Lighting layout in the apartment. Proper lighting of a modern apartment. Modern preferences in decorative lighting

Installing lamps can maximize all the advantages of your interior or, on the contrary, disguise them by creating ugly shadows. Our conservative views on lighting usually do not go beyond the standard set of a chandelier, floor lamp, wall lamp and sconce. Others, on the contrary, rejecting the old, prefer exclusively LED spotlights. It seems that both points of view are extreme, and perhaps there will be some kind of “golden mean”.

What should modern apartment lighting be like?

When choosing lighting, the number of lamps is calculated and the lighting design is determined

Selection and installation of apartment lighting

The theory of lighting itself has two sides:

The first is purely consumer, based on physical characteristics. Using it, it is enough to calculate the number of lamps in the room, guided by illumination standards measured in lux.

Light level standards

• Living rooms, kitchen – 150 lux
• Children's room – 200 lux
• Office – 300 lux
• Toilet, hallway, combined bathroom – 50 lux
• Bathroom, swimming pool, sauna – 100 lux

You can determine the required power of luminaires by room area and lighting level using this table:

The table shows values ​​for incandescent lamps. For fluorescent lamps, the power should be reduced by 5 times, and for LED lamps - by 10.

Calculation of the required number of lamps

The number of lamps is calculated by dividing the estimated lighting power by the power of one lamp.

• So, in a one-room apartment with an area of ​​30 to 40 m2, 7-8 lamps are quite enough:
  • Chandelier – 1
  • Ceiling lamps – 3
  • Sconce – 2
  • Table lamp – 1
  • Floor lamp (if necessary) – 1
• For a two-room apartment, another chandelier is added
• For a three-room apartment, eleven lamps will be required due to the addition of another chandelier and sconce

You can check the actual level of illumination using a special device - a lux meter..

Theory of interior lighting design

Another side of the lighting theory is that it is considered as a design device, and its functions are as follows::

• Improve and complement the interior
• Using optical illusion to change the size and shape of a room
• Be a decorative adornment element

If you only formally counted the number of light bulbs, observing lighting standards, then this, of course, is far from design. Any electrician can handle this.
But if you have thought about in which direction the light will fall, evenly or with shadows, “raised” or, conversely, “lowered” the ceiling with the help of light, selected the necessary color spectrum of the backlight, etc., then this is already a design or apartment lighting architecture

Examples of application of design in lighting

Natural lighting is also subject to design:

• The very first technique that helps to properly fill a room with daylight is done at the rough stage of renovation:
  Window slopes are made with the angle of dawn
• The second method of artificially redirecting and dispensing rays of light is vertical blinds on the windows

You can improve your interior with artificial lighting if you know the following laws::

• The lighting of all zones should be uniform without deep shadows, otherwise there will be a feeling of a dungeon
• The light in the work area is selected only white
• Space and planes expand in the direction of light:
  • You can make the ceiling higher by lighting it from below
  • a pendant lamp with a lampshade or shade will lower the ceiling
  • You can visually expand the room using side lighting of the walls or horizontal lamps located on the ceiling
• If the background of the room is light, then the lighting in it is uniform; rooms with a predominant dark background are zoned using different light intensities
• When lighting, you must follow these rules:
  • Colored objects are highlighted in white
  • When highlighting white surfaces, it is possible to use colored lighting

Interior lighting concept

There are two concepts - European and American.

Both have their pros and cons:

• European is aimed towards maximum comfort, but is somewhat wasteful
• The American one, using mainly working and local lighting, allows for maximum savings, but it can hardly be called comfortable and beautiful

Types of lighting according to the European system

Let us dwell on the European concept as the most complete. According to it, lighting is divided into several groups according to level and purpose.

Overhead, general lighting

This includes the same chandelier (it turns out that you shouldn’t rush to throw it in a landfill?) or its alternative - a lampshade with several lamps, which allows you to provide more uniform lighting, without light glare on the ceiling.

• Installed in living rooms and other living rooms, as well as in spacious halls
• Light level – bright
• For the living room, it is better to have adjustable brightness, since people stay in this room for a long time, and too bright light for a long time begins to act irritatingly and does not contribute to confidential communication
• Simple incandescent or fluorescent lamps are used

Incandescent lamps are very wasteful, and in addition they emit a large amount of heat - this is their big disadvantage.

A fluorescent lamp with five times less power provides the same level of illumination as an incandescent lamp

But there are also disadvantages to fluorescent light sources:

• Cold light is very uncomfortable
• When the lamp is operating, a monotonous, unpleasant hum may be heard.

LED spotlights are not suitable for general overhead lighting due to the precise directionality of the light beam. Using a point light source with high surface brightness will be very harmful to the eye.

