Luminaires: tips for the home
Chandeliers, polished aluminium spots or 70s chic paper lanterns: luminaires come in a wide range of designs to suit every taste. Where a new home is being built or an existing one radically refurbished, early lighting planning makes good sense: no decision can be taken on luminaires and lamps until it has been established which light is needed where for what purpose.
Design is not always the right criterion for luminaire selection. The more important question is what function the luminaire needs to perform in the room. Lighting designers and experts in the lighting trade can help you find the right luminaire. Below are a few pointers on luminaire selection and use:
- Pendant luminaires are a popular choice over the dining table in a kitchen, dining or living room. The distance between the table top and the lower edge of the luminaire should be around 60 centimetres. This permits eye contact without anyone being dazzled. Pendant luminaires with contact dimmers and luminaires with repositionable lamps for extendable tables are practical solutions.
- Reading luminaires should always be amply adjustable so that their light can be precisely directed. For a free-standing armchair in a room, the solution is a standalone luminaire designed to provide both directional light for reading and dimmable uplighting. The surrounding area is thus also illuminated.
- Recessed ceiling luminaires with a directional beam are better installed near a wall as wallwashers. Directional light on the floor is not a very practical option.
- The same applies to recessed floor luminaires: positioned near a wall, they make for interesting effects. A maximum power rating of 35 W is sufficient. For recessed floor luminaires in the middle of the room – for example in a bathroom or hall – LEDs for white or coloured light are ideal. They should have matt glass enclosures.
- LEDs are also a good choice for recessed wall luminaires. Halogen lamps are similarly well suited for this purpose.
More information on specific types of luminaire can be found in the Products and Manufacturers section of this website.
