UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA ENUGU CAMPUS

FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

A PAPER ON:
THE PLACE OF LIGHTING IN INTERIOR DESIGN

ETOAMA MAXWELL C.

2015/200575

LECTURER: MR ONOH S.

MAY, 2019
 THE PLACE OF LIGHTING IN INTERIOR DESIGN
(NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING)
What is light?

Light is a form of electromagnetic energy, and visible light is part of that

electromagnetic spectrum. Light is transmitted in waves the same as radio, radar and
TV but of a particular size or wavelength.

Each color of light has its own wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.
When all the colors are combined we get a mixture recognized as white light. If this
light is shone through a glass prism then the white light is separated into the colors
of the spectrum. It is important to understand this when dealing with lighting as
different types of light give off different colors or combinations of colors. The
average midday sun appears to have all the colors in it while artificial light can only
approximate it.
LIGHTING

Lighting or illumination is the deliberate use of light to achieve a practical or

aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources like lamps
and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight. Daylighting
(using windows, skylights, or light shelves) is sometimes used as the main source of
light during daytime in buildings. This can save energy in place of using artificial
lighting, which represents a major component of energy consumption in buildings.
Proper lighting can enhance task performance, improve the appearance of an area,
or have positive psychological effects on occupants.

NATURAL LIGHTING

The Primary source of natural lighting is the sun. Taking advantage of natural
resources in the built environment brings numerous benefits, and natural light can
transform a space. Daylighting is the practice of bringing natural sunlight into our
spaces both to conserve energy by using less artificial lighting and to maximize
comfort within the interior. Daylighting can be an important component of
sustainable design, but its other benefits can be equally valuable.

BENEFITS OF NATURAL LIGHTING

 Healthier Environments

“Daylight triggers our circadian rhythms and contributes thereby to our health
and well-being” states Thomas Schielke. As interior designers and architects we
have a responsibility to provide healthy interiors for our occupants. There are
various ways to incorporate natural daylight to create the healthiest of environments
including proper facing windows, screens, shades, skylights, louvers and even the
diffusing of light. If done with thought and research, early in the design process,
daylighting can contribute to the improved health of a building’s users, creating a
comfortable and healthy atmosphere worth spending the day in.

 Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency has been growing in importance over the past decade and
continues to be a critical part of sustainability. Daylight-sensing controls can reduce
the energy used in buildings by up to 60 percent, according to the studies
‘Photoelectric Control: The Effectiveness of Techniques to Reduce Switching
Frequency’ (2001) and ‘Summertime Performance of an Automated Lighting and
Blinds Control System’ (2002). Interior designers and architects use information
about a project site and climate to determine the most energy-efficient placement
and orientation of windows, and solar panels or photovoltaic cells can reduce the
environmental impact even further by collecting sunlight and converting it into
energy.
TYPES OF LIGHTING CATEGORIES AND SOURCES

General Lighting

A general light, is a light that is an overall source. The general light hasn’t had its
light focused into a beam or set in a particular direction. The light shines in all
directions from its source without obstruction, glass and translucent shades are
included in this.

Directional Lighting

Directional light is light that is focused and forced to travel in a particular direction
either by a reflector or baffle. This may be a spotlight of any sort or a lamp with an
opaque shade (not translucent) so that the light goes in a particular direction.

Reflected Lighting

Reflected lighting is light that is bounced off another object usually a wall or a
ceiling, but it can be part of a fitting or bulb. It comes from a directional light
source usually but has the light diffused by the reflection.

Rather than a spotlight shining directly on an object the light is bounced off a wall
or ceiling to subtly and/or softly illuminate rather than the full intensity of
directional light.

IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTING

The lighting in a home changes the mood of a room just as it does the perceived
size of a room. Placement and type are important aspects of interior design, and
they work in conjunction with colour selections, room size, availability of natural
light and furniture selection. The elements that come together when the right
lighting is achieved transform a room into a seamless combination of functionality
and style.

Lighting is an important aspect of interior design as it enhances the aesthetic

appeal and creates the mood and ambiance of a living space. Lighting fixtures that
illuminate a room creates a safe and comfortable environment besides adding style
to the interior décor. Light is the main element that gives the room a special look
and transforms it into a seamless combination of functionality and style. Besides
playing a functional role it creates a visually dynamic space. Lighting can make or
break the ambiance of a room. Hence proper lighting is an important element of
decorating your homes.

Types of lighting to create beautiful interior designs:

There are a variety of ways in which lighting can be implemented in a room to
create beautiful interiors.

1. Ambient lighting can brighten and enhance the glow of the rooms. Lanterns and
wall sconces can render an ambient lighting effect. Using dimmer switches can
also alter the ambiance of the room to achieve the look and feel you desire.

