Indoor Lighting Design 101

Believe it or not, the concept of indoor lighting has been around since 70,000 B.C.E., when our ancestors used shells and rocks filled with animal fat to create oil lamps for illuminating their caves. Torches made of bundled sticks became the first portable lamps, and by the 7th century B.C.E. the Greeks had refined the idea, making lamps of terracotta in stylized designs to light their homes and indoor spaces.

Weve come a long way since then, and today the choice of fixtures available to light our homes and offices is almost limitless. From recessed cans and track lighting to wall sconces and chandeliers, indoor fixtures perform a host of functions and come in an array of styles, each suited to serve specific purposes. Because there is such a variety of lighting available to us, it is important to understand how each type works and, more importantly, how they can all work together to create a warm, inviting and well-lit environment. That is why lighting design is so essential.

Its All in the Design

Most of us are familiar with interior design, fashion design and even landscape design, but somehow lighting design is always left out of the picture. Yet, design is exactly what you need when choosing fixtures for your home. Lighting design can make all the difference in how your home functions and feels; it can dramatically alter the appearance of your dcor and transform a glare-filled, uniformly lit living space into a soothing and stunning showpiece.

Lighting design goes far beyond choosing appealing fixtures and plugging them in and it certainly extends beyond direct lighting. At its most basic, lighting design involves employing different light levels that work together to highlight unique features of each room and address specific illumination requirements.

If all I have is direct light, spaces are dark and gloomy, says Al Thomas, Executive Director of Seattle Lighting Design Services. If the light level is uniform or only comes from one source, rooms will appear flat and even the most gorgeous custom spaces will wind up looking dull and uninviting. If you uniformly light the room, nothing will stand out, Thomas warns. He insists that rooms require visual drama and that in order to create it, you must have contrast.

Visual Drama and Contrast

Creating contrast is the main goal of lighting design and is achieved by introducing varying degrees (also known as layers) of light into each room: ambient, task and accent. For example, in a dining room a chandelier could provide the ambient light, while a recessed halogen could serve as a task light that highlights a centerpiece, and wall sconces could provide accent lighting for a buffet.

Though ambient light serves as the general room light, it should not be the primary source of illumination. Instead, ambient light sources should be contrasted by brighter task and accent lights, which provide targeted, more powerful illumination for specific purposes. Primary light sources should be task lights that are 6-10 times the ambient light level; secondary sources should be accent lights that are 3-5 times the ambient level. These layers will vary depending on the individual and the unique attributes of specific rooms, such as room size, ceiling height, architectural features, dcor, bulb strength, the amount of natural light available and space utilization.

A common mistake is using decorative fixtures, like chandeliers, as primary light sources. Used this way, they burn too brightly, become overpowering and all aesthetic value is lost because they turn into what Thomas terms glare bombs. He cautions, Never use decorative fixtures as primary light sources; they are look and feel items, pure and simple.

Where to Begin

To create visual drama in your home, begin by determining each rooms function and composition. Ask these questions:

• How much ambient light do you need?
• What unique features do you want to highlight?
• What tasks are you performing in that room?
• What types of lights are feasible from an architectural point of view?

For the last question, you will need to determine whether or not the ceiling is insulated (this will determine what types of recessed lights are possible, if you choose to use them), how high the ceilings are, and what the wall and room textures are comprised of. For example, if you have a brick fireplace with a lot of depth and character, you may want to highlight its unique texture by grazing it with an angled track or recessed light, rather than by pointing a light directly on it from a close distance, as is commonly done. Direct lights will actually flatten and detract from highly textured surfaces, whereas lights that gently graze the surface will bring out the contours and add contrast and dramatic effect.

