Let's Talk About Lighting Design

Principles of home lighting design

When designing a smart home, light should be layered using:

• Ambience: A soft glow that highlights multiple layers of a home at once, creating an overall mood for a room
• Task: Designed to spotlight one task, such as food preparation or study
• Accent: Focusing on one feature in a room, complementing the overall ambience.

Homes should balance natural daylight and artificial sources. Sunlight is scientifically proven to boost mood and improve sleep, so we should use tech to enhance what we already have.

Acoustics play a role here, too. Just as we should avoid over-reflection and glare, we should also prevent sound reverberation by using soft, dense materials. This can reduce echo and make for more comfortable environments. We are seeing acoustic materials being incorporated into lighting design for offices and cinemas. This trend may continue in smart homes.

Healthy lighting and human-centric design

There is ample research into the physiological effects of light in the home. Natural light contains the whole spectrum, while artificial sources lack components such as:

• Infrared – can boost serotonin levels for mood regulation
• Ultraviolet – can increase production of Vitamin D as well as melatonin for sleep

In a typical living environment, lux levels are generally around 100 to 250, ideal for day-to-day living. However, natural sunlight comes in at 10 times this (1,000 lux), so we don’t see the health benefits with standard home devices. This is particularly pertinent if we’re using our homes for work or study.

For better productivity, lux levels should be higher (around 500+), showcasing the need for concentrated sources in task-based lighting.

Lighting technology and hybrid solutions

The benefits of natural light underscore the need for hybrid solutions when designing a home. Human-centric lighting comes into play here, using LED technology to adjust colours and intensity in line with natural sources.

It’s important to note that LEDs don’t use the full light spectrum, including infrared. While energy-efficient LEDs are now commonplace, they cannot replicate the full spectrum.

Halogen or incandescent lighting can replicate these, including Vitamin D-promoting ultraviolet. However, sustainability legislation is seeing these bulbs being phased out in favour of LEDs.

Solutions such as full-spectrum lighting can mimic colours visible to the human eye. A hybrid setup combines natural light with artificial sources. This maintains the smart home aesthetic while promoting health and wellbeing.

Acoustics and lighting: creating harmony

In the future, lighting will likely follow the path of hospitality and office settings. These designs acknowledge that light affects noise perception. For example, if a room has ambient mood lighting, the general perception of noise is calmer. Noise is more noticeable and distracting if there is heavy contrast or brightness.

Accent lighting can allay negative noise perception effects. A restaurant, for instance, may use individual light fixtures on tables lined with acoustic materials. This contributes to a more intimate, quiet setting. It also encourages conversation in a loud and busy environment.

For homes, we can combine acoustic-clad lighting with thoughtful zoning. In open plan areas, dedicated ‘zones’ with accent lighting create a calmer atmosphere.

Trends and the future of lighting technology

As research into natural light and wellbeing continues, tech trends will change. This may be at odds with ethics, for example, ultraviolet and its relation to Vitamin D production versus the dangers of over-exposure.

Trade shows including the CEDIA Expo and ISE have shone a light on new technologies, including:

• Human-centric lighting that aligns with our circadian rhythms
• Infrared therapies for mood regulation and muscle pain
• Wearable light devices to promote sleep and wellbeing.

In tandem, we may see more hybrid systems, such as combined acoustics and lighting or smart controls. These empower users to control artificial light and mimic nature, without excessive use of ultraviolet.

Practical tips for home lighting design

For general wellbeing, smart homes should be designed to maximise natural light exposure. This may include optimised room layouts or add-ons such as automated blinds.

We can supplement this with full-spectrum task lighting, allowing for maximum lux values concentrated on specific areas. Above all, lighting should be customisable. Clients should be able to adjust their colour temperatures throughout the day and regulate melatonin.

Beyond the home, we should also encourage clients to get outside. Ideally, they should spend between 10 and 30 minutes outdoors between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Here, they can stimulate Vitamin D and serotonin production without risking skin damage.