Interior lighting - types of modern lighting

The modern lighting market offers a huge range of different models. When choosing lamps for the home, people first of all pay attention to its compliance with the interior of the room, colors, original and attractive appearance. Some people prefer products from a familiar, proven brand. For some, the cost and practicality of the product are important. And very often it happens that one of the most important factors in the design of a lamp is ignored. We're talking about light bulbs. The correct operation of the selected lamp or chandelier depends on these small elements. In addition, light actively influences the human eye’s perception of the world around us, the psychological climate in the house and internal balance.

Today, different types of lamps are manufactured, from traditional ones, with incandescent filaments, to complex designs with dimmers, drivers, cooling radiators and various gases. Few buyers think about the differences between different types of products. Why do some models cost a few rubles, while others reach 100-300 rubles? To make it easier to navigate when choosing lamps for your home, we will consider all types of lamps. Let's discuss their advantages and disadvantages, as well as optimal use cases. With this guide, choosing the ideal light sources for any need will not be difficult.

Features of modern lighting in the interior

Modern lighting in the interior can be of two types:

Natural. This includes the light that enters the room through the windows. This is daylight created by the sun or moon.
Artificial. These are all the light sources that are located inside the house. Their placement allows you to properly decorate the interior and make life more comfortable in the physical and psychological sense.

Undoubtedly, a natural light source is more preferable, but it is inconsistent. Sunlight contains vitamin D, which is beneficial for the bones of children and adults, antibiotics and disinfectants. There are even sanitary standards, according to which it is recommended to provide free access to sunlight into the room for 2 hours every day.

There is no doubt about the real role of natural light in the interior. But due to its inconsistency, it is impossible to provide lighting in the room only with the help of sunlight. That is why every house or apartment needs artificial appliances.

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Luminescent - energy saving

Fluorescent lamps have a good level of energy savings. Inside them there is a tube from which the flask is made, coated with phosphor powder. This provides a glow 5 times brighter than incandescent lamps at the same power.

Luminescent ones are not very environmentally friendly due to the coating of mercury and phosphor inside. Therefore, they require careful disposal through certain organizations and containers for receiving used light bulbs and batteries.

They are also subject to flicker. This is easy to check; just look at their glow on the display through your smartphone’s camera. It is for this reason that it is not advisable to place such light bulbs in residential areas where you are constantly present.

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Methods of lighting in the apartment

Thanks to modern technologies and the development of design trends, a wide variety of types of lighting in the interior are presented for arrangement. So, you can choose the following varieties:

Bright system - chandeliers, spots in sufficient quantity.
Subdued light for an evening or romantic setting - sconces, medium-power lamps, floor lamps, hidden lighting, small amounts of spots.
A system with an accent design for zoning or highlighting any interior item - directional light.
Festive system with decorative elements, LED strips, garlands.

It looks good to use not just one lamp, but an entire system. This way you can create all four types of modern lighting at the same time.

Note! Each device requires a separate switch. Modern design requires their maximum camouflage, and a large number of controls can disrupt the overall composition.

When carrying out renovations or construction, before decorating the interior, it is important to think through and place the wiring.

Flask shape

The next thing you need to pay attention to is the shape and size of the flask.

A flask with a threaded base may have:

pear shape
ball of different diameters
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or the shape of a candle for narrow chandelier shades and sconces

Pear-shaped ones are designated by the nomenclature - A55, A60; ball ones - with the letter G. The numbers correspond to the diameter. Candles are marked with the Latin letter - C.

A bulb with a pin base has the shape:

small capsule
or flat reflector

What types of light sources are there?

In a house or apartment, you can equip the main or additional type of artificial lighting in the interior. The main one is usually the brightest and is placed in the center of the room to create the necessary illumination. A chandelier is used for this. Additional types include local systems placed around the perimeter of the room or in specific locations.

To create a comfortable image, it is worth using both sources, since it is not always necessary to turn on the main system. For example, a floor lamp is enough to read a book or watch a movie.

Types of lamps

To furnish your home, you can choose the following types of interior lighting:

chandelier;
lamps with hanging mechanism;
systems with an overhead mechanism for general lighting;
spot lighting with overhead mechanism;
spots;
track lighting in the interior;
sconce;
floor lamp;
table lamps;
lighting for decoration or creating a festive atmosphere.

The choice of type should be based on the general appearance of the room and the needs of the residents. You should not chase fashion trends, as they are not always convenient.

Quality

Let's say you have decided on all the above points. How can you tell a high-quality light bulb from a low-quality one?

If the lamps are the same in power and size, do not have pulsation and are very similar in appearance, then its weight can be considered an indirect sign of quality.

Estimate the weight in your hands or compare the data on the packaging. The lamp whose weight is greater is potentially better. More weight is a sign of a more massive cooling radiator.