Local local lighting

Its purpose:

Selecting a specific area, for example, a kitchen or bar corner.

Emphasizing individual interior details and decorative elements.

• Intensity – soft
• Levels can be both upper and lower
• Applicable light sources:
  • halogen and metal halide, LED spotlights
  • pendant lamps
  • wall sconces

Spotlights are especially good on a multi-level suspended ceiling to highlight its design and create uniform, shadow-free lighting

But these advantages disappear when using halogen lamps of higher power: the furniture begins to cast shadows.

To eliminate this drawback, lamps are hidden behind protrusions and cornices, canopies, recessed in furniture, or matte caps are used.

Work lighting

There is only one requirement for it - it must be as bright and easy to see as possible.

• Installed at intermediate and lower levels:
  • above the kitchen work area
  • on the desktop
  • near the sofa, bed, couch, where they used to read
• Used accordingly in the form
  • recessed halogen lamps
  • table lamps
  • floor lamps and wall sconces

Decorative lighting of the apartment

It is not an independent light source and is used for decorative purposes or as a night light.

You can use it wherever your heart desires, but it especially suggests itself in the bedroom and living room:

for lighting the ceiling, mirrors, niches, paintings, bottom lighting of walls, etc. The bedroom uses soft general lighting and bright local lighting.

1. There are several subtleties in the lighting design of the living room:
   • If the furniture in the living room is dark in color, then it is better to choose a lamp with horizontal lamps
   • For light-colored furniture, it is recommended to direct the lamps downwards
   • For a spacious room or a room with a high ceiling, a lamp with a lower reflector is suitable
2. For zoning in a one-room apartment, it is good to use reflector lamps that are adjustable in height
3. Pendant lamps with a lampshade or shade are welcome in the bedroom, as this visually lowers the ceiling and makes the room more comfortable.
   The general lighting in the bedroom should be dim, and bright light sources should be installed near the bed (floor lamps, wall sconces, or table lamps on bedside tables)
   LED window lighting installed behind the curtain around the perimeter of the window looks impressive and intriguing.
4. The children's room should have bright and at the same time non-irritating lighting, so the best solution is matte shades or halogen lamps protected by caps
5. The optimal lighting for the kitchen is halogen, which is installed in the kitchen work area
   The lighting solution can be supplemented with a central ceiling lamp
6. For a corridor, one central lamp is sufficient, but to ensure uniformity of incident light, you can also use economical lighting near the eaves
7. In the bathroom and toilet, the lighting should be soft and even. This is achievable with the help of a ceiling lamp in which a simple incandescent lamp is installed - another one, under conditions of forced protection from moisture, simply will not last long.
   Matte halogen lamps are installed above the mirror

Thus, if we now count the number of lamps used in the interior of our apartment, then it will, of course, be greater than the estimated required number. So what?.. Beauty and comfort in lighting design also require sacrifice.

Video: Lighting Design

Designer Ekaterina Malaya helped The Village figure out why lighting design is needed, what tiers and lighting scenarios are, and why, already at the electrical planning stage, you need to know exactly where your favorite figurine will stand.

Ekaterina Malaya

designer

Even if you found “that” shade for the walls, spent money on wooden floors, brought back a Moroccan carpet from a trip and ordered furniture from the latest collection of a successful brand in Milan, the result may be disappointing. All your six-month efforts can be crossed out by one single mistake - illiterate lighting. This happens when electrical wiring is installed at random at the planning stage. And not from a lack of diligence, but simply because they haven’t yet decided where the sofa will be, how long the dining table will be, and haven’t thought about accessories at all.

Rule one

Start electrical planning when a detailed furniture arrangement plan is ready

At the very least, this will make your new home comfortable to live in. Switches are usually located at a distance of 15 centimeters from the edge of the doorway, on the side where the door handle is: you must be sure of the door opening pattern. For overhead lights in the bedroom, I always recommend a pass-through switch to my customers so that they can turn the same overhead light on or off both at the door and at the bed. This is also convenient for a long corridor leading from the hallway to the bedrooms. But try to avoid too many switches. If on the way from the front door to the kitchen you have to turn on the light more than twice, then the circuit is bad: you simply will not use it to its full potential.

Rule two

The light should be different

The space we live in is three-dimensional, and building lighting in tiers will help emphasize depth and volume, which is impossible to do with a single light source. Designers distinguish four tiers of lighting: the top (ceiling lamps, chandeliers, built-in spotlights), the first middle (wall lamps, sconces, floor lamps), the second middle (bedside lamps, lamps on low window sills and coffee tables) and the bottom (lights built into plinth and floor, floor light sculptures).

