These should be arranged on the basis of a lighting concept in the living room defined by how much light is needed where and for what purpose. Living room lighting can be provided by surface-mounted ceiling luminaires, spots or other luminaires on wire and rod systems or power track or by several wall luminaires. Standard, table and side table luminaires provide task lighting at sofa and armchair, TV and hi-fi, sideboard and desk. Alternatively, task lighting can be provided by small suspended luminaires, or a single pendant luminaire over the coffee table. Another living room lighting pendant luminaire is required for the dining table, which may be in the living room or the dining room.
The dominant feature of a living room is usually the seating group. Here, all luminaires (of which there should be two, preferably three) ought to be dimmer-controlled so that the lighting level can be adjusted to suit the mood of the occasion. Where wall, table or standard luminaires are deployed as reading lights, mounting arms which can be rotated and swivelled in the living room and reflectors which can be repositioned enable the luminaires to be adjusted to meet individual requirements.
Writing, reading or handiwork – rooms in the home which are used for a variety of activities require more than just general lighting. The type of luminaires and illuminance needed to supplement it depends on the nature of the activity and the visual task performed. The smaller the details, the better the lighting required. Account must also be taken of the age of the persons performing the visual tasks. A 60-year-old requires twice as much illuminance as a 20-year-old for the same visual acuity.
For long periods of reading, balanced, finely tuned lighting is needed. To prevent premature fatigue, it must be neither monotonously bright nor too low.
Prime requirements for good visual performance are an adequate lighting level – in terms of both horizontal and vertical illuminance – and avoidance of disturbing glare. The higher the lighting level, the better the visual performance.
Excessive contrast between reading light and room lighting (ambient lighting) causes visual fatigue. It is therefore important to ensure adequate basic brightness.
Rotatable, swivel-mounted luminaires which can be dimmed to meet individual requirements are the solution of choice for reading lighting. Reading lights should have a wide beam spread, e.g. 38º – 60º tungsten-halogen reflector lamps.
Light for TV viewing
For TV viewing, all luminaires should be positioned so that no annoying reflections are cast onto the television screen. Luminaires near the screen which might cast reflections should be dimmed or switched off. For illuminating nearby wall areas, one option is to mount wall luminaires behind the television set. But these should not be the only source of lighting; supplementary luminaires should be provided in the room because marked differences in brightness between screen and surroundings place excessive strain on our eyes.
Accent lighting
Apart from serving a functional purpose, lighting also impacts on the atmosphere of a room. To achieve a homely lighting atmosphere, it is essential to ensure that illuminance is not always the same throughout the room, i.e. that not all the luminaires in the room are always on at the same time and that the lighting can be dimmed. Accent lighting, e.g. for pictures or display cabinets, provides visual relief.
Spots mounted on wire and rod systems or power track can easily by angled and directed; unlike fixed spots, they provide a flexible solution which enables pictures or sculptures to be repositioned and spotlighted again in their new location. Dedicated picture lights are available for illuminating pictures.
Display cabinet and shelving unit lighting sets attractive accents. Individual sections can be illuminated by ceiling-mounted spots or luminaires which are either recessed in the furniture or mounted on clamps. It is important to note, however, that recessed luminaires for mounting on a wooden substrate need to display the fire safe symbol. In the case of spots and clamp luminaires, care must be taken to observe the minimum permissible distance from the illuminated surface.
A wall or section of wall free of furniture - whether it is bare or hung with decorations - becomes an eye-catching feature when bathed in the light of downlights mounted on the wall in a row. Away from windows, accent lighting can also be provided by plant luminaires.
A particularly harmonious atmosphere is generated by the interaction of direct and indirect lighting. Indirect light reflected into the room by walls and ceiling is found visually agreeable. Ceiling floods (also uplights) are well suited to this task. As standard luminaires, they can normally be used singly; as wall luminaires, they should be used in multiples.
Today, there is a wide choice of luminaires designed to radiate most of their light upwards for indirect lighting and cast the rest of their light downwards for direct lighting. Another practical solution is the dual-purpose standard luminaire, in which a ceiling flood provides mostly indirect lighting for general illumination and a second luminaire beneath the flood provides direct lighting for reading at about the height of a person seated.
Important note! Indirect lighting alone can result in poor modelling and a monotonous atmosphere. For strenuous visual tasks, such as reading, writing or handiwork, direct lighting is always the better choice.
