1. Introduction to light points
It’s clear that the positioning of lighting is crucial when designing a building, not only for aesthetic reasons but also for functionality. However, it would be better, first and foremost, to consider the home’s orientation and study how to position the rooms to maximize natural light, benefiting both environmental well-being and reducing energy consumption and costs. In this regard, you can explore this topic in more detail in the section dedicated to bioclimatic architecture, given that—as is well known—we often find ourselves designing within a