One of the most complex and detailed categories in lighting is residential lighting, which encompasses various spaces. Residential lighting is not limited to just your apartment or living unit. It also includes the lighting of villas, parking areas, pools, and fountains within the courtyard of a building or villa, making it a highly specialized matter that requires careful planning and calculation. In general, lighting should meet the aesthetic dimensions and functional needs of the space in question.
Proper lighting design in home decoration is highly impactful and of great importance. Indeed, it can be considered one of the crucial aspects of daily life because having appropriate lighting at all times and in all spaces is extremely important. In residential lighting, it is essential to understand that good lighting can create a sense of security and calm at home. Conversely, incorrect lighting can disrupt the sense of tranquility and comfort of a home.
Lighting can significantly affect how people feel in a space, especially in residential areas, which are often considered our safe havens of security and peace. For instance, in lighting a residential unit, both natural and artificial light should be considered. This means that for various spaces within an apartment, such as the bedroom, kitchen, living room, and other areas, it is first necessary to assess how much natural light can meet your needs during the day. Then, a combination of natural and artificial light should be created to ensure the environment is sufficiently lit.
Principles of Lighting in Residential Units
The key to residential lighting is light quality and how it interacts with different surfaces. In essence, lighting should be designed in a way that pays attention to the beauty of lighting elements while providing the appropriate illumination. For example, you might choose a chandelier that looks stylish and beautiful, but if its light is not functional for your space, then it’s not the right choice. Making the right selection is a fundamental principle of residential lighting.
Avoid overusing uniform ceiling lights, as they only light up the floor. Instead, utilize layering in your lighting scheme. For instance, use some lighting elements to provide ceiling light and accent lights in certain areas of the home. Decorative pendants, lights above the dining table and kitchen counters, and wall lights, among others, can add layers of lighting to different parts of your home or villa.
Another important criterion in residential lighting is the Color Rendering Index (CRI) of lamps and lighting fixtures. A high CRI makes the colors of objects appear more accurate and realistic. Choosing lighting equipment with the highest CRI is crucial for spaces where the true color of objects is important.
Brief on Lighting Different Areas of a Residential Unit
In this section, we won’t delve into the details of lighting different spaces within a residential unit, but we will provide a brief explanation of various areas to help you make more informed decisions when selecting and purchasing lighting elements.
The kitchen is often considered the heart of any residential unit or villa. Proper kitchen lighting should include under-cabinet lights and strips to create a soft glow during food preparation, as well as a central light or chandelier that matches the environment to provide general lighting.
Residential Kitchen Lighting
The bathroom lighting is also crucial, encompassing lights above the mirror and general ambient lighting. When selecting lighting fixtures for the bathroom, it’s important to consider their resistance to moisture and, in some cases, water splashes. Read the related article: Cabinet Lighting
Residential Bathroom Lighting
Living room and sitting area lighting is one of the primary tasks for a designer, who can use various lighting elements in these spaces. For example, wall lighting can help carry some of the burdens of ceiling lighting, fulfilling the environment’s lighting needs.
Residential Bedroom Lighting
Bedroom lighting depends on your habits in the bedroom. For instance, if you read in bed at night, specific task lighting should be considered for this purpose. Read also: Can we use LED strip lights in the bathroom?
Is a Designer Needed for Residential Lighting?
Definitely, if you’re seeking professional and proper lighting for different parts of your house or apartment, you must consult a designer. A designer can plan the lighting according to the specific needs of each space, the required level of brightness, the appropriate fixtures to use, and ultimately, your budget. A skilled lighting designer can ensure that your residential lighting is done in a way that avoids common mistakes, preserves the beauty of the space, and pays attention to the functionality of the lights.
When designing residential lighting, your designer should consider all your preferences and daily lifestyle. For example, do you prefer soft and warm lights, or do you want your apartment to be fully bright and luminous? Do you need hidden under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, or do you want to illuminate the whole kitchen space with a central light? All these needs are essential for creating a unique lighting plan and should be considered by your lighting designer.
Overall, in residential building lighting, all factors and indices must be considered. For instance, when choosing a light that catches your eye, you should also consider the cost of lighting sources and opt for LED lights because of their longer lifespan and lower operational costs. Chique Lighting has taken steps to sell equipment and introduce various residential lighting methods, and our experts can provide you with advice in this area.