the pot.

Task lighting

This is what you need to do a specific job, whether it's reading, working at a computer, cooking, drawing or sewing. It needs to be focused on the area you're using.

If light seeps out, you're likely to get glare from other surfaces, especially computer screens. Task lights come with tungsten, halogen or fluorescent bulbs, the Anglepoise being the best example.

What to look for in a task light

• Go for a fully adjustable Anglepoise-style lamp, especially a cantilevered one, that can be angled and lowered.
• Don't skimp on the price of your angled lamp. If the stem is too short it will be hard to get it high enough over your work, which will cause shadows. The more manoeuvrability the better.
• Use inexpensive pull-down pendants or clip-ons.
• Clip-on spotlights are useful, as you can move them to wherever they're needed.
• Your light should be able to take a 60 watt bulb at least, as it must be brighter than the others in the room.

Working with task lights

Place the lamp opposite your writing hand or you'll be working in your own shadow. The beam of the light should fall on your working area and not reflect onto your computer screen. If there's no space on your desk for a lamp, fit a strip light above it.