The lower the light source, the more intimate the atmosphere it creates, and vice versa. With the overhead light on (even if it is a stunningly romantic chandelier with candles and crystal pendants), it is impossible to achieve the effect of a cozy room. The two lower levels of lighting are best suited for this purpose - candles in a decorative fireplace or a real fire in the hearth also include them.

Rule three

Don't insist on sconces

Wall lamps (first middle tier) are not currently used independently. 150 years ago these were candles on the wall that were easy to reach, while chandeliers were lit only on special occasions. In modern classic interiors, sconces remained by inertia, as an accessory. They turn on rarely, and always together with the chandelier. Many of my customers ask me to plan a sconce above the bed. But it's not functional. Ideal for the sleeping area is a combination of a lamp with soft diffused light on the bedside table and a small lamp with a flexible leg for reading, which can be mounted on the wall or at the head. This way you will be able to see the text clearly without tiring your eyes. The sconce only illuminates the wall or the top of your head.

Rule four

Think about unusual lamps in advance

Another type of wall lamps: located at the same height as classic sconces (140-170 centimeters from the floor), they look more like a sculpture or installation and can become a central element in the interior. It is better not to put off the appearance of such objects in the apartment until the last minute. This is the very stove from which you should dance, thinking over the covering of the walls, the configuration of the furniture and even the proportions of the room. If you simply put a free cable on the wall in order to then pick up something here to illuminate a dark corner, you will be disappointed: such lamps do not produce much more light than a night light, and most likely they will look out of place.

Rule five

Avoid mistakes when planning spot lighting

Built-in, or spotlights, came to us along with European-quality renovation. A multi-level ceiling with halogen lamps was designed to replace the bourgeois chandelier. 20 years have passed, but many of us still have no idea that we can use this tool in any other way. It is useful to know that each spotlight has a specific beam width. If we place a series of narrow beam spotlights very close to the wall, we will create a rhythmic light pattern on the surface of the wall, built-in wardrobe or upholstered high headboard. In addition, this is the most effective way to emphasize an unusual texture - artificial stone, brickwork, relief tiles.

Built-in lamps can be fixed or rotating. The latter are especially useful for accent lighting of art objects or accessories. If you are going to place your grandfather's collectible sailboat on the console or mantelpiece, take care of a pair of spotlights built into the ceiling, the rays of which can be directed at the object crosswise, like spotlights on a stage. Beam width for accent lighting also plays a big role. 40–50 degrees is optimal for illuminating large paintings. Small sculptures in such a stream of light will get lost and merge with the wall; they require a narrow beam 10 degrees wide.

A common mistake is using flat LED lamps for spot lighting. The light source must be located in the recess, otherwise it will draw attention not to the object, but to itself, and, even worse, simply blind the eyes. The same rule is also true for illuminating the work surface in the kitchen, especially if the kitchen is combined with the dining room. The eyes of a person sitting at the table are below the level of the lighting mounted under the wall kitchen cabinets. And if the lamps are not recessed into the bottom of the cabinets, the bright light hits the eyes and causes discomfort. Therefore, high-quality modern kitchens have a thickened bottom with built-in lighting. If your budget does not allow you to spend money on such a model, at the kitchen planning stage do not forget to add a special baseboard for the upper cabinets and install the lighting strictly behind it.

Rule six

Experiment

If the capabilities of built-in lamps are constantly used in interiors on the ceiling tier, then the lower tier is completely undeservedly ignored, while integrating a spotlight into the floor is no more difficult. Such lamps are often waterproof and equipped with diffusers. Taking into account the fact that rare repairs are done without leveling the floor, the centimeters required for the lamp from the ceiling to the surface of the floor covering will always be found, and as a result you get additional volume and depth of the room. If you are the proud owner of deep window sills, build a couple of miniature spotlights into each of them near the slopes. This way, firstly, you will emphasize the wonderful architectural feature of your apartment, and secondly, you will get another soft light source on the middle tier.

Rule seven

Be careful when choosing light for your bathroom

Light in the bathroom is often undeservedly left unattended. But he is capable of changing a room beyond recognition. Apply tiered lighting, integrate an LED strip into the recess in the bath screen (you will get the effect of a “floating bath”) and under the sink, frame the ledge with the wall-hung toilet and the doorway with lamps built into the floor. Use moisture-proof bidirectional lamps in a wet area: the sheaves of light will make your mosaic on the wall sparkle.

The mirror area deserves special attention. Remember that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, and use this rule to get the most out of your face. A common mistake is to place a wall lamp on a leg above the mirror, the bright light of which is directed downward. Your reflection in such lighting will appear 15 years older, your complexion will look lifeless, deep folds will appear on it, and bags will appear under your eyes. The same thing will happen to the face as to a textured wall, which was emphasized with built-in lamps: its relief will be greatly enhanced due to hard shadows. Choose a rotating lamp and direct the beam or use diffused circular lighting of the mirror. A good alternative would be two wall lamps on either side of the mirror: their cross light will remove unnecessary shadows.