Better heat dissipation means longer service life. If the product is powerful, but at the same time “weightless,” then this is a clear sign of a short-lived product.

What to choose for the main lighting in the living room?

Interior lighting scenarios can be completely varied and depend on the features of the layout, interior and customer preferences. The types of lighting systems with their features are discussed in detail above. But some types of devices require more detailed analysis for proper use. Let's look at these types in more detail.

Chandelier

A chandelier is a type of hanging lighting system that minimizes the formation of shadows. Such equipment is the most effective and bright, therefore it is used in almost every home and room. The role of lighting in the interior is quite high, since it is with its help that most of the light is created.

The chandelier is located in the very center of the ceiling. The emphasis is placed on it as the most interesting accessory. Particular attention is paid to the chandelier when placing it in the living room. In this case, you should choose a sophisticated and aesthetic option that will emphasize the elegance of the interior. You can place a chandelier, for example, in the center of a sitting area or between a fireplace and a sofa.

A significant disadvantage of a chandelier is that it represents a central object around which furniture is installed. Therefore, not everything can be arranged the way you want.

The chandelier can be used in almost any interior. It looks most luxurious in a classic style with crystal elements, gilding and decorations. For modern styles, it is better to choose elongated horizontal or vertical minimalist options.

Spot lighting (spots)

Spot lighting is a small luminaire whose light is directed in a certain direction. Light spreads uniformly at any angle or radius.

Modern lighting in most cases in the interior is presented in the built-in type. They are called spots. Their peculiarity is that their use can be basic or accent. The second option is more common since you won't need to install too many lights.

The luminous flux is supplied with a small radius from 30 to 150 degrees. The choice of option depends on the purpose of the lamp. For example, for spot lighting of any interior item, 40-60 degrees is suitable.

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Wall lamps (sconces) – which ones and why?

Wall lamps are additional light sources that are installed on the wall. These devices are mounted overhead type.

The presentation of lighting in the interior allows us to highlight the following types of overhead sconces:

horn-shaped - the most common;
surface - used for narrow rooms or stairs;
linear lighting of a painting or photograph in the interior;
stationary - the light does not change, but is at a constant intensity;
with the ability to adjust the intensity of the light flux;
with a reflective effect – a soft light is created that is reflected when turned on;
with the light directed in any direction.

The choice of system depends on the location and interior features.

Note! It is recommended to choose a lamp with the ability to adjust the light output.

Useful tips

Before purchasing, you need to check the integrity and performance of the lamps.
The main recommendation when choosing LED products is to purchase devices in trusted stores from well-known manufacturers. Cheap Chinese light bulbs will not meet the stated characteristics. Light bulbs must be checked for integrity and absence of cracks, as well as for operability. In stores it is possible to install a light bulb for verification. The package must also include a warranty card.

LED chandelier bulbs from an unknown manufacturer may flicker. This negatively affects a person's emotional and physical health. If pulsations are noticeable in an expensive product from a well-known brand, you should go to the store and exchange the device for a new one. Flickering in this case is due to incorrect design of the electrical circuit, and this is considered a manufacturing defect.

Ripple can also be associated with voltage instability in the house. In this case, the phenomenon will be noted in all connected light bulbs that will be installed after the one being tested. The solution to the problem is to install stabilizers or replace the electrical wiring.

There is a problem of lack of load. In this case, it is impossible to control the lamp remotely. The probable cause is a breakdown in the power supply or the choice of the wrong one. It should be replaced with a new one.

Kitchen and dining group

Many people are interested in the question of what is the role and purpose of lighting in various rooms. The kitchen and dining room should also be equipped with a lighting system. This is necessary for comfort and aesthetic harmony.

If you plan to install lamps directly above the surface of the tabletop, then their height should be approximately 60 centimeters. This replacement of artificial lighting is very convenient, as it creates maximum comfort for cooking.

For small rooms it is worth using point systems, as chandeliers can overload the interior. Elegant lamps made of natural wood or metal are perfect for the kitchen.

What can you experiment with?

It’s not enough to understand the role and purpose of artificial lighting in the interior; it’s important to create a truly unique and interesting option. Everyone has long been tired of the usual images of the room, so it’s worth choosing something new.

The most unfortunate aspect of any lamp is the wire. Many home owners cannot decide how to hide it correctly so as not to spoil the interior. An excellent option is to use a textile cover or a thin LED strip that decorates the wire. Loft lighting fixtures in the interior will look great with open wiring.

How does LED lighting work and why is it so popular?

In LED lighting, the light source is an LED, a semiconductor device with an electron-hole junction that produces optical radiation when electric current passes through it in the forward direction. Different types of LEDs differ in brightness, power and other characteristics, but it is believed that using all of them is more profitable than classic Ilyich lamps. Let's compare:

an incandescent lamp in total can burn no more than 1000 hours;
LED up to 100,000 hours (11 years).

LED lamps are also valued for their high light output.