2. Accent lighting highlights the architectural features of a home like the walls and
objects in the room. Halogen spotlights and table lamps create accent effect
lighting. Accent lighting can be implemented to project and show off a piece of art
or a photograph also.

3. Task lighting incorporated in interior design provides localized lighting in

special task areas. This is generally used in work spaces to aid you in performing
your daily tasks. Whereas aesthetic lighting is like a piece of decorative art and is
used purely to embellish the decor of your rooms. Hanging lights over the dining
tables can perfectly compliment the decor of your rooms. Recessed lighting is
preferred by most home owners as it provides good illumination without affecting
the interior décor of the room. Task lighting can be incorporated with accent
lighting to create simply beautiful interiors.

Importance of lighting in interior design:

Without proper lighting interior architecture cannot be experienced to the fullest.
Good lighting assures a warm, inviting and functional atmosphere in your home.
Hence selection of proper lighting is the key element in interior design as it
enhances everything in a room – from the furniture, flooring, fittings to the finishes
and textures. Creative use of lighting can in fact embellish your decorating project.
Implement different types of lighting to make your home a beautiful showcase.
The light fittings and lamps chosen to compliment the style and décor of the room
have a potential to give life to the space. Yes, selection of the right lighting can
help you achieve a perfect balance between style, comfort and practicality in
creating aesthetically beautiful yet functional interiors.

Colour Management
The use of lighting can add to or subtract from the overall colours of a room or
from only those surfaces the light is meant to enhance. Darker colours make a
room feel smaller and cramped, while light-coloured walls do the opposite. The
illusion of space is defined by light reflected off of the surfaces of the walls. Some
types of lighting help with this illusion by further illuminating the walls. In
addition, directional lighting, such as a track light, can soften the wall colours.
There is also recessed can lighting, which has a soft, downward glow that
illuminates the floors, not walls. This is opposed to lights hung from the centre of
the room, which provide ambient illumination, or wall lighting. In both cases, this
can affect how light or dark a coloured section can appear.
Directional Lighting
The lighting in a room either provides illumination for the entirety of the room, or
it highlights very specific elements. Track lighting is the perfect example of
positional lighting. Hung from the ceiling, the adjustable necks and lamps can be
pointed at specific elements, such as a wall painting, the vase of flowers on an
entryway table or the bar top or kitchen island. Consider mounting them on the
walls, also. Special picture and mirror frames also have built-in lighting to
highlight specific areas on a wall. Recessed lighting can be used in floors and
ceilings to create vertical beams of light as opposed to an overall glow from central
light fixtures hanging from a ceiling.

Functionality
One major role of lighting in the interior setting is functionality. Lighting needs to
serve a purpose, or it simply wastes electricity. Chandeliers are not only used in
large, open foyers, entryways and rooms because of their centrally themed
placement but also because they provide excellent illumination for the room. Wall
lights add length and size, visually, to an entryway hall, as well as light the way.
Consider the style of lighting you want to ensure you get the best directional or
luminescent type for the setting. Look into task-specific lighting for desks and
other work areas where functionality is more important than overall room
illumination.

Space
Both natural and man-made lighting help with the illusion of space. For a darker
room, find ways to bring in more full-spectrum natural light. If the room does not
have sufficient lighting, it will feel cramped. This is worsened by close-proximity
furniture arrangements, such as coffee table, end table, sofa, chair and love seat
combinations in a smaller setting. Corner lamps, wall sconces and centrally
hanging lights on the ceiling help brighten a room if natural lighting is not
available and help create a visually larger space. This applies to any setting —
home or office. Natural lighting is preferred above man-made lighting because it
shows off colours better and adds to the visual space of a room by bouncing off
reflective surfaces. Consider skylights or large windows if you want more natural
light, or use sheer drapes and curtains to allow the maximum amount of light from
your current windows

CONCLUSION:
Lighting is an important tool in interior designing and should never be overlooked.
The way in which you incorporate lighting into your home interiors define the
mood of the user of the space as it has a great impact on the perception. Employing
a good interior lighting designer can increase the brightness of a space and create
ideal mood sets. Yes, lighting helps in adding elegance, sophistication and style to
your home or office interiors.

References
Anderson, T. (2018, December 10). Importance of Lighting in Interior Design| Home Guides| SF gates.
Retrieved from SFGATE: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/importance-lighting-interior-design-
56751.html

Hess, R. (2017, july 31). Daylighting and Interior Design-design institute of san diego. Retrieved from
Design Institute of san diego: https://www.disd.edu/blog/daylighting-interior-design/

Sewarts, J. (2018, 4). types of lighting- interiordezine.com. Retrieved from interiordezine:

https://www.interiordezine.com/home-lighting/types-lighting/