Rule eight

Don't overdo it with light in the kitchen

It is commonly believed that there is no such thing as too much light in the kitchen. As a rule, proponents of this principle place a large number of light bulbs on the ceiling, creating a grid of spotlights. Nothing but harsh shadows, unnatural faces and an operating room atmosphere can be achieved this way. Meanwhile, the main thing in the kitchen is illumination of the work area and proper lighting of the dining table, on which the atmosphere and duration of family dinners depend.

The lamp above the table must have a long suspension. If it is located above 150 centimeters from the floor, then, again, it casts shadows on faces and does not illuminate the table enough. Choose a lamp with a wide lampshade made of dense material: the ideal shape for a round and square table is a large inverted bowl. The dimensions of the table must be known in advance, otherwise you will not be able to avoid moving the lamp. And the suspended ceiling in the dining area gives no room for error at all.

You can complement the lighting scheme in the kitchen with built-in lighting on the lower tier: for example, install an LED strip in the bottom of the lower cabinets or spotlights in the kitchen plinth.

Rule nine

The most important thing is lighting scenarios

An evening with the family, a children's birthday, a house party, working from home, a romantic dinner - obviously, in different situations you will need different light. For large apartments and complex layouts, the ideal solution is to install a “smart home” system, which will control not only the lighting, but also the acoustic system, electric curtains and heated floors. The lighting scenario in this case is programmable and can be changed according to your wishes.

If you need to once and for all think through the groups for switching on lighting fixtures and assign them to switches, be guided by imaginary situations. If you go to the toilet at night, you don't need bright light at all. This means that one key should turn on all the soft lighting - the lower tier, the illumination of niches, and the second key, on which the flood light is turned on, you will use while cleaning or in the morning to wake up.

The middle tier in the living room is conveniently connected to one switch. Have you ever noticed how American movie characters come home and turn on all the table lamps and floor lamps with one click? This is the so-called evening lighting scenario, ideal in a situation when you have returned after a long day of work and dream of one thing - throwing yourself on the sofa. But you should not group lamps solely according to the principle of tiers. Don’t be afraid to show your imagination: for example, a soft evening scenario for a corridor may include lower lighting and an illuminated wall niche at a dead end. All this is your script and your dramaturgy.

PHOTOS: cover - shutterstock.com / Ventura, 1 - shutterstock.com / Yarik, 2 - shutterstock.com /ER_09, 3 - shutterstock.com / AnnaTamila, 4 - archiproducts, 5 - shutterstock.com / ShortPhotos, 6 - shutterstock.com / ARZTSAMUI, 7 - shutterstock.com / Photographee.eu, 8 - shutterstock.com / Henrik Winther Andersen, 9 - shutterstock.com / Jacek_Kadaj

A carefully thought-out lighting design should not only transform the interior, but also ensure the comfort and health of the inhabitants of the house. At the project creation stage, a variety of nuances are taken into account.

Types of lighting and their functions

There are two main types of light sources:

• natural – natural;
• artificial – technical devices of various designs.

The intensity of natural light is directly related to the time of day and depends on the time of year, geographical location and atmospheric conditions. Natural light is the most optimal from the point of view of physiology and life activity. But it is not enough for full functioning. That is why such serious attention is paid to planning artificially created additional lighting. This includes incandescent, fluorescent and LED devices.

Main artificial lighting options:

• general;
• accented;
• working;
• combined.

General lighting

This is the most common type, without which no room can do. The light comes from above and spreads evenly throughout the room. The most striking example is the chandelier in the center of the ceiling. It does not produce a light figure with clear edges that can be clearly distinguished on the floor or wall.

General lighting can be divided into:

• directional is the most common option. It is characterized by the creation of a single light spot. It can be organized using open lamps in the shape of a cone, hemisphere, truncated ball, cube, trapezoid, cylinder, rectangle;
• indirect - formed by reflecting light from walls or ceilings;
• diffused - light is scattered through frosted glass or a spherical paper lampshade. It does not strain the eyes and is the most comfortable for a person. The beams spread evenly at an angle of up to 360 degrees. This occurs due to the use of opaque closed shades;
• mixed - formed due to the special shape of translucent lamps with an open top and bottom. These modern models are increasingly used in the design of apartments or offices. The glow comes from all sides - breaks through the walls, reflects from the ceiling and walls, falls from above as a direct light spot. This method of filling space with light is the most productive.

