ᐅ Lighting Design for a Single-Family Home with LED Recessed Spotlights – Number and Placement
Created on: 30 Jan 2022 22:58
S
SamantheusS
Samantheus30 Jan 2022 22:58Hello everyone,
I am currently working on the lighting plan for our single-family house construction project, as the ceiling order is coming up soon. The general floor plan planning thread was here: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundriss-planung-und-platzierung-efh-ca-200qm-auf-900qm-Grundstück.39104/
Attached are 3 images showing the planned lighting, which should hopefully be self-explanatory.
First, some general information: We prefer brighter lighting than some others might. I often find rooms too dark; I have never experienced a room as being too bright. Additionally, my wife strongly dislikes LED panels, LED strips, and anything along those lines. Smart home systems, motion sensors, etc., are not planned.
Our basic approach is that each room should have a "primary lighting" suited in brightness according to the room’s use:
Work areas (bathroom, kitchen, hallway, office, basement, garage): very bright
Living, dining, sleeping: "cozy"
Children’s rooms: somewhere in between
In addition, we plan a "secondary lighting" for a cozy atmosphere when less brightness is desired.
The number and positioning of the recessed LED downlights have been roughly discussed with our electrician.
Brief explanations of the more complex rooms:
Master Bathroom: Spots for primary lighting when bright light is needed. Mood lighting opposite the bathtub for relaxing in the tub or for quick nighttime bathroom visits without much light. Light outlet at the mirror for mirror illumination.
Children’s Bathroom: Same as master bathroom, but without mood lighting.
Bedroom: Bedside lamp/reading lamp at the bed, a small table lamp or floor lamp in the corner, and a cozy ceiling light. A few spots in front of the wardrobe to illuminate the closet well so clothes can be seen clearly when choosing and dressing.
Hallways: Ceiling spots for when very bright light is needed (e.g. dressing, carrying groceries, transporting items), table lamps on sideboards as continuous lighting in the evening when just passing through.
Upper Floor Hallway: The gap in the spots is because there is a loft pull-down staircase there.
Stairs: Small mini LEDs in the walls above every second or third step for accent lighting, which stays on in the evening. If bright light is needed, a wall light on each side. Alternatively, on the upper floor, a ceiling outlet above the landing for a long pendant light.
Living / Dining / Kitchen: 6 recessed spotlights are installed under the wall cabinets in the kitchen. Then 6 LED spots to illuminate the countertop and the stove (peninsula) well. At 3 ceiling outlets there is a bar, where 3 small pendant lights will be installed. Above the dining table, a large pendant light. In the corner between the fireplace wall and the dining table is a larger floor lamp. Opposite the fireplace wall, to the right of the sliding door, is a wall lamp, as well as to the left and right of the window in the right section (living area). The window is a seating window. Above the sofa is a wall-mounted reading lamp, and next to the sofa possibly a floor lamp with a shade and a small reading lamp so you can read well in the armchair too.
This summarizes our considerations so far. I am hoping for some creative feedback on the following points:
1. Does the number and arrangement of the LED spots in hallways and bathrooms seem appropriate to you?
2. I noticed that in hallways, LED spots are sometimes not centered but placed closer to one wall, casting stronger light on that wall. Does anyone have experience with this? Is it good or bad?
3. Would you omit the first row of LED spots in the bathrooms near the washbasin if a mirror with integrated lighting is planned, or would you still keep them?
4. Do you think the upper floor stairs could be well lit with a pendant light at the ceiling outlet and that wall lights could then be omitted?
5. Does the wardrobe lighting in the bedroom seem appropriate? Or is there a risk of too many shadows making the wardrobe not bright enough?
6. Does anything stand out in general? Any room with too much or too little lighting planned?
Thank you in advance for all feedback!
I am currently working on the lighting plan for our single-family house construction project, as the ceiling order is coming up soon. The general floor plan planning thread was here: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundriss-planung-und-platzierung-efh-ca-200qm-auf-900qm-Grundstück.39104/
Attached are 3 images showing the planned lighting, which should hopefully be self-explanatory.
First, some general information: We prefer brighter lighting than some others might. I often find rooms too dark; I have never experienced a room as being too bright. Additionally, my wife strongly dislikes LED panels, LED strips, and anything along those lines. Smart home systems, motion sensors, etc., are not planned.
