10 questions about lighting

10 questions about lighting

Light plays an important role in our health, both physical and mental. That is why it matters that our home gets enough light. From the garden to the front door, the bedroom to the bathroom, every room and every space in our home needs good lighting. Beyond its practical and essential role, artificial lighting also makes home life more comfortable by creating different moods to suit the people who live there. To achieve the right level of lighting in your home, it is essential to ask yourself the right questions.

1.      What is a lumen?

When you buy a bulb or a light fitting, a brightness value is usually shown on the packaging or in the technical description: the lumen. Ranging from 0 to 1,500 for a bulb, the lumen measures the luminous flux produced. Luminous flux is directly linked to the power a bulb consumes, but also to its type. For the same wattage, each type of bulb produces a different luminous flux. You can refer to the table below to see how many lumens a bulb produces depending on its type and wattage:

2.      What is a lux?

The lux is the unit used to measure the level of light needed in a room or area. Depending on the size and use of a room, the required light level varies widely. The lux helps you work out the right number of bulbs and light fittings to install in a room or in a specific area of a room. The light level is calculated per m² using the formula: lux = lm/m², where lm = lumens and m² = the area to be lit. In a home, the appropriate lux levels are as follows:

Circulation areas, hallways, stairs > 100 lux

Cloakroom, kitchen, bathroom > 200 lux

Library or reading corner > 300 lux (writing and reading require at least 500 lux)

Conference room, meeting room > 500 lux

You can also do a few quick calculations yourself to work out the right brightness for each room based on its size and the luminous flux needed to light it. To do so, you can use the following table:

3.      What is colour temperature?

Colour temperature simply refers to the colour of the light produced by a bulb or light fitting and is measured in kelvin (K). It has a direct effect on how comfortable we feel in a room. For example, a slightly reddish white light is not ideal for reading or studying. Here again, the way a room is used directly determines the right colour temperature, and therefore the type of bulb or light fitting to install. On a bulb’s packaging or in a light fitting’s technical description, you will find one of the following four indications:

•   Warm white (slightly yellow): between 2700 K and 3300 K, close to the natural light at sunset. This shade is ideal for creating a warm atmosphere in a room (living room, bedroom, etc.)
•   Neutral white: between 3000 K and 4000 K, most often used in offices, libraries, etc.
•   Cool white: around 5000 K, best suited to a bathroom or toilet.
•   Daylight white: 6500 K (the closest to daylight), aids concentration as it resembles daylight when the sun is at its highest point.

4.      What is main lighting?

Main lighting, also known as general lighting, simply means lighting a room as a whole. Whatever the size or use of a room, general lighting is essential to keep everyone in the household comfortable. In the world of light fittings, chandeliers, ceiling lights and pendants are the most common choices for general lighting. In small rooms, however, recessed spotlights are more effective.

5.      What is task lighting?

Unlike general lighting, task lighting is used to light a specific area for a particular activity. This is also known as direct lighting on a small area. This role is most often filled by reading lights, floor lamps, pendants or picture lights.

6.      What is ambient lighting?

As the name suggests, the main purpose of ambient lighting is to create different moods in a room or throughout the home. Cosy, romantic or festive: you can create all sorts of atmospheres in your home to suit your mood. Fairy lights, wall lights, spotlights and portable lamps make excellent ambient lights. Ambient lighting usually involves using light indirectly. In other words, the light is directed towards the ceiling or the walls rather than into the room. Spotlights and wall lights are perfect for this.

7.      How should we light our home?

To light a home well, it is important to make the most of the light sources in each room. To do this, you need to install a general light, a task light and an ambient light. This arrangement reduces shadowy areas and provides even lighting throughout the home. By referring to the two tables above, you can easily choose the right light fittings for each room in your home.

8.      How should you light the areas around your home?

Good lighting also extends to the areas around the house. Paths, the patio, the porch and walkways are all outdoor spaces that need smooth, even lighting, bright enough to light your way without dazzling you. You can turn to outdoor wall lights or outdoor recessed spotlights to light the areas around your home while adding depth and style. Space each spotlight or wall light at a distance equal to your own arm span. This will give you lighting that is both effective and stylish.

9.      What lighting for your garden and outdoor spaces?

Just like the inside of the house, the garden and outdoor spaces need lighting too. If you have water features such as a swimming pool, an ornamental pond or simply a small stream, you can show them off by installing lamp posts, bollards or outdoor lamps nearby. Another tip is to light each shrub or clump of trees in your garden with recessed spotlights. Finally, you can highlight the various decorative features in your garden, such as statues, shrubs, benches or planters.

1.   Why choose LED bulbs?

Once mainly found in mobile phones and computers, LED technology has now made its way into our light fittings. This shift is down to the main advantages this technology offers. The first is its practicality. Thanks to its size, an LED diode is particularly easy to work with. This shows in the intricate designs of the many LED light fittings available. The second advantage is the energy saving that LED technology brings to your home. At a lower wattage, LED bulbs produce as much light as conventional incandescent bulbs, or even more. And low energy consumption also means little heat. The risk of accidents and burns is therefore almost zero with LED technology. Finally, the last undeniable advantage of LED bulbs is their durability. An LED bulb lasts much longer than conventional bulbs, around 30,000 to 50,000 hours of use. By choosing LED light fittings for your home and outdoor spaces, you are choosing durability and efficiency. LED bulbs are therefore a real alternative to incandescent bulbs.