{"id":6403,"date":"2024-12-30T03:28:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-29T16:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stylecurator.com.au\/?p=6403"},"modified":"2025-01-13T06:41:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-12T19:41:04","slug":"how-to-design-a-lighting-plan-for-your-home-learn-the-3-types-of-lighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stylecurator.com.au\/how-to-design-a-lighting-plan-for-your-home-learn-the-3-types-of-lighting\/","title":{"rendered":"How to design a lighting plan for your home: 3 types of lighting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We’re the first to admit that up until a few years ago, we were completely clueless when it came to lighting. Yet the more we learn about design, the more obvious it becomes how important it is to have a well-considered lighting plan. Whether you’re simply renovating a zone of your home, undertaking a new build, or even a larger project, keep on reading for expert tips from Illumination Scientist and owner of Luxygen<\/a>, James Nagel. He has dedicated his career to lighting and is one of the few people in Australia who comes so highly qualified to talk on the subject. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related article: What height to hang pendant lights?<\/a>
Related article: Light locations in a new home? Expert advice on the dos and don\u2019ts<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"How<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Up until recently we hadn’t heard the term ‘lighting plan’, tell us what these are and why they are so important.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“Quite simply, a lighting plan details what types of lights and how many you will have in each zone. Generally, I’ll work from a floor plan to specify what lighting would be placed where.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The important objective in creating a good lighting plan for your home is understanding the function of each room. This way you can consider tasks performed in a space and provide functional and creative lighting.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are three basic layers of lighting \u2014 task, ambient and accent \u2014 and each type meets a particular need,\u201d says James.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you explain more about that?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI always start with task lighting, which means considering spaces that require specific functional lighting, some examples might include above a kitchen bench, at face level at the bathroom mirror, over desks and work surfaces, reading areas, and in cupboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Then I consider ambient lighting, which is the overall illumination of an area. It should create visual comfort. Consider lighting ceilings and walls, a softly illuminated wall can often be a better approach than a bunch of downlights in a room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The use of uplighting on a clean ceiling allowing the light to reflect is probably the best way in my view of achieving ambient lighting. For example, a pendant over a kitchen bench with both direct and indirect lighting would achieve both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final layer of lighting is accent, which adds creativity to a room.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“It draws the eye to the visual statements and allows you to get creative. Some examples might be highlighting a painting or a textured wall, using neon signs<\/a>, or adding some colour such as lighting a tree with green light.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Bathroom
Three types of lighting used in this bathroom by MINOSA via Houzz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What are the biggest mistakes you see when it comes to residential lighting?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGenerally when people build a house, they run out of money by the time it comes to lighting and landscaping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people end up just filling their houses with downlights. I guess it works, but it\u2019s not very creative \u2014 you generally have over-lit spaces and not a lot of visual interest.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOften people don\u2019t consider the space well enough before they select their lights. Understanding the function of the room is important. Placement of furniture and even reflections from surfaces like mirrors should also be considered. And too often we use too much artificial light.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Concord
Sleek and contemporary lighting at Concord residence, see the full home tour<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n