DE-MYSTIFYING LIGHTING
Common issues for designing lighting schemes explained
Lighting plays a vital role both inside and outside our homes , setting the ambience and affecting the overall feel of a space . It ’ s imperative therefore that any lighting decisions are taken with consideration and care to ensure optimum performance . Here , Piero De Marchis , Director of Detail Lighting , talks through common issues when it comes to designing lighting schemes , de-mystifying problems and questions homeowners and designers often have .
Why use lights in the floor and where do you position them ?
“ In-ground lighting is used to light a feature , for instance a textured wall , or perhaps a piece of art of sculpture . It can also be used theatrically , to frame an entrance or window bay for example . In these scenarios the in-ground lights should be positioned 50mm – 150mm from the wall depending on the product size and the ceiling height .”
“ Alternatively , floor lighting can be used for orientation purposes – indicating steps and changes of floor surface are the most common uses in the home , for example on steps . For this purpose , the floor lights should be kept to the edge as much as possible and be low brightness to reduce glare .”
How to light stairs
“ Stair lights should be positioned 200mm – 300mm above the tread , and avoid mounting in the skirting . If you are working with a contemporary ‘ floating ’ staircase , then carefully routed LED linear lighting positioned under the treads can be installed , either on a string or perhaps as a handrail detail as an alternative option .”
“ In any scenario , you should be guided by the style of the stairs and your personal thoughts about glare . Lighting every second or third step is a traditional
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