Interior Lighting Design
There are three basic types of lighting that can be work to improve a certain store; the general/ambient lighting, task lighting, and the accent lighting. An excellent lighting plan can maximize the use of these three lighting types to illuminate your store depending on function and style. Accent and task lighting are more specific on its purpose while general/ambient lighting provides the overall illumination of a store.
 |  |  |
Lighting is a very important aspect of your stores or interior design. However, its proper utilization and placement can often be overlooked. For example, having a bad case of lighting in an impressive room downplays the beauty of the interior.
What is Ambient lighting?
Ambient lighting, or general lighting, serves as a primary source of light for a certain room. This is the foundation of all the lighting in a room. In addition, the ambient lighting improves the sense of warmth and depth of a room or space.
Ambient lighting provides a comfortable level of illumination without too much glare. This allows customers or anyone to navigate the entire room safely. Every room is essential to have a central source of lighting in order to achieve an excellent lighting plan. A perfect source needs a strategy in choosing which light to use and in what area or part of the room to place it. Things to consider when choosing a perfect light source are the brightness (e.g 20,000 Lumen), Kelvin (e.g 3000K), and energy used (e.g 5W).
Ambient lighting can be used together with basic lighting fixtures such as track lights, recessed lights, wall or ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures. With various interior lighting design, there are many ways to achieve a balance in ambient lighting and this often depends on what type of room you are using it for. For example, ambient light can be served as a primary source of task lighting in a laundry room.
How to choose the correct Ambient lighting?
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the ambient lighting for every room to achieve the best result:
1. Choosing the lighting location
When choosing the location for your installation, the first thing you need to do is to evaluate those areas or rooms that need more light when it is dark. These spaces include pathways, fireplaces, coffee tables, bookshelves, warehouses, and seating areas.
Lighting balance is very important when choosing the location for ambient lighting. Lighting just one corner of a large room or warehouse will make it unbalanced. However, trying to illuminate every corner of the room can make it overwhelmingly bright instead, which is probably not the kind of atmosphere you are trying to achieve.
From the illustration above, some contractor might choose the lighting location by distributing the lamps evenly across the warehouse during installation. This makes the job of the contractor easier and faster. However, this might lead to inconsistent lighting due to blockage of lights by the high shelves. It reduces the visibility when shadow are casted.
2. Choosing the lighting types
The next thing to consider is choosing the lighting type that is ideal for your needs. The size and amount of light a fixture can provide are also something you have to consider. In addition, it is important to choose the right type of lamp that is focused and powerful enough to deliver the lights straight to the desired objects.
From the illustration above, low indoor visibility is generally caused by the bad lighting design and lack of planning. Warehouse lightings are usually installed on a high ceiling, which required the right type of lamps that is focused and powerful enough in order to deliver the lights straight to the subjects.
3. Choosing the lighting intensity
Choosing the bulb wattage when installing the light should not be overlooked. This is always depending on the function of your lighting fixture. If fixture aims to serve as the main source of light such as a reading chair, you might need a higher bulb wattage. However, using LED lamps can save energy while producing the same amount of light (lumen).
Choosing the right colour temperature when installing the light should not be overlooked. You can choose different colour temperature to create different effects for your room. For example, choosing a yellow light can appear warmer and blue light can appear cooler.
Therefore, creating the right ambient lighting can be very technical and complex as there are many variables to consider in order to make an excellent plan. However, when achieved, it surely can improve the dull appearance of a room and make it more impressive by giving a little personality.
