Know Your Lighting

Background (also known as ambient or general): This type of lighting is the main lighting that we use to see by in a room. It can be achieved through central pendants, such as chandeliers, downlights or even wall lights. You will need to work out which source works best in your room.

Accent: This type of lighting should add interest and a bit of contrast to your background lighting. It allows you to highlight features and define areas of interest and should be set on a separate circuit to your background lighting.

Concealed: This type of lighting means that you don’t see the source of the light, just the effect it creates. It works best behind shelves, in alcoves, and under and behind items of furniture.

Task: This refers to your functional lighting — the type that aids you when working, cooking or reading.

Decorative: The main role of decorative lighting is simply to look nice. Statement chandeliers, striking floor lamps and unusual wall fittings all fit into this category.

Smart lighting: goes far and beyond having more than two or three switches on one circuit. If you think that’s good, you will be wowed by the most recent developments in lighting technology. Central control pads that, at the touch of a button, allow you to operate lighting in any room, creating pre-set ‘scenes’, and even those set to respond to changes in natural light are all now available. Smart lighting systems can also enhance the security of your home, with those from Crestron and Lutron mimicking the last two weeks’ lighting activity while you are away on holiday to make the house appear occupied.

Smart lighting systems cost around £1,000 per room, but some whole-house setups can cost more than £70,000.

Blum blown glass lamp from Axo – axolight.it

Jargon Buster

Low-Voltage Bulbs
Most low-voltage lights are halogen and give a bright, crisp colour. These low-voltage lights are clever as each has its own transformer that cuts the 240V mains supply down to 12V. This does mean they are a little more expensive than standard tungsten.

Lumen
A measure of the power of light perceived by the human eye — the ‘luminous flux’.

Circuit Watt
The power consumed in lighting circuits by lamps and their associated controls.

Transformer
A device that reduces the electricity supply from mains voltage to the required low voltage. It can be located within a fitting, or be remote.

Fibre Optic Light
This type of light is created by a single light source, located remotely in a light box. A reflector forces the light down separate glass fibres which emit light at their ends. They give off no heat.

LED
LED stands for ‘light emitting diode’. This type of light produces hardly any heat and has a very long lifespan. LED lights can be used as an alternative to low-voltage lights and are good for accent lighting. Initially LEDs were thought to produce a light that was too cool, but warmer whites, similar to tungsten halogen bulbs, have now been developed.

Tungsten
Tungsten is the filament often found in standard light bulbs — it heats up to provide light.

Wall Washer
These can be track or surface mounted or recessed in the ceiling. The beam of light is directed at the wall to create a soft, indirect light.

Further Reading:

• All About: Lighting Design 
• Is it Worthwhile Hiring a Lighting Designer?
• Modern Essentials: Contemporary Lighting