Any interior design project must take into account lighting. This element has the power to completely change any space, which is why a lighting project has several detailed phases and some factors that cannot be overlooked.
If you want your interior design to be a success, it is important that you take into account the factors that influence a lighting project. In this article, our project team shares their work philosophy from the moment the lighting project reaches them until it is finished.
1. Plan light points
An essential step in your lighting project is to plan and determine the number and location of light points in the space you are designing or renovating.
Based on the scenes we want to create, the usefulness of the room or the activities that take place in the space, a distribution of light points will be decided. Any good lighting project must take this first step into account to avoid possible technical and aesthetic errors in the future.
Remember to light only where necessary. Each space has a specific lighting need and should not be over-lit.
2. Choose the type of lighting
Whether you want brightly lit areas or areas with softer lighting, it is important to choose the right type of lighting to use in your lighting project. To do this you should take into account elements such as the furniture, the usefulness of the area and the square metres you want to illuminate, as well as the type of light you want to achieve in each space:
- With accent lighting, you can highlight the areas you like the most as a complement to the general lighting, perfect for creating atmosphere and highlighting shapes and colours.
- In areas where you need to generate homogeneous light to carry out basic and functional tasks, it is ideal to opt for general ambient lighting.
- In work areas, focused light and a cooler colour temperature will create an atmosphere of concentration and work that is perfect for offices.
In any case, don't forget to include in your lighting project the points where you will need each type of light.
3. Define the colour temperature
Remember that not all light sources emit the same colour temperature, and it is significant to select the right colour temperature for your space.
- Warm light (2700K or less) transmits comfort and relaxation. It is widely used in dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms.
- Neutral light (2700-4000k) is most commonly used for areas where you are going to study, read or generally perform tasks that require concentration.
- Cold light (over 4000k), which has a more bluish tone, is recommended for dynamic spaces such as clinics, commercial establishments, exteriors and building facades.
This is one of the most important steps that makes a real difference to the design of the space you are undertaking, don't underestimate it!
4. Define the luminaires for each space
Once the type of lighting required in each space has been decided, the next step is to choose the type of luminaire to be installed. In other words, we are referring to the choice of fixtures that house one or more lamps (colloquially called light bulbs). Some of the most common luminaires are:
- Pendant luminaire
- Surface mounted luminaire
- Wall lights
- Recessed
- Linear
5. Avoid glare
Glare could completely spoil your lighting project, so we recommend selecting luminaires with the light source as hidden as possible.
6. Determines the opening degree of the luminaires
The degree of aperture of the luminaire is created by a reflector. The smaller the angle, the narrower the light beam.
Playing with different degrees of openness will also help you to achieve larger spaces and make those that are too large more welcoming. Remember that on higher ceilings it is advisable to use closed degrees of opening, while on lower ceilings it is more convenient to use more open ones.
7. Choose quality luminaires
Having quality luminaires will not only give you better results in your lighting project, it will also prevent technical failures that can ruin all your work.
The Faro Barcelona project team always chooses the best luminaires on the market and even manufactures them to measure.
Always use luminaires with good and durable materials, as this will determine how long they will remain intact. Also, don't forget to select lights with a colour rendering index as close to 100 as possible, which means that the ability to show the colours of an object in a true-to-life way is closer to real sunlight. When selecting them, keep in mind that LED lighting starts with a colour rendering of 80.
8. Use efficient lamps
The use of efficient lamps is highly recommended, as they do not emit or receive heat and therefore have a much longer life span. They also reduce energy consumption and the impact on the environment.
While traditional lights last for 1,200 hours, efficient lamps can last for 30,000 to 50,000 hours, so it is not only a question of greater energy efficiency, but also of saving a lot of money and materials.
9. Seek professional help
If you want to make your lighting project shine, having the help of professionals is the best way to ensure that everything turns out perfectly. The Faro Barcelona project team works with the utmost enthusiasm on all lighting projects, whatever the size of the project, to achieve the best results. Motivation and proximity are their hallmarks.
Contact us without obligation, we can give you advice, and most importantly, a technical and after-sales service that will give you peace of mind knowing that your lighting project will be just as you designed it. Your project is also our project, contact us!
