Different Kinds of Lighting
Good lighting is essential for feeling comfortable in any room. We need proper lighting to carry out our everyday activities.
First, we’re going to start off our post by talking about the most popular kinds of lighting. Then, we’ll move onto where you can use them.
Types of lighting
The market for lighting is getting more and more vast, offering better quality products that consume less energy.
Traditional light-bulbs
Traditional models emit a halo of yellow light that also gives off a little heat. That makes them perfect for lighting up spaces that are near sofas, beds or living rooms. They usually last anywhere from 1,000 to 1,200 hours.
You can buy them in different colors, which allows you to give each room a more personal touch.
However, the downside of these kinds of light-bulbs is that the light fixture that they’re used in only converts 15% of the consumed energy into visible light. That translates into very low efficiency compared to the product life and the efficiency of other, more expensive options.
Energy-saving light-bulbs
These kinds of light-bulbs allow you to save more energy because they consume five times less than traditional models.
You should use these bulbs in areas where you’ll need light for long periods of time. They can last 15,000 hours, which means you’re saving 80%. However, when they’re turned on, they consume a lot of energy.
Just as with traditional light-bulbs, energy-saving bulbs also come in different colors and shapes, which can help decorate your home.
However, a small downside that they have is that once you turn them on, they need some time to reach their maximum intensity. That could be a problem for very dark rooms or places where you’re just passing through, like halls. Additionally, they’re considerably more expensive than traditional bulbs. But in any case, their product-life balances out their price-tag.
Halogen light-bulbs
These light-bulbs are a glass shell with a tungsten filament inside that use a small amount of halogen, such as iodine or bromine.
The bulbs are brighter and don’t lose their intensity. They’re typical for outdoor settings because they last up to 3,000 hours. They consume 30% less energy and are more efficient.
LED lights
LED bulbs are a completely different ballgame. They use Lemileds Luxeon technology that creates a bright home lighting system, providing all kinds of energy-saving options.
They’re elegant, attractive and much more efficient than the previous selections.
They can last from 50,000 to 100,000 hours of consecutive use. That makes them more expensive, but their long product-life will save you from having to change them for a long time.
Additionally, you can find them in the same colors as traditional light-bulbs.
Brightness levels
According to guidelines for light brightness, the recommended levels for the following rooms are:
Kitchen: general lighting should be 300 lux. while kitchens should be 500 lux.
Bathroom: general lighting should be 300 lux. while putting makeup on or shaving should be 500 lux.
Bedroom: general lighting should be 300 lux. while the light over the bed’s headboard should be 200 lux. but 500 lux. for reading.
Living room: general lighting should be 100 lux. while watching TV should be 50 lux. but 500 lux. for reading.
Where to place each kind of lighting
Living room
The living room is one of the most important areas of your home. Consequently, it requires lighting that allows you to see as clearly as possible without being too intense.
The most popular thing is installing built-in lights on the ceiling, creating soft lighting. With this kind of lighting, you can create a special, more cozy kind of ambiance.
You can pair the ceiling lights with a table or standing lamp. Having various light sources will help you carry out different activities.
Fireplaces also can be another main light source, especially on cold winter days because they’ll give your home plenty of warmth.
Kitchen
Fluorescent lights are the most popular options for kitchen lighting because they’re penetrating, which is ideal for cooking.
A tip that’ll help you achieve a different kitchen ambiance is focusing the light on the areas where you actually cook. For example, these could be the counter- or stovetop areas. This will help you see more clearly and save on energy.
Bathroom
For bathrooms, you should choose incandescent lighting with a white finish instead of fluorescent light-bulbs because the latter tends to give the skin a greenish tone.
Place a light above the mirror to see things more clearly. If you use it along with a general bathroom light, you can create a very pleasant ambiance.
Also, a trend that we’re seeing in modern bathrooms is installing projectors in showers.
Bedroom
Every morning we drag ourselves out of bed, still tired. Let’s be honest, at that time of the day, you don’t even know where the light is. So, your bedroom lighting should make your life easier; that means it has to be easy to find.
The bedroom is a place where we look for a relaxed ambiance to read a book, organize our closet or get dressed. Using warm lighting in your bedroom before you turn out the lights will help you sync with your sleep rhythm.
We suggest using different light sources. Setting up spotlights that shine on your dressers and closets will help you find your clothes easier. Another tip is installing lights in your drawers and shelves.
For our readers that love to read at night, a great idea is installing a flexible wall mount light. They’ll save your general light while shining directly on the page that you want.
As you’ve read today, setting up your home lighting isn’t complicated. You just need to think about what kind of room you’re installing the lights in and what kind of activities you carry out.