Accent lighting

Accent or local lighting is used to highlight certain areas. Its main function is to draw attention to individual objects or areas in the room. It can have a purely decorative purpose - illumination of a painting, sculpture, or have practical significance. With the help of point switches, we can safely move up the stairs, navigate in a dark closet, and find the necessary items on the bedside table. Accent lighting allows you to play with space, snatching one or another area from the darkness, giving them the main meaning depending on their use. During dinner, the dining area is illuminated. Then we move to the sofa to read in silence or, on the contrary, chat with members of the household. In multifunctional rooms, for example, in one-room apartments or studios, this lighting method is simply necessary. It allows you to do your own thing without interfering with each other. To create accents, floor lamps, table lamps, ceiling pendants, sconces, spotlights, and LED strips are used.

There are three types of accent lighting:

• sharp - the formation of a bright spot with clearly defined edges. The light is not scattered, the space outside the beam is immersed in darkness. This technique is used in the theater when only a small area is isolated where the action takes place. It is often used to focus attention on an object. It is suitable for highlighting the beauty of collectible items in glass display cases and highlighting expressive architectural elements - columns, bas-reliefs, arches. The beam can be aimed up, down, or directly at an object at a 30-degree angle;
• softened - created using lamps equipped with a power regulator. Allows you to effectively, but unobtrusively highlight the necessary details. The obvious advantages are achieving a less dramatic atmosphere and saving energy;
• soft - organized to focus attention on objects that are harmful to bright light - paintings and other objects of art. It is formed using frosted lampshades placed above the object.

Work lighting

Good lighting is essential for efficient and safe work. In conditions of light deficiency, the load on vision increases, which can lead to its decrease. Due to constant tension, not only the eyes get tired, but the overall fatigue of the body increases. A person is not able to work long and productively in twilight. The effectiveness and complexity of activities such as drawing, knitting, jewelry making, sewing, reading, writing, and cooking directly depend on the quality of lighting and its direction. The general light falls from above, so it creates a shadow on the workspace. It is necessary to equip this area with special directional sources - a table lamp, sconce, floor lamp, point rotary devices. It is better not to use luminescent options in these areas, as they often flicker and distort colors, and this negatively affects vision. Halogen devices are much better perceived, but they are not economical enough. Therefore, the best choice is LED designs, which produce a glow that is pleasant to the eye and consumes much less electricity.

Combined lighting

The essence of this option is a combination of the previously described methods. Any interior design necessarily contains a combination of different types of lighting. In some rooms the general dominates, in others the accent dominates. For example, in the living room, the central role is given to luxurious or laconic multi-arm chandeliers. And in an office or bedroom, bright general light is not so important, but here you cannot do without a good table lamp or sconce. Light is one of the most popular tools for zoning rooms. In a children's room, in addition to common ones, local devices are needed in the work and play areas. In the kitchen - above the dining table and above the cooking surface. In the bathroom and hallway - in the area of ​​a mirror or decorative niche. The combination of different options can be observed in any room, but it takes on special significance in a multifunctional one. In living rooms combined with a bedroom, kitchen or dining room, it is especially important to provide for the possibility of different lighting scenarios.

Rules and regulations

The use of artificial lighting has necessitated the development of clear requirements for its parameters. A person’s well-being, his emotional state, his ability to work efficiently, and the preservation of good vision depend on how well it is organized. Therefore, different premises have their own specific standards. It is easy to guess that for a study and a closet their values ​​will not be the same. The main document that you need to rely on when calculating the number and power of appliances in an apartment is SNiP 05/23/95. It regulates natural and artificial lighting of residential, educational, commercial, industrial premises, as well as public gardens, parks, streets, squares.

The unit of illumination is Lux -1 lumen per square meter. m. The norm depends on the purpose of the room. For example, for a living room, bedroom or dining room, 150 Lux is enough. In the nursery it is necessary to provide 200 Lx, in the bathroom or kitchen already 250, and in the office all 300. In the hallway, pantry, attic or basement you will need 50-60 Lx.

About light sources

Natural sources include sun rays, starlight, aurora, and moonlight. Artificial resources include fire: fires, torches, candles, gas lanterns, and electric lamps. The latter are divided into several types:

• incandescent lamps - contain a filament body, which produces the glow. A spiral of tungsten or carbon filament is placed in the design. A vacuum is then created in the flask. This helps prevent metal oxidation. At the moment the electrical circuit is closed, heating occurs, as a result of which the filament element begins to glow. The advantages of such lamps are that they withstand temperature changes well. They will work in a cold corridor or a hot bath without any problems. The disadvantage of such lamps is that they consume a lot of energy and produce a large amount of heat;
• halogen - their difference from the previous ones is that the flask is filled with halogen vapor. They are used for the most powerful devices. Gas allows you to significantly increase the temperature of the coil and extend the service life. Like conventional incandescent lamps, halogen sources use a large amount of energy to heat up. Another disadvantage is dependence on power surges;

