Lighting Notes.
General Lighting.
There are many ways to achieve a comfortable level of overall illumination inside or outdoors. Use chandeliers, ceiling or wall brackets, surface or recessed items and lanterns.
Accent Lighting.
Direct higher light levels onto artwork, sculptures or special items. Spotlight trees, foliage, walls or a fireplace to add drama and interest. Use directional wall, ceiling or recessed lighting.
Low Voltage Lighting
Low voltage halogen lamps are more energy efficient than normal incandescent lamps and in addition they last on average twice as long. Their brilliant white light guarantees excellent colour rendering and enhances the beauty of illuminated objects because of it’s intensity. These lamps come in a variety sizes and wattages, but must only be used in conjunction with transformers and cannot be connected directly to the mains supply. Low voltage downlights direct light downwards in either narrow or wide beams and can be used to produce general background lighting or accentuate specific areas.
Kitchens
Use recessed Mains or Low Voltage Halogen fittings, evenly spaced, to give maximum lighting. Use incandescent or low voltage centred in the room for general illumination. For task and under cabinet lighting, use fluorescent light or low voltage systems. Install a pendant over island counters for dining and task lighting.
Dining Rooms
Chandeliers or pendants with 200-240 watts provide abundant overall illumination. Install 30” above the table to allow head room when standing. Diameter of fitting should be 12” less than width of table. Matching wall lights or recessed fittings add sparkle. Light up the shelves of a display cabinet with low voltage lighting and highlight that special feature with a picture light or directional low voltage fitting.
Bathrooms
Shadowless and diffused abundant light levels are needed for shaving grooming and applying make-up. New halogen units offer generous pure white light. Mount items on both sides and top of the mirror. Use a ceiling fixture for overall illumination.
Entrance Foyer, Hallway
Use a flush ceiling item or pendant for general lighting to welcome visitors.
Stairwells
To prevent accidents stairs should be lit top and bottom with switches in both places. Ceiling fixtures, wall brackets or recessed fittings can all be utilized to achieve the necessary illumination.
Front Entrance, Porch
Welcome your guests or identify strangers with generous light levels at the door. Use a lantern type fitting centred 6’ 6” above the bottom of the door, or single or matching wall brackets on both sides of the entrance.
Gardens
For both security and safety, light up steps, driveways, walkways and grounds with decorative post lanterns or bollard lighting systems. Enjoy and enhance your property at night with energy saving lighting to illuminate trees, shrubs and flowers. New LED type fittings can provide excellent lighting and add colour to your environment.
Use the right lamp.
Enhance your lighting by fitting candle shaped bulbs in traditional designs and globes and tubular in contemporary styles. For best effect use clear lamps with crystal, clear or other transparent colours. Use frosted or coated lamps with opal, etched and other translucent glass shades and diffusers. Halogen lamps will bring the colours in your home to life.
How Much Light?
The figures below are given as a guide to the amount of lighting required to illuminate various areas of the home to an adequate level, this figure is approximate and is for standard incandescent lamps only. If Fluorescent lamps are to be used then the overall wattage required will be approximately 1/2 of the figure shown.. Recessed downlights and other accent lighting products should not be included in the calculation.
Living Room / Dining Room approx 1 Watt Per Sq/Ft
Bedroom approx 1 Watt Per Sq/Ft
Family Room approx 1 Watt Per Sq/Ft
Laundry approx 2 Watts Per Sq/Ft
Kitchen approx 2 Watts Per Sq/F
Workshop approx 2 Watts Per Sq/Ft
Landings/Hallways approx 1 ½ Watts Per Sq/Ft
Example
So for a bedroom 10’ x 15’ = 150Sq/Ft, use a minimum of 150w Incandescent for the primary light source, usually the centre fitting, and additional accent lighting as required.
Lighting Levels should be increased if:
* It is an area where tasks are performed.
* The room has ceilings higher than 8’ and/or the walls or floors are dark in colour.
* The lamps are covered with a shade or diffuser that will cut down light output.
What size Chandelier ?
For best results choose a chandelier that is in proportion to the space around it.
For a room 10’ x 10’ use a chandelier of 40cm to 50cm diameter
For a room 12’ x 12’ use a chandelier of 50cm to 65cm diameter
For a room 14’ x 14’ use a chandelier of 60cm to 90cm diameter
Generally each arm on a chandelier accepts a maximum 60w lamp, so from the table above a room 14’ x 14’ would require at the very least a 3 arm fitting to give adequate illumination. Aesthetically, more arms with reduced wattage lamps, or the fitting of a dimmer to the circuit may offer a more desirable option.
