How to Design a Lighting Plan

You are doing a remodel and know that you want to add some lighting to the room, but your stumped. Where do I start is the most common question I get asked. There are some basic guidelines and factors that can help you determine where to start and how to proceed.

First let's take the room and it's needs. Different rooms require different lighting solutions. Rooms like bedrooms, living rooms, dens and basements can be properly illuminated with a simple general lighting plan. In rooms up to about 12' x 12', one ceiling light that can hold bulbs that combined equal about 120 watts is sufficient. For a better and more evenly disbursed light, 4 recessed lights about 40" off each corner works wonderfully.

A living room or den may be a rectangle as opposed to a square. A room that is 15' x 12' would be more evenly lit with 6 recessed cans. In these rooms lighting can be supplemented with wall sconces and or table or floor lamps.

Kitchens and bathrooms require much more thought. In these rooms, where tasks are performed, it is important that the lighting level be high enough to perform these tasks safely and comfortably. In a good kitchen lighting plan all the work areas will be well lit. Placing the cans so that the centers line up directly above the outside edge of the cabinets is the best solution. This provides ample light and avoids shadows while working at the counters. Spacing in a kitchen is also very important. Keeping the recessed lights about 4 feet apart and no more than 5 feet, will assure you have even spread of light.

If you run into a wall and need to ask questions about lighting try a Lighting Forum. There are some basic lighting principles that can help you along in this process. One is understanding that light in most fixtures has some type of pattern. For example a recessed light using a reflector type bulb distributes a pattern in the shape of a cone. When this pattern reaches the floor it is in the form of a circle. By slightly overlapping this circle of light it is possible to have a very even distribution of light throughout the room.

Since most of the members of a household walk upright and the ones who don't, probably won't lodge any complaints about lighting, a general rule in lighting a room is to design the plan on a work plane. This is an imaginary plane at about 30" off the floor. This helps to provide a nice even lighting for most tasks in any room. This is where understanding the pattern of light your fixture has is important. Most manufacturers have specs to show what these patterns are. For reflective bulbs you can get this info from the bulb manufacturer.

(c) Copyright 2005 Paul Forte. All rights reserved.

Paul forte has been in the lighting industry for over 25 years. For more info and tips on lighting and other electrical needs please visit Lighting Tips For help with Laying out recessed lighting

---

Motion Detector Technology

Motion detectors are in use all around us in both residential and commercial locations. There are many common uses for motion detectors that most people find convenient... Read More

Do You Know How To Use Window Coverings?

Window coverings serve an important role in your home, giving you privacy and also protecting your furniture and décor from the harshness of prolonged, direct sunlight. But... Read More

Hidden Causes of Water Damage in the Home

In addition to causing destruction, water damage also has an adverse affect to the indoor air quality of your home. Damage from water can cause wood rot,... Read More

Do You Have a Master Bedroom? You Shouldnt! Tips for Remodeling Your Bedroom

The word "master" is an antiquated term that suggests control, domination, and inequality, and in today's cooperative partner and/or single parent household, the label "master suite" has... Read More

Would You Steel Your Household Appliances

Would you steel your appliances? That is a question many consumers are now asking themselves.The "in" style -----------------------Stainless steel household appliances are the "in" style right now.... Read More

The Benefits of Closet Dehumidifiers

If your clothes are getting moist and musty, and stretched out or otherwise deformed as a result, the closet or cabinet they're hanging in is too humid.Most... Read More

Brighten Up Your Patio With Sun Catchers

Sun catchers add sparkle and beauty to any room in your home. Far beyond the paint-n-bake sun catchers of childhood, sun catchers come in a huge variety... Read More

Change The Style Of Your Interior With A Minimum Of Costs

The style of your interior depends for a great part on the decoration on the walls. Using the right picture on the right place can make your... Read More

Add Sizzle to Your Surroundings

Is your home décor lacking that extra something that spells the difference between comfortable and vibrant or between comfortable and tranquil? Candles might be just the polish... Read More

Metal Carports: Steel Carport Guide

Buying a carport to protect your investment can be a very frustrating task. With hundreds of manufacturers claiming to have the best product, how do you know... Read More

Measure Your Window for Verticals and Horizontal blinds, Wood blinds, Faux Wood Plantation Shutters

Here are five important things to remember.1. Use a steel measuring tape2. Measure to the nearest eighth of an inch - don't round your measurments.3. On your... Read More

Log Homes - Is a Log Home In Your Future?

Many people dream about a log home in their future but never get around to making their dream come true. Here's how to get past the hurdles... Read More

Complete Home Rehab In 10 Days

This report is about taking a house and restoring it to an aesthetically pleasing dwelling that has reclaimed it's functional utility. In effect, it is the anti-aging... Read More

When Is It Time To Call The Professional?

For most Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home project managers, the most difficult decision is to know when to give the professionals a call to come complete a task and... Read More

Bring Out the Comforters for Back to School

If the weather is turning chilly it must time for the kids to go back to school. Bring out the comforters, flannel bed linens, quilts and stadium... Read More

Hardwood Floor Care Will Keep Your Hardwood Looking Fantastic

Hardwood is still the homeowner's favorite choice of flooring and caring for it takes minimal effort. Unlike laminate or engineered wood, hardwood can be refinished many times,... Read More

Tips For Breaking Away From White Wall Paint

Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to change a room. But choosing the right paint colors for your home can seem like an... Read More

How To Buy A Conservatory In The UK

The first question is, what is a conservatory?There is no standard definition of what constitutes a conservatory (apart from "greenhouse"). This is one reason why quotes vary... Read More

Choosing A New Floor

Is it time to give that tired kitchen floor a face lift? Are you looking for just the right finishing touch for your new living room? The... Read More

Garage Doors

You may think choosing garage doors is straight forward, however there are many things to consider, such as whether your garage is adjoining your property, is it... Read More

Pool Decks ? Add Ambiance to Your Above Ground Pool

Above ground pools are beloved by many and have gained in popularity over the years. Pool decks could be one reason why this is the case. You... Read More

Used But Not Used Up

Some DIY Maintence will put Used tools back in Main Stream Operation:Professional grade tools are made to withstand long hours of use and abuse. Many home shops... Read More

Candle Making 101

If you'd like to try your hand at candle making, set aside two hours one day next weekend, and start with an easy project, using your old... Read More

Reuse Works for the Workshop

The workshop is a great place for reusing items formally destined for the landfill. Even if you do not have a shop or craft area you can... Read More

Vinyl Replacement Window Terminology

With so many homeowners in the market for more energy efficient windows and doors for their home, I thought I would use this week's article to cover... Read More

Flooring: Installing Ceramic Tile

Ceramic Tile brings a texture, richness and color to a room that Linoleum has yet to truly mimic. Tile floors can be installed in any room, however... Read More