• luminescent - flasks with a special coating applied on the inside. It emits light due to the constant combustion of vapors contained in the flask. Compared to conventional lamps, the service life of these devices is much longer. The obvious advantage is cost-effectiveness. Lamps consume 5-7 times less electricity than halogen lamps. The disadvantages include the difficulty of use - the need to use additional devices - a trigger mechanism, a starter. There are other disadvantages - flickering and sensitivity to low temperatures, air flows and environmental humidity;
• energy-saving - a subtype of fluorescent lamps. To the listed qualities of sources of this type are added the spiral shape and the presence of a standard base. Thanks to this, the lamps can be used in ordinary chandeliers and lamps without any additional structures;
• LED - revolutionary devices based on the use of LEDs. Unlike their predecessors, they do not heat up or flicker, and also withstand environmental influences and power surges well. The high cost of the devices is more than compensated by their long service life and unsurpassed low resource consumption.

Natural light and how to regulate it

Direct exposure to natural light into a room can cause some discomfort. Reflecting from mirror and glossy surfaces, the sun's harsh rays irritate the eyesight. In addition, they heat the room too much, and this is not always desirable, especially in the summer. Therefore, there are various ways to protect against the penetration of daylight and regulate its amount.
Traditionally, various curtains and tulle are used for this purpose. The choice of material depends on the needs of the room owners. You can choose light transparent curtains that will only slightly adjust the lighting. Or blind curtains that create absolute darkness in the room even during the daytime. Blinds and roller blinds are used as light regulators. There is a more radical solution - to install double-glazed windows with a special coating to reflect sunlight. This is especially true for windows in the roof of the attic floor. And for those who do not have the opportunity to change glass, there are plenty of offers for self-adhesive tinting film.

If there is not enough light, it can be “caught” using:

• window extensions;
• introducing reflective surfaces, light finishes and furniture into the interior;
• removing trees and bushes covering windows.

About lamps and their placement

A harmonious lighting scenario is created based on the characteristics of the room and design direction. Correctly selected accents allow you to visually change the space, correct its shortcomings and emphasize its advantages.

The “queen” of lighting design is still the chandelier. In a large room with high ceilings, massive structures on a long suspension are used. Low ceilings are a reason to shorten the length of the cord or chain and direct the rays upward, creating the illusion of raised arches. Spotlights can be an addition to the “centerpiece” of a living room or act as a “core” in a hallway or bathroom. Sconces, spots, floor lamps, table lamps - serve as a highly specialized addition to the main light. Each of them has its own specific responsibilities - lighting the workspace, places for relaxing, reading, cooking or eating. LED panels, cords, fiber are excellent tools for decorating a two-level stretch ceiling or walls. Cords mounted in plasterboard niches can be multi-colored. To change the color, you just need to press a button on the remote control. Using LEDs, they create a variety of patterns that look stunning at night.

Does lighting have a style?

To answer this question, you need to take a closer look at the devices that help fill the room with light. The style directly depends on the characteristics of the lamps - shape, color, materials of manufacture. In classic interiors, chandeliers and sconces with crystal pendants are welcome. In modern ones, chrome-plated devices reign. Pop art is filled with bright, sometimes awkward lampshades. The interior of a country house in the Provence style will be “warmed” by textile lampshades. A loft is unthinkable without production spotlights, track systems and spots. Forged or wooden structures add country flavor. Art Nouveau is made even more impressive by intricate lines and shapes. The chosen style affects the number of light sources, their power and placement.

Room lighting design

Proper organization of lighting is one of the primary design tasks. This is the most important component of the comfort and coziness of your home. Each room has its own rules for selecting and installing certain devices. Light should emphasize the advantages of the chosen design and create a certain atmosphere.

Hallway and corridor

The hallway is usually deprived of sunlight. The use of artificial sources allows you to transform a gloomy corridor into a bright, attractive reception area. There is no need for bulky appliances here - why “eat up” an already small space. In addition, it is unsafe to use voluminous chandeliers and floor lamps in a cramped room. It would be more advisable to place a ceiling spotlight here and hang a sconce on the wall near the mirror. LED lighting in the cabinet or decorative niches, as well as a mirrored wall, will enhance the illumination.

Living room

In the living room the situation is reversed. Here a volumetric chandelier is more than appropriate. Since this is a common room, different lighting scenarios need to be provided. A sconce above an armchair, a floor lamp by the sofa, and an LED fiber device on the coffee table will fit perfectly into the interior. LED decoration with various programs will help you relax on a weekday and decorate a holiday party.

Bedroom

The traditional design of a bedroom involves the presence of overhead light - a chandelier or devices built into the suspended ceiling, lamps in the area of ​​the bedside tables and dressing table. In addition, LED lighting is used for niches, cabinets, and bed contours. Theatrical mirrors and paintings with built-in lamps add special chic to the room.