Once you have determined which types of lighting you need, you can begin shopping to match your dcor. Typical ambient, task and accent lights break down as follows:

• Ambient Chandeliers, recessed lights, table lamps, ceiling lights, pendants
• Task Reading lamps, spot lights, track lights, recessed lights, table lamps
• Accent Sconces, torchieres, table lamps, recessed lights, rail lights, pendants

Clearly, most lighting forms can be used for a variety of applications. Room function will by and large determine which types of fixtures are best suited for each layer but much is dependent upon the light bulbs used with them. Good lighting design incorporates the best combination of light forms that will add contrast and create visual intrigue without producing overpowering glare.

Recessed Lights

These days, recessed lights are one of the most common design elements in new and remodeled homes, yet they remain poorly utilized. The biggest mistake today with custom homes is the excessive use of recessed cans, Thomas says. He insists that rows of recessed lights are neither aesthetically pleasing nor economical. Further, the type of bulb, beam spread, can, trim color and size all have an impact on the function of the light and overall lighting designfactors most people do not even consider.

The subject of recessed lighting is so complex and important that the topic must be addressed separately but, briefly, here are some basic facts and myth busters to keep in mind when using these lights in your design scheme:

• The fewer recessed lights, the better (contrary to current new home construction trends)
• Cans and Trim that are shiny actually produce less glare
• Cans and trim that are matte and white produce the most glare
• Gold trim only works with a warm color palette
• Black trimknown as Alzakmakes the light an inconspicuous background light and enables all other light sources in the room to stand out
• For non-insulated ceilings, cans can be deeper
• For insulated ceilings, use double-walled cans to prevent fire
• Be sure all cans are safe yet deep enough to accommodate bulbs you dont want bulbs flush with the opening or they will produce glare and defeat the purpose of having a recessed light

Energy Concerns

As you think about creating contrast and visual drama with your lighting design, consider the most energy efficient and cost effective ways to achieve your goals. As Thomas notes, your goal should be to have fewer fixtures and use ones that are more energy-efficient. Although the initial cost of bulbs and housings may be more, Thomas insists that by purchasing energy-efficient products, you will save both time and money in the long run. First, you wont have to change bulbs as often, and second, by having fewer fixtures that produce as much light as their energy-devouring counterparts, you will save money.

According to a study in Home Energy magazine, 75% of residential energy costs are produced by less than 30% of the fixtures. To reduce such disproportionate energy consumption, halogen and fluorescent lights are a great alternative to incandescent bulbs. Thomas recommends the BT-15, which can be used in place of most incandescent bulbs and is made by a host of manufacturers. In California, fluorescents are now mandated under Title 24, and many states will soon follow suit. Therefore, making the switch now to energy efficient bulbs and fixtures will save you the cost of replacing or retrofitting in the future.

Lumens vs. Watts

To find energy efficient light bulbs, look for the amount of lumens the bulb emits, as opposed to wattage. A lumen is a measurement of light output, whereas a watt is a measurement of energy consumption. Today, manufacturers are required to list lumens on the package so that you can compare bulbs more accurately. The most energy efficient offerings will be lower watt, higher lumen bulbsthese will yield the greatest savings without sacrificing light output.

Once youve found the best bulbs, you can match them to the appropriate fixtures. This may seem counter-intuitive, but by working backwards you will ensure that you install energy efficient light sources. You can also look for the Energy Star seal, which appears on fixtures that meet federal government efficiency standards.

Added Value

As youve discovered so far, a little lighting design goes a long way. First, you add visual intrigue to your home which will transform it into a comfortable, captivating showplace. Next, you save money and energy by using fewer, more efficient light sources. And, finally, you can add value to your home which may give you a competitive advantage when you are selling or re-appraising.

According to a survey of realtors, home buyers respond positively to homes that are well litparticularly remodels that are in new housing markets. Some suggest that a well-designed lighting scheme could give you a competitive advantage and make your home stand out in the crowd.

Weve come a long way since the days of burning oil lamps in caves, and as fixtures and homes have evolved, so has the importance of lighting design. It has become a vital part of interior design and, while experts are certainly available to help you, lighting design is a creative process that we can all master. So, take full advantage of the innovative, cost effective options available and make your home the 21 st century marvel it can be.