The luminous efficiency of an incandescent lamp is 7-17 lumens per watt;
LED lamp - 50-100 lumens per watt.

Bedroom lighting

A bedroom is a place where a person relaxes after a hard day at work. That is why lighting devices must have a system for regulating the light flux.

It is worth moving away from the chandelier, as it emits too much light, which can be annoying. It is worth choosing sconces, spots and other spotlights.

If you decide to choose a floor lamp, then its height should be around 1 meter from the floor.

When using several lamps, it is better to place them near the headboard. It is important that you can turn off the light while lying on the bed without any problems.

Characteristics

The main characteristics that distinguish diode lamps:

Power. This indicator varies from 3 to 50 W. For home use, 3-20 W is enough.
Voltage. There are two types of voltage - 12 or 220 V. In the case of 12 V, we are talking about low-voltage emitters connected to the mains via a power supply. The 220 V device contains a driver.
Colorful temperature. This parameter is measured in kelvins. The comfort of lighting perception and the quality of color reproduction depend on the temperature level. For example, a color temperature in the range of 2700-3000 K is considered the most natural. This temperature regime is suitable for lighting residential premises.
Luminous flux (lm). This parameter depends on the brightness of the light: the higher the brightness, the more powerful the radiation emitted.
Lighting angle.
Range of permissible temperatures in the external environment. LED light bulbs operate at air temperatures ranging from 40 degrees below zero to 40 degrees above zero.

Other parameters include the radiator configuration and the dimming function (regulating the lighting level).

The figure below shows the markings according to the shapes of the light bulbs.

The following figure shows how caps are classified.

The most reliable LED manufacturers are Philips (Netherlands), Gauss, Osram, ASD and Navigator (Russia). Good products contain only high-quality crystals. Although such lamps are more expensive, their price is justified by their higher consumer qualities.

Light in the nursery

Linear lighting does not bypass the children's room. This is not just a room, but a whole world in which a child plays games, sleeps and makes his fantasies come true. That is why lighting fixtures must match his tastes and age.

You should not install a system that is too complex, which will be difficult for your child to cope with. Choose standard simple switches at the baby's height level.

You should definitely install a floor lamp or sconce near the bed, as kids may be afraid of the dark, and the ability to quickly and easily turn on the light will calm them down.

Color rendering index

The third parameter describes how colors are perceived under artificial light, because light can distort them. This is important not only for the designer’s work with color, but also in order to accurately see the color of clothing and makeup in the mirror. For example, if you have lamps with distorted color rendering, then a blouse that was burgundy in the store will turn out to be red-scarlet at home, or blondes will have a greenish tint in their hair.

The color rendering index can be specified in two ways: Ra and CRI (color rendering index). The number in this case is a percentage: so, 100% is the sun, and lamps are now capable of a maximum of 95%. For correct color rendering, the optimal value is at least 80 Ra/CRI. Unfortunately, Chinese manufacturers may indicate this data incorrectly, so if you don’t want to make a mistake, it is better to use lamps from well-known brands. If this index is not on the packaging, this clearly indicates an unreliable manufacturer - you can buy a pig in a poke.

Shower and toilet

The role of lighting in the interior is especially evident in rooms where sunlight often does not reach. For lighting you should use spots, sconces or a small chandelier.

If there is a mirror in the room, then it can also be equipped with additional lighting sources. For example, you can use LED strip or spots with low power.

In addition to the mirror, you can use lighting for the rack, bathtub and other objects on which you would like to focus. White or light yellow lighting in the interior looks especially relevant; it adds elegance and luxury to natural materials such as stone, wood or metal.

Since the devices are placed in a room with a high level of humidity, it is important to take this factor into account. It is worth insulating the wires as much as possible and choosing moisture-resistant materials to avoid problems.

Life time

Each manufacturer indicates the service life on the packaging. However, even famous brands do not indicate periods of more than 25,000 hours of operation.

If on average a light bulb shines for 5-6 hours a day, then that’s already more than 10 years!

When the packaging states operating times of 30,000 or 50,000 hours, and the manufacturer’s warranty is only 12 months, then it’s clearly worth thinking about.

Where can I find lamps?

An important question is where to buy lamps that match the role and purpose of all lighting in the interior of the house. You can find a suitable option in various online stores.

carries out installation work of any complexity to arrange a lighting system for your home, apartment, office or any other premises. Here you can study the presentation of lighting in the interior with various types of devices.

Lamps are purchased from trusted manufacturers with whom we have been cooperating for a long time.

If you want to choose devices yourself, we recommend that you rely on the following selection features:

compliance with the style of the house;
functionality;
ease of use;
compliance with the owner’s needs, etc.

As a result, you should get truly ideal devices that will fully meet all your needs.

There are no problems with choice now, since there are a huge number of online stores and manufacturing companies that provide a wide selection of equipment for any style.