In every home, the thing that unites absolutely all rooms, but does not equalize each other, is lighting. In the modern world it is no longer possible to do without lighting devices, because we do a lot of things around the house in the evening, when natural light is no longer a question.

With the help of light sources you can create any atmosphere in your home: from festive to romantic. And in this matter, there are certain subtleties in the design of lighting for each room in the apartment. You will learn about this and much more from our article.

Design options

Room lighting option

With the help of light, you can change the accents of any room in the apartment beyond recognition. In this case, you can use different approaches and design solutions. For example, modern lighting in the home is increasingly aimed at illuminating a specific area of ​​the room. This method is actively used today for zoning rooms.
In a modern apartment, lighting design and lighting can be arranged in four options:

• general or background lighting. In this situation, the central lamp, for example, a chandelier, acts as a lighting device. Here the light turns out to be diffused;
• local or local lighting. This lighting method allows you to create additional lighting for a specific area. The object of lighting in this situation is interior items;
• work lighting. With the help of such lighting you can illuminate your workplace. A special feature of such lighting devices is their bright, directional light. The object of orientation here will be the human eye. This approach can most often be found in the kitchen;
• decorative lighting. Used as local illumination of decorative interior elements (vases, sculptures, niches, etc.).

To create lighting in your home, you can use the following types of lighting fixtures:

• chandelier. Always acts as a central light source. In a modern apartment, this lamp is increasingly being abandoned;
• Spotlights. It is they who have recently been replacing chandeliers. They can play the role of both main lighting and additional lighting. Very often used in combination with LED strips;
• LED Strip Light. An excellent light source for creating hidden lighting. It is especially common in stretch and plasterboard ceilings.

Ceiling lighting

In addition, neon lamps, duralight, etc. can act as lighting devices. But these lamps are much less common at home than the types described above.
In one room you can use either one of the lighting options or a combination of several options. It all depends on what purpose each specific room in the house has, and what you most often do in it.

Illumination standards

Not everyone knows that each individual room in an apartment has its own lighting standards. Your comfortable stay at home will depend on how correctly the lighting standards are implemented.
In the standards given in regulatory documents on lighting (SNiP), the following parameters are taken as the basis for calculations:

• luminous flux power;
• number of lamps in the room;
• area of ​​the illuminated room.

Illumination standards table

It is on the basis of these criteria that the lighting standards for each room in the apartment, indicated in the table above, are calculated.

Note! Experts on this issue have come up with a general rule for organizing the level of light flux in an apartment. According to this rule, lighting fixtures with a total power of 60-75 kW should be used for every 5 m2.

Using this simple formula, you can independently calculate the required level of illumination for each room in the apartment.
In addition, there are some recommendations that can simplify these calculations:

• for a one-room apartment with an area of ​​30-40 m2, you need to use no more than 8 lighting fixtures;
• for a two-room apartment this figure should be increased to 9 lamps;
• in three- and four-room apartments, as many as 11 lighting fixtures should be installed.

Sources of light

Lighting in a modern apartment can be provided by various types of light bulbs that act as a light source. At this point in time, the following types of lamps are used:

• incandescent lamps;
• fluorescent lamps;
• Duralight light cords;
• LEDs;
• metal halide and halogen light bulbs;
• optical fibers.

Types of light bulbs

Each of the above light source options has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, incandescent lamps have become increasingly rare in modern homes. This is explained by the popularity of rationalization and saving trends in many areas of human activity, and their electricity consumption remains at a fairly high level, in contrast to more modern light sources. Therefore, even despite the positive characteristics of the luminous flux, incandescent lamps are gradually becoming a thing of the past.
The most popular options for decorating lighting in an apartment are energy-saving lamps. Of these, it is worth highlighting LED and fluorescent options. They often take up space in modern lighting fixtures.
Fluorescent light bulbs are inferior to their LED counterparts in some respects. Their loss is based on the following negative points:

LED lamp

• create a hum during operation;
• the emitted light has a bluish glow, and it is not very comfortable for the human eye;
• the need to use additional devices for connection;
• the presence of a flickering effect;
• certain harm to human health.

All these disadvantages are almost completely absent in LED light bulbs.

Such light sources are recognized as the most energy-efficient lamps with a long service life during continuous operation. In addition, they study light of different spectrums, which simplifies their selection for a specific room in the apartment. The LED lamp is great for creating general, local and task lighting.
In turn, metal halide and halogen light sources, due to the creation of a narrowly directed beam of light, are used in modern apartments as zoned or decorative lighting. Duralight is also more suitable for decorative lighting of any room in the house.

