Lighting3 min read

After renovation it’s dark or blinding: how to choose light before installing the ceiling

Why the number of fixtures and watts do not describe the lighting of a room: light groups, flow, light direction and color temperature.

I liked the lamps in the store, but at home the table remains in the shadows, and the light above the sofa gets into my eyes unpleasantly. Often the problem is not the ceiling or insufficiently expensive devices: the lighting was chosen without the arrangement of furniture and scenarios for using the room.

Divide the tasks of light

First, list what is happening in the room: resting, cleaning, reading, working, watching TV. These tasks may require different groups, rather than one equally bright mode for the entire evening.

A practical option is to discuss general lighting and quieter additional lighting separately. But the number of switches and the control scheme depend on the project. Communicate your wishes to the electrician before completing the wiring so that the desired groups can actually be switched on independently.

Look beyond watts

Watts describe power consumption, while luminous flux is expressed in lumens. Therefore, the same power alone does not guarantee the same amount of light. Compare the characteristics of specific models, and not just the large number on the package.

The choice also requires the direction of light and the nature of its distribution. A narrow beam and diffuse lighting solve different problems. First, mark the areas that should be illuminated, and only then choose the location and number of devices.

Manufacturer documentation: Philips: luminous flux, power consumption and color temperature

Color temperature changes the perception of a room

Warm and cooler white light look different next to paint, wood and textiles. It is important to see the sample in combination with future materials, and not choose the temperature only by the name of the shade.

If you are using multiple groups, decide in advance whether they should be the same temperature or different scenarios. A random mixture of shades in one field of view usually looks like a mismatched selection of equipment.

Check out the light from a human perspective

On the plan, show the desk, bed, sofa and screen. Discuss where a person will see each device, where a reflection may appear, and whether it will be convenient to use the light in everyday life.

Before stretching the canvas, the models, sizes and locations of the lamps must be agreed upon. Replacing a device after installation is another task: the dimensions and prepared components may not match. Please save the specifications so you can find a compatible replacement in the future.