Lighting Layout is Important

Lighting layout isn't just about putting fixtures (lights) on your ceiling. The actual goal of lighting layout is to install light where it's needed.

Traditionally, most interiors utilized a rigid or perfect grid. This looked very organized and nice on the blue print drawings but didn't take into account how the space would be utilized. Don't create a ceiling coordinate and then, violate it by placing fixtures on it. Instead, the placement of fixtures should be based on how the environment was designed, how people will move through it, where the focal point is, and how people will act and behave in the environment.

The hierarchy of lighting begins with: "where will I see the different things?" Is it a retail store with products? Is it a piece of artwork hanging on a gallery wall? Is it a reception desk? Is it a kitchen island? Each form of lighting has a different purpose; to guide your eye to what is important is called accent lighting, to provide comfort for the entire environment is called ambient lighting, and to ensure the ability to perform a task is called task lighting.

When lighting is viewed as a design element, instead of simply a grid, then a space becomes intentional, the use of shadow becomes controlled versus random, the brightness of light becomes balanced versus over end, and the human eye is easily moved through the space because the use of light has guided the eye.

Comfort is the main focus for all legs of the lighting process. Lighting in a room should not be overly bright. Harsh glare, bright spots and too much light are issues to consider with a well laid out lighting installation.

Lighting is not about filling the ceiling. It is about shaping the experience.