Design rules

The design used in modern houses and apartments today is aimed at a certain degree of sophistication. Moreover, any element of the interior acquires pretentiousness and volume when supplemented with lighting. In the modern world, lighting has ceased to play a purely practical and functional role, but has entered the interior and become an integral part of it.

Interior and lighting

In this case, lighting acts as an effective tool for correcting unsuccessful room geometry, as well as visually moving aspects to more advantageous interior elements.
When using any light sources in design, you must remember the following nuances:

• bright light can visually expand the space available in the room. Thus, with just a couple of lamps you can expand the space even in a small room, without resorting to minimizing the furniture;
• You can increase the effect of expanding space by using reflective materials when decorating walls and ceilings;
• if there is a need to visually reduce the space, then it should be darkened using less bright light sources and dark colors in the decoration;
• a visual increase in the height of the walls will occur when the light is directed upward using a reflector;
• a visual reduction in the height of the walls can be achieved by using floor lampshades, which create local shadows in the room.

But remember that the main aspect that will allow you to create a complete ensemble of furniture, lighting and decoration in any room of a house or apartment is a harmonious combination of all parts of the composition.

Harmony in everything

Indeed, when decorating the interior of your home, remember that everything should complement each other and flow into one another. In order not to cause disharmony, for each room it is necessary to choose one design style or combine complementary interiors. And a meeting in this situation can serve as the element that will unite all objects and finishing styles into a single whole.

Harmonious combination

It is worth adding separately that all the above-mentioned nuances of designing the light level for each specific room must be taken into account. Only minor deviations from the norms, up or down, are allowed. If you deviate too far from accepted norms, then even in a beautifully decorated interior it will be uncomfortable and unpleasant to stay for a long time.
You can slightly increase the number of light bulbs and lighting fixtures in those rooms that are visited most often. But where you visit least often, you can install fewer light bulbs and fixtures. This way you can save more without compromising your comfort.

Conclusion

From all of the above, we can conclude that the approach to decorating the interior of a house should be thoughtful in all areas. Modern lighting in an apartment should create comfortable conditions for rest and work, as well as pleasant time with the family. With just a couple of lamps you can visually change the perception of space in a room, making it deeper and more expressive. But everything must remain within the existing lighting standards.

Making an original bio-fireplace on your own

Organizing lighting in an apartment is one of the primary tasks that must be solved at the interior planning stage. When choosing lighting fixtures, you need to think about more than just aesthetic appeal. Remember that the level of illumination in a home directly affects the health of people, pets and even flowers.

Correct lighting

Two factors influence lighting efficiency:

• Lamp power
• Number of light sources

By varying the number of lamps, you can successfully reflect the light scenario of the room.

To arrange functional areas, for example, for relaxing, eating, working, playing, etc., lighting fixtures of different brightness are combined. The skillful use of light and shadow emphasizes all the advantages and hides the flaws of the room.

Living room

This room requires bright general light (200-250 W). Based on the area, the number of local sources is determined. For example, if the living room also includes a workplace, then it is additionally illuminated with a table lamp.

Bedroom

Here it is appropriate to use a lamp with a matte shade or a short chandelier (100-150 W). Sconces (60-100 W) are placed at the head of the bed on both sides.

Opposite you can place a floor lamp or a pair of less powerful lamps (40-60 W). This combination helps create a calm environment.

Kitchen

If the room is small, then general lighting is not necessary. It is recommended to move the lamp closer to the dining table. LEDs can be used to additionally illuminate kitchen units.

Bathroom

General lighting is required. The local source can be hung above the mirror. Since this is a room with high humidity, the lamps should have shades.

Children's

In this room, it is better to create lighting using multi-point lamps. They do not emit bright directional light, which avoids negative effects on vision.

Equip your study or computer desk with a desk lamp. Light a place for doing handicrafts, drawing or reading with a sconce or floor lamp.

Corridor and hallway

Since these are often small and narrow rooms, the light here needs to be bright and versatile. Install lamps along the perimeter of the walls. Additionally, a mirror can be highlighted with soft natural light.

For modern apartment lighting, it is important to take into account the color rendition of sources. This will allow you to comfortably arrange all the rooms and prevent color distortion of interior items. It is optimal to use lamps with an index of Ra-100. This light allows you to display colors most accurately. The lower the value of the indicator, the worse the color rendering.

If you still haven’t decided how exactly to make lighting in your apartment, look at photos on the Internet and you’ll probably come up with ideas. Otherwise, you can hire a designer and he will solve this problem.

If problems arise with the lighting circuit, you can seek advice from a lighting engineer; he will tell you how to correctly calculate the lighting and give practical advice. Remember that with the help of light you can turn an inconspicuous home into a masterpiece. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Photo of lighting in the apartment