Eating, reading, watching television, working, relaxing – living room lighting needs to cater for all sorts of activities and situations. So one luminaire alone is obviously not enough; it can neither create a suitable atmosphere nor meet the host of different lighting requirements. The first rule of home lighting design, therefore, is that every room needs a tailored lighting concept, one specifically designed to meet its functional requirements.

Lighting lends structure to a room

The first question that needs to be answered when planning lighting is how much light is needed where and for what purpose? Only after that has been established should lamps and luminaires be selected to address each lighting task. Lighting needs to be provided in the different room zones as general or accent lighting; its purpose is to facilitate orientation and emphasise attractive architectural details. Lighting lends structure to a room and directs the observer's eye.

Good lighting quality with as little glare as possible is always a fundamental requirement for good visual performance. So good lighting depends not only on the design of the luminaire selected but also on its positioning in the room, the suitability of the lamp(s) used in it and the adequacy of the light it delivers.

Lighting has three functions:

A well-composed lighting scheme takes account of different room zones and addresses three distinct tasks:

• general lighting, also known as ambient lighting or – in interiors – room lighting, is designed to facilitate orientation;
• zonal lighting (also referred to as task lighting) illuminates specific areas;
• mood lighting sets highlights and accents.
  
  

General lighting for orientation

General lighting is designed to facilitate orientation. Outdoors it indicates the route to the house, indoors it illuminates stairs and corridors and provides full room lighting. Luminaires should either radiate light upwards towards the ceiling or distribute it evenly in all directions. Where room lighting is dimmable, it can be regulated as required – from low lighting for relaxation to bright lighting for cleaning.

Dimmed room lighting can also be used to avoid marked differences in brightness. This helps prevent eye fatigue, e.g. when watching TV or reading, and makes for a comfortable atmosphere.

Zonal lighting for particular areas

Zonal lighting (also referred to as task lighting) provides light where it is needed for specific visual tasks. It is geared to activities, e.g. at the dining table, at work surfaces in the kitchen or in areas furnished for reading.
Task lighting is realised with directional, accentuating light. It can be provided, for example, by spots directed downwards or onto a wall or by a traditional pendant luminaire over the dining table.

Mood lighting for more atmosphere

As the name suggests, mood lighting is the tool that conjures up a homely atmosphere. This is where artificial lighting comes into its own in the evening: it transforms the room, bathes whole walls in soft colours, casts pictures in the right light. Recessed spots in the floor or table luminaires on a sideboard can also be used to generate a glow or soft beams of light for mood lighting.