Lighting Design for Remodels – Part 1
A home remodel will also require the planning and execution of lighting design. Don’t let it be an afterthought because lighting will affect how your home will be perceived. Lighting design means much more than being able to see at night. The way lights are used can also beautify a home. It’s a great idea to consult with a licensed electrician experienced in home construction to achieve the best results. The following lists the common oversights homeowners might encounter during remodels.
Concealed Lighting Reflected
The primary goal of concealed lighting is to remain concealed. One example of this concept is backlighting a featured wall or widescreen TV for a glowing effect. However, if the bulbs are visible as they reflect on shiny surfaces, the lighting is no longer concealed and the space becomes a bit tacky.
Ceiling Fan Beneath Recessed Lighting
It is straight from an old-school noir or horror movie. A spinning ceiling fan throws ghastly shadows against the walls and floor because it was installed underneath a downlight. This annoying flickering can be avoided during planning by ensuring that the entire span of the ceiling fan’s blades is clear of all recessed ceiling lights.
Cove Lighting Gaps
In order to attain cove lighting’s attractive continuous glow strip effect, lighting tubes must be overlapping as opposed to being cove lighting from looking like dashes and ruin the entire lighting design. Consistent brightness must be maintained for the entire depth to avoid over-concentration in a shallow cove.
Lamp Misuse
As a lamp is typically designed for a specific purpose, its unsuitable use will hurt the overall lighting design. A bedside table lamp should not be used as a desk lamp because you thought it looked hip. You will eventually realize that being cool is not worth all the harsh light on your face as you lay down to sleep. The concept of appropriate lighting involves the proper size and placement of a lighting fixture. Too low a chandelier, and someone may hit their head. Too low a ceiling light, and it will feel too hot for those underneath.
Neglecting Color Temperature
Mixing the color temperatures of light sources in the same room is acceptable. One can utilize warmer temperatures for the ambient room lighting and cooler temperatures for task lighting such as reading lamps. What would clash is inconsistency in one area, and this would be especially unattractive in cove lighting.
Part 2 will discuss the concepts of various lighting techniques.
Electrical Peace of Mind
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