Interior Design Lighting: Types, Effects, and Measurement

Light

(both and natural and artificial) is an important element for interior design to examine aesthetic, practical and technical aspects. through this that we see color, and by light we discern all the elements and components of an interior.

efficacy

The ratio of lumens per watt of electricity used, measuring the relationship between light output and heat produced by both daylight and electric light sources.

chromaticity

The relative proportions of red, green, and blue colors required to produce a specific illuminant color.

natural light

or light from the sun has a full spectrum of colors. The

color of light is different at morning, noon and evening

and within any one of those times, will vary according

to the season and weather conditions. The color of thischanges at morning, noon, and evening, and varies with seasons and weather conditions.

Orientation

refers to the directions of the light.

Orientation also takes into account reflected

surfaces.

ombustion light

Natural lighting sources such as firelight, candlelight, and lanterns that create a cozy atmosphere.

Luminaires

may incorporate flame-shaped bulbe that flicker to copy the light of real candlelights in combustion light

artificial light

Can create moods, add sparkle and emphasis and be

irected and manipulated to meet the goals of the

interior. Most common forms of artificial lighting used

today are flourescent lighting, inandescent lighting

and LED lighting.

incandescent light

A lamp in which a filamen gives off light when heated

to incandescence by electric current. Also called as

light bulb

Filament

the threadlike conductor of an electric

lamp that is heated to incandescence by the passage

of an electric current.

Incandescence

the emission of visible light by a

body when heated to a high temperature.

compact fluorescent lamp (CFL)

compressed into

the size of a standard-issue incandescent lamp.

two m ain parts: GAS FILLED BULB (bulb/burner) OR

MAGNETIC/ ELECTRONIC BALLAST which contains a

tiny circuit boards, a filter and transistors that convert

and regualte electricty.

Tungsten Halogen Lighting

filament of small lamp is

surrounded with halogen gas. Used as flood, spotlight or

two voltage lighting.

Low Voltage Lighting

uses a type of lamp that

controls the beam spread, usually has a built in reflector

with a tungsten halogen bulb that produces as anaccent.

LED lighting

Light-emitting device a semi conductor device or microship

that converts electricity into light bby controlling the current to

yield an overall white light.

general lighting

Lighting that is usually planned into the blueprints of a home, providing overall illumination.

ambient lighting

Indirect lighting that reflects off surfaces to create a pleasant quality of illumination.

RECESSED EYEBALL SPOTLIGHTS

- wash the walls with light in the ceiling around

the perimeter of the room

UPLIGHT LIGHTERS

cast light onto the ceilings, where it is reflected back into the

room, creating a sft general illumination.

task lighting

Lighting that directs the right amount of light where it is needed for specific tasks.

TRACK LIGHTING & SPOTLIGHTS

are also used to focus light unto a task area.

accent lighting

Lighting that focuses on a piece of art or accessory, creating interest and drama.

mood lighting

Lighting that creates a sense of coziness, often using soft or low light against a dark background.

Ampere or amperage.

the unit of electrcic current, equal to the current produced

by 1 volt, typical residence has a 15-amp circuit fed into it from the main utility line.

kilowatt-hour (kWh)

The work done by 1000 watts in 1 hour, commonly used in electric billing.

Volt or voltage

- the unit for electric potential, defining the force or pressure of

electricity in the power line, PH standard is 240V.

candela

The unit of luminous intensity.

Watts/Wattage

the unit of electricity power equal to that produced by 1A across a

potential of 1V.

Color temperature

the color of light, measured in Kelvin (K). Sunlight at sunrise is 1800k. Higher

numbers are cooler light, as bkue in gas flames indicates higher heat.

Color rendering index

lights’s effect on color scaled from 0 to 100, with sunlight at 100; higher

thanthe number the more true the color will appear.

Efficacy

converting electricity into light measured in lumens per watt.

Foot candle (fl)

or footlambert - the mount of light thrown by one candle on a sqaure foot of

surface, equal to 1 lumen per sqaure foot.

lumen

a measure of brightness and the unit of luminous flux or flow, measured againts the

luminous intensity of a candle.

lux

the unit of general illumination equal to 1 lumen per sqm., Bright sunshine is 10,000 lux, a well lit

office is 500 to 1000, and home lighting is 300 to 500 lux.

Cornice lighting

a light behind a board

mounted into the ceiling washes light down

onto the wall.

valance lighting

Lighting used over the top of windows or fixtures to wash light down onto walls.

bracket lighting

Lighting mounted lower on the wall that washes the upper wall with light.

recessed downlight

Canisters set into the ceiling that cast pools of light downward.

Brackt lighting (up only)

a light placed just

belowthe ceiling has th board or deflector

beneath it.

Soffit lighting (in a kitchen)

a light built into

the soffit shines downward from the top of

the cabinet overhead.

Soffit lighting (in a bath)

-provides even

illumination for personal grooming.

Base or Toe mold lighting

a strip light is

placed against the floorwhere a deflector

directs the light upward or perhaps

downward, givingthe effect of theatrical

usher lights.

Toe-Kick or riser lighting

placed nder the

toe kick area of cabinets or stairs. This can

also tae the form of usher lights.

floor lamps

Portable, free-standing units that provide light for tasks, often adjustable.

buffet lamps

Tall, slender non-adjustable lamps meant to illuminate buffet food or decor.

Recessed downlight

canisters set into the

ceiling cast pools of light downward

Surfacemounter downlight

ceiling mounted canisters that hang down

are used inplace o recessed downlights

where there is insufficient ceiling clearance,

or they are added later in a remodeling

situation

Strip lighting

often used for personal

grooming areas.

Adjustable track lighting

- flexible ceiling

mounted fixtures hold spotlights or

floodlights mounted anywhere and at any

position on a fixed track

Torcheres

are portable floor lamps with diffusers that direct the light onto the ceiling to

supplement ambient lighting. They may have dimmer controls

Desk lamps

portable small luminaires that adjust for exact placement for the task at hand.

Table lamps

non-adjustable portable luminaires that cast light upwards and downwards

for ambient lighting and task lighting, often placed on end or sofa tables and nightstands.

Art lamps

unique accessory luminaires, generally smaller than a table lamp.