Interior Design Tutorial: How To Light A Space

Basic notions to define and complete spaces through lighting, with Nook Architects

In an interior design project, artificial lighting is one of the most important elements: a well chosen light will elevate the characteristics of the space while poor lighting can undermine the rest of the work.

In the following video tutorial, Nook Architects (@nookarchitects), an architecture and interior design studio, explains how to best illuminate a public or private environment. Learn more below:

Cold or warm light?

The basis of lighting design is often clear: cold light works best in large industrial or commercial spaces, and warm light in smaller places or more intimate, secluded corners.

Thus, traditionally, kitchens rely on cold light to suggest clean space, while living rooms or bedrooms suit warm lights. But interior design trends of recent decades, that often combine living room and kitchen, for example, have meant that culinary work spaces can also be frequently illuminated with hanging lamps and warmer than the classic fluorescent ones.

Suspended lights and LEDs

In rooms like living rooms or bedrooms, suspended lights (hanging lamps from the ceiling) can work with hidden warm LED lights to generate more interesting volumes. Warm, in this case, means between 2700 and 3000K.

Also adding to the previous point, you can combine cold suspended lights, for example, with warmer LEDs. This way, you will play with contrast and create a more interesting atmospheres.

The importance of switches

If you have many light sources in the room, it can be helpful to connect each of the light types with a switch or group of switches. In this way, you can modulate the ambience much better. Another great ally is the dimmer, or potentiometer, which allows you to regulate the intensity of light in a room directly from the device itself.

Did you like these tips? Learn more from Nook Architects about how to redesign a space from the first step to the final one on their online course Interior Design from Start to Finish.

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