Light, whether it is natural or artificial, light is a crucial element to any Interior. Without this, there would almost be little need for varying colour palettes, calculated space planning or even a design at all, because without light, there is nothing to see.
There is an aspect in lighting design which should always be considered, because although lighting is important too much can make your space unwelcoming, and too little can make beautiful features go unnoticed. It may well be, that you haven’t ever really considered this element of your interiors in as much detail before, but there a few tips and tricks which could help go a long way.
Natural light, is likely the best type of light. Not only does this positively impact the mind, body and soul but allows the mood of a room to be set with little interference. An important aspect of our circadian rhythm, the biological chemical reaction humans have in response to light and darkness in order to wake or sleep, is dictated mainly by natural light. In the care environment, where residence may be unable to go outdoors or where their sensory disorders create confusion around the time of day it is, circadian lighting can be artificially installed, to emit the appropriate blue light for the morning-day and required red light for the evening-night. These different temperatures of light, are all part of the process the body requires to secrete the hormones needed to send us to sleep, and wake us up in the mornings.
Other aspects of lighting, which is more universally installed in interiors, can be categorised into general lighting, ambient lighting and task & accent to name a few. General lighting, which is likely to be understood without much explanation, is the overall foundation lighting, which creates the general glow around a room. Ambient lighting, is the next layer of lighting, such as wall lighting and backlit cabinets, which adds drama to a space, and creates an overall softer lighting for when the general lights are turned off. Task & accent lighting, differing in only the lumens they emit, are lights which help certain activities to take place, desk lamps, under unit LEDs in kitchens and in floor spot lights as an example.
When creating a scheme, in particular for those in Care environments, lighting the space adequately and ensuring the right balance of amount of light throughout is essential in ensuring the wellbeing of residence. Creating relaxing areas and spaces of calm where people feel confident and content, areas where delicate tasks such as knitting, puzzles and other activities can be carried out without much aid, and ensuring there are limited shadows around a space, to create a more open feeling to a room are all part of the increased wellbeing of residence.
