Future in Lighting

Light-emitting diodes – sounds futuristic or like something from a funky nightclub, doesn’t it? Better known as LEDs, they are shaping up to be the future in lighting.

LED blub and tape

The incandescent light bulbs we grew up with are notoriously inefficient and don’t last very long. Compact florescent bulbs were touted as the answer to all our lighting woes, but they were woefully unsatisfactory. They are expensive, they flicker, and people didn’t warm to their twisty design. Add to that their poor color rendering (see Designing with Light), the dangerous cleanup when the mercury escapes from a broken bulb, and potential fire hazards, and it’s no wonder CFRs never took off.

Enter LEDs. They have actually been around for a long time as indicator lights but since CFRs failed to replace incandescents, they are beginning to be taken more seriously for general household uses. They still don’t compete in color rendering but they are long-lasting, safe and versatile.

LEDs come in seemingly endless design options, making lighting more fun than ever! You can find them in tape, panels, pucks, ropes, cans and bulbs. You can change colors and switch from cool to warm light all with one bulb. You can even download apps to control them from your phone! Here are some bright ideas for LEDs in your home:

  • This strip lighting uses energy-saving LEDs to illuminate the countertop.

    Strip lighting

  • Small LEDs can light up any drawer.

    led in drawer1

  • LED tape tucked under the lip of these steps make for surer footing.

    tape led stairs

  • LED toekicks make interesting accent lighting and good nightlights.

    toekick kitchen small

    • What cutting-edge uses can you think of for LEDs in your home?

Designing with Light

A well-planned lighting design is the most fundamental design element of any home. Beautiful lighting can make even the simplest spaces appear welcoming and interesting. Poor lighting can make an expensive, beautiful home feel uncomfortable and unattractive. So what’s the key to achieving a flattering ambience while still having enough light see what you are doing?

Think layers. Layered clothing may come and go from fashion trends but layered lighting is definitely, always in. Washing a room with layers of light creates dynamic, visually intriguing spaces while avoiding eye strain and saving on energy bills.

Ambient
The first layer to consider is ambient light. This layer provides the general illumination in a room. Ambient light should never feel harsh but should flood the space with balanced light.

Light colored reflective surfaces enhance the ambient light in this kitchen

Light colored reflective surfaces enhance the ambient light in this kitchen.

Accent
While ambient lighting can be bland, the accent layer creates visual style and makes a room more interesting. Accent lights are targeted to particular objects in a room, enhancing architectural features or highlighting decorative objects. The accent layer creates shadows and adds depth.

Task
Task lighting is the most intense light layer in the room, intended to provide enough light for tasks like reading and cooking.

Dramatic accent lights and well-placed task lights create a bedroom with flair.

A soft ambient glow, dramatic accent lights, and well-placed task lights create a bedroom with flair.

Bulbs are an important consideration in your light design. People generally work better in a cooler white light during the day but prefer a warmer incandescent at night. This is measured in a degrees Kelvin.

The higher the degrees Kelvin, the cooler and brighter the light.

The higher the degrees Kelvin, the cooler and brighter the light.

The ability of a light source to realistically display color is measured by the color rendering index (CRI). A light source with a high CRI will display bright, crisp colors while a low CRI displays murky colors.

CRIchart

Remember to incorporate dimmers and multiple switches into your lighting plan. They provide flexibility, allow you to create different moods, and save energy.

How do you present your home in the best light?

You Light Up My Life

Ok, that’s a joke and you have to have been around in the ’70’s to appreciate it.  However, light is the subject for today’s musing.  Considering that we’ve just finished with Hanukkah, a celebration of light, and are entering into the Christmas holiday, I thought it a good subject to consider.

As you light your homes during this darkest time of year for holidays or parties, do you think about how to utilize lighting to create moods?

There are three types of lighting that should be used together to create a well-lit, comfortable room.  The first is ambient lighting, which is the overall lighting in a room- think overhead or natural lighting.  It’s the background layer of lighting.  Some people stop here and wonder why their rooms aren’t cozy and inviting. 

The next layer is direct or task lighting.  That’s the layer that creates lighting that’s closer to eye level.  Maybe it’s a table lamp next to a chair for good reading, or it’s under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen.  It’s that layer that creates warm pools of light in certain spaces that we use for activities that require concentrated light on an area. 

kitchen showing lighting

Task and ambient lighting

The next level of lighting is accent lighting, which can highlight a number of different things.  Maybe it’s a fabulous piece of artwork or sculpture, a wall washed in light to highlight its texture or color, or maybe its an uplight on a tree or large plant.  This is lighting that creates mood and interest. 

Accent lighting

Have you ever been to a party (or restaurant for dinner) where the lighting was too bright?  It sort of dampens the mood.  The same thing in your home.  Utilize dimmer switches on your overhead or ambient lighting to create a softer “scene”.  Switch on one or two task lights to create warm, inviting areas, and then add the accent lighting. 

Stand back and look at how the light and shadows interplay to create coziness and a welcome feeling.  Try it. Then if you want, you can sing to me.