Light is an integral part of our daily lives. It's hard to imagine carrying out everyday household tasks and working without proper lighting. While this may seem obvious, many people who have gone through the process of finishing their home or apartment have realized that selecting both lamps and the type of lighting can be quite a challenging task. If you want to learn more about choosing lighting for your home or apartment, you've come to the right place, as this article will guide you step by step through all the essential information that will make this task much easier for you.
Why is choosing lighting so important?
Choosing the right lighting is one of the most important stages of renovating and finishing your home for several reasons.
First of all, lighting affects the appearance and atmosphere of rooms. The right type of lighting can highlight and enhance the style of the interior and emphasize its qualities. For instance, if we want to create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere in the living room, it is worth choosing warm light that will create a pleasant aura in the room. Conversely, in the bathroom, where we need good visibility, it is advisable to choose white or neutral light.
Secondly, lighting also impacts the functionality and ergonomics of rooms. Depending on the purpose of a given room, it is worth selecting the appropriate type of lighting that will allow for comfortable use. For example, in the kitchen, it is advisable to use spot lighting that enables precise illumination of work areas, while in the bedroom, it is best to choose lighting that creates a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.
Thirdly, lighting can also affect the operating costs of the home. Therefore, it is worth choosing energy-efficient lighting that will help reduce electricity consumption and lower electricity bills.
Pendant lamp Terra
In summary, choosing the right lighting is an extremely important step in renovating and finishing a home. We should consider not only aesthetic values but also functionality and economy. Well-chosen lighting will allow us to enjoy a beautiful and cozy interior while reducing the operating costs of the home.
The impact of natural light on the human body
It is widely known that natural sunlight is the best source of light. However, not everyone realizes that sunlit rooms can significantly impact health and well-being. Below, you will find a bullet-point list of the benefits of spending time in a well-lit apartment or house.
- Regulating the circadian rhythm - Natural light is a key factor in regulating the human body's circadian rhythm. Regular exposure to natural light helps maintain the proper functioning of the body's internal biological clock, which affects sleep, wakefulness, appetite, and overall health.
- Improving well-being - Natural light is associated with enhancing well-being and mood. Exposure to sunlight triggers the release of endorphins, the hormones of happiness and wellness.
- Increased energy levels - Natural light is linked to increased energy and productivity. Exposure to natural light can help reduce fatigue and enhance mental and physical performance.
- Improved sleep quality - Natural light also affects sleep quality. Exposure to natural light during the day helps regulate the body's circadian rhythm, which in turn affects sleep quality at night.
- Stress reduction - Natural light is associated with lower levels of stress and anxiety. Exposure to natural light can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
In summary, natural light has many positive effects on the human body, including regulating circadian rhythms, improving well-being, increasing energy levels, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing stress. Therefore, it is worth ensuring regular exposure to natural light, both through regular outdoor activities and by providing appropriate lighting in indoor spaces.
Pendant lamp Siv
However, if you are not fortunate enough to spend enough time in the sun, make sure that your interior has appropriately selected lighting. Don't wait and find out how to do it now.
Light color (temperature)
It is well known that light color affects mood. Different light colors can evoke different emotions and moods. For example, warm, yellow light may be associated with a cozy, relaxing atmosphere, while cool, white light can feel more stimulating and energetic. Additionally, light color directly impacts sleep and its quality. Some studies suggest that blue light, such as that emitted by televisions, mobile phones, and computers, can disrupt sleep as it affects melatonin production, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep and circadian rhythms. An interesting observation is that light color has a real impact on spatial perception - different light colors can influence how we perceive space. For instance, warm, yellow light can make a room feel smaller, while cool, white light can seem to expand the space.
Considering the information above, it's worth taking a moment to think about matching the bulb color to the purpose for which the room will be used. Below, we have provided a brief overview to help you choose the light color that suits your individual needs and preferences.
Pendant lamp Cycnus
- <2200 K – purely decorative light. Comparable to the natural glow of fire.
- 2700 – 3000 K – corresponds to a traditional incandescent bulb. This color has relaxing effect and adds coziness to the interior.
- 4000 K – excellent color for offices and workspaces. It does not induce drowsiness. Natural light temperature.
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6000 – 11 000 K – decorative light. The closer to the extreme value, the more it shifts towards blue light.
Wattage of the bulb
As you may have noticed, we expressed the color of the lighting in Kelvin, but to properly select its power, you should also pay attention to the value expressed in lumens. Lumens are a unit of measurement for luminous flux, which is the amount of light emitted by a light source in the direction of the surroundings. Lumens determine the amount of light emitted by a source, regardless of the direction in which it is emitted. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light emitted by the source. Lumens are important when choosing lighting because they allow you to determine the brightness of a bulb, lamp, or other light source. Unlike luminous power (expressed in watts), which indicates the energy consumption of a light source, the number of lumens shows how much light is emitted by the source. It is worth noting that the number of lumens is not the only factor that affects light quality. In the case of lighting, the color temperature is equally important, as well as the angle of light dispersion, which determines how evenly it is distributed in the room. However, the number of lumens is one of the key parameters to consider when choosing the right light source for a given application.
The minimum number of lumens that a bulb rated on the packaging must provide is - in relation to the most popular values:
- 15 W – 136 lm
- 25 W – 249 lm
- 60 W – 806 lm
- 100 W – 1521 lm
Floor lamp Bloom
Which bulb to choose?
If you want to create an eco-friendly and, above all, cost-effective home, choose LED bulbs, which are characterized not only by energy efficiency, thanks to which They consume significantly less energy than traditional bulbs, which means lower electricity bills, but also a much longer lifespan. LED bulbs are much more durable than traditional bulbs. Unlike traditional bulbs, which often need to be replaced every few months, LED bulbs can last for many years without needing replacement. Another advantage of LED bulbs is their safety. LED bulbs do not heat up as much as traditional bulbs, making them safer to use. They also do not emit harmful substances, such as mercury, which is present in some traditional bulbs. One of the biggest benefits of LED bulbs is also the lack of flicker - this is particularly important for people suffering from chronic migraine pain, as well as for all epileptics.
Types of lamps
- Chandeliers - these are classic, suspended lamps that usually consist of one or many arms and shades, placed at different levels. Chandeliers are often used as main lighting in living rooms, dining rooms, or bedrooms.
Chandelier Cut 'N Paste
2. Table lamps - these are small lamps that are usually placed on a desk or bedside table. They can be used for task lighting or as additional lighting, for example, to create a pleasant atmosphere in the room.
Table lamp Golden Brother Bob
3. Floor lamps - these are tall, freestanding lamps that are usually placed in the corner of a room or near furniture. Floor lamps can be used as main lighting or as additional lighting.
Floor lamp Dicte
4. Wall lamps - these are lamps that are placed directly on the wall. Wall lamps are often used as decorative lighting or task lighting, for example, for reading.
Wall lamp Explore
5. Ceiling lamps - these are lamps mounted directly on the ceiling, often used as main lighting in rooms such as kitchens or bathrooms.
Ceiling lamp Eik
In addition to these popular types of lamps, there are many other, more sophisticated models that may be perfect for a specific room or design style. The choice of the right lighting primarily depends on individual preferences and user needs, as well as the character and function of the given room.
If you are looking for high-quality lighting that reflects the character of your interior, discover the Eye on Design collection available on our website.