Our basic approach is that each room should have a "primary lighting" suited in brightness according to the room’s use:
Work areas (bathroom, kitchen, hallway, office, basement, garage): very bright
Living, dining, sleeping: "cozy"
Children’s rooms: somewhere in between
In addition, we plan a "secondary lighting" for a cozy atmosphere when less brightness is desired.
The number and positioning of the recessed LED downlights have been roughly discussed with our electrician.
Brief explanations of the more complex rooms:
Master Bathroom: Spots for primary lighting when bright light is needed. Mood lighting opposite the bathtub for relaxing in the tub or for quick nighttime bathroom visits without much light. Light outlet at the mirror for mirror illumination.
Children’s Bathroom: Same as master bathroom, but without mood lighting.
Bedroom: Bedside lamp/reading lamp at the bed, a small table lamp or floor lamp in the corner, and a cozy ceiling light. A few spots in front of the wardrobe to illuminate the closet well so clothes can be seen clearly when choosing and dressing.
Hallways: Ceiling spots for when very bright light is needed (e.g. dressing, carrying groceries, transporting items), table lamps on sideboards as continuous lighting in the evening when just passing through.
Upper Floor Hallway: The gap in the spots is because there is a loft pull-down staircase there.
Stairs: Small mini LEDs in the walls above every second or third step for accent lighting, which stays on in the evening. If bright light is needed, a wall light on each side. Alternatively, on the upper floor, a ceiling outlet above the landing for a long pendant light.
Living / Dining / Kitchen: 6 recessed spotlights are installed under the wall cabinets in the kitchen. Then 6 LED spots to illuminate the countertop and the stove (peninsula) well. At 3 ceiling outlets there is a bar, where 3 small pendant lights will be installed. Above the dining table, a large pendant light. In the corner between the fireplace wall and the dining table is a larger floor lamp. Opposite the fireplace wall, to the right of the sliding door, is a wall lamp, as well as to the left and right of the window in the right section (living area). The window is a seating window. Above the sofa is a wall-mounted reading lamp, and next to the sofa possibly a floor lamp with a shade and a small reading lamp so you can read well in the armchair too.
This summarizes our considerations so far. I am hoping for some creative feedback on the following points:
1. Does the number and arrangement of the LED spots in hallways and bathrooms seem appropriate to you?
2. I noticed that in hallways, LED spots are sometimes not centered but placed closer to one wall, casting stronger light on that wall. Does anyone have experience with this? Is it good or bad?
3. Would you omit the first row of LED spots in the bathrooms near the washbasin if a mirror with integrated lighting is planned, or would you still keep them?
4. Do you think the upper floor stairs could be well lit with a pendant light at the ceiling outlet and that wall lights could then be omitted?
5. Does the wardrobe lighting in the bedroom seem appropriate? Or is there a risk of too many shadows making the wardrobe not bright enough?
6. Does anything stand out in general? Any room with too much or too little lighting planned?
Thank you in advance for all feedback!
Welcome to the forum,
And you are planning to drill holes in the ceilings for LED spotlights, which contradicts that.
Choose some nice light fixtures and plan the lighting for the various rooms and areas around them.
Samantheus schrieb:
Furthermore, my wife has a strong aversion to LED panels, LED strips, and anything along those lines.
And you are planning to drill holes in the ceilings for LED spotlights, which contradicts that.
Choose some nice light fixtures and plan the lighting for the various rooms and areas around them.
S
Samantheus31 Jan 2022 00:16Thank you very much!
No, that’s actually something quite different. Recessed ceiling spots usually convey a more traditional, classic look here, and they complement table lamps or floor lamps with large fabric shades quite well. In contrast, LED ceiling panels and LED strips tend to have a more modern, minimalist style, which probably wouldn’t suit our interior as well. Of course, that might be a subjective impression. We currently have halogen ceiling spots in the bathroom and hallway and find them very nice (apart from the energy consumption). In the kitchen, we don’t have any, and it always feels too dark there for us.
For the hallways, we are indeed considering skipping spots and just installing 3 ceiling outlets on the ground floor and 1–2 ceiling outlets upstairs.
Nida35a schrieb:
and you plan to punch holes in the ceilings with LED spots, that contradicts itself.
Just choose nice light fixtures and plan the lighting of the different rooms and areas around them.
No, that’s actually something quite different. Recessed ceiling spots usually convey a more traditional, classic look here, and they complement table lamps or floor lamps with large fabric shades quite well. In contrast, LED ceiling panels and LED strips tend to have a more modern, minimalist style, which probably wouldn’t suit our interior as well. Of course, that might be a subjective impression. We currently have halogen ceiling spots in the bathroom and hallway and find them very nice (apart from the energy consumption). In the kitchen, we don’t have any, and it always feels too dark there for us.
For the hallways, we are indeed considering skipping spots and just installing 3 ceiling outlets on the ground floor and 1–2 ceiling outlets upstairs.
S
Samantheus31 Jan 2022 00:42I created a ground floor and upper floor plan without hallway spotlights. This is how I envision the ceiling outlets in that case.
In the kitchen area, I’m concerned it might not be bright enough without casting some shadows.
In the bathroom, I find it challenging to find suitable fixtures with the required protection ratings (especially for use inside the shower). Mixing different types might also make the lighting look disjointed quickly….
In the kitchen area, I’m concerned it might not be bright enough without casting some shadows.
In the bathroom, I find it challenging to find suitable fixtures with the required protection ratings (especially for use inside the shower). Mixing different types might also make the lighting look disjointed quickly….
We only have ceiling outlets in hallways and bathrooms; the lights provide shadow-free illumination.
We use dimmable LED panels, 3000K (switchable to 4000/6000K, max 2000lm), which display pictures dimmed and act as night lights with motion sensors.
Almost all our fixtures have E14/E27 sockets, allowing the use of any bulb technology.
In the kitchen, we have spotlights that shine both upwards and downwards, also minimizing shadows.
We use dimmable LED panels, 3000K (switchable to 4000/6000K, max 2000lm), which display pictures dimmed and act as night lights with motion sensors.
Almost all our fixtures have E14/E27 sockets, allowing the use of any bulb technology.
In the kitchen, we have spotlights that shine both upwards and downwards, also minimizing shadows.
Samantheus schrieb:
strong aversion to LED panels, LED stripsIs that really about the LEDs? Without them, it would be difficult to impossible nowadays.
Samantheus schrieb:
1. Number and arrangement of LED downlights in hallways and bathrooms – do you think this works so far?Which fixtures have you planned for that? It mainly depends on beam angle and luminous flux as well as the desired brightness. With the currently planned number, you are probably aiming for the common 300–500 lm GU10 versions, right?
Samantheus schrieb:
2. I noticed that in hallways LED downlights are sometimes not centered but placed closer to one wall, thus illuminating that wall more strongly. Does anyone have experience with this? Good or bad?A bare illuminated wall doesn’t do much for me, but if there’s a nice picture or something similar on it, it can have a very different effect. Consider the lighting in relation to your planned furniture. Otherwise, for typical circulation areas, I would prefer a uniform, bright illumination.
Samantheus schrieb:
3. Would you omit the first row of LED downlights in the bathrooms in front of the vanity if you are planning a mirror with integrated lighting, or keep them anyway?Bathrooms are a special case, often with double-digit numbers of fixtures. If you are planning an illuminated mirror anyway, you can keep them as they are; otherwise, I would move them closer to the wall to avoid shadows.
Samantheus schrieb:
4. Do you think the staircase on the upper floor can be well lit with a pendant light at the ceiling outlet, allowing you to do without wall lights?As always: It depends on the fixture, which must emit light in several directions and therefore needs sufficient power. I would probably prefer having two outlets (one per flight). Wall lights usually serve a different purpose, so if you don’t want to use that function, you can skip them.
Samantheus schrieb:
5. Does the wardrobe lighting in the bedroom look appropriate to you? Or is there a risk that too many shadows will be cast and it won’t be bright enough inside the wardrobe?No, it’s too far away from the wardrobe, which causes shadows. However, you could also plan lighting on or inside the wardrobe itself to compensate for this.
Samantheus schrieb:
6. Anything noticeable in general? Any room over- or under-planned?As already mentioned here: Think about the sheer number of downlights. With "decent" (stronger, wider beam) fixtures, you can drastically reduce that number. Also, you should already consider how you want to group the different lights. Without programmable controls, this will likely lead to extensive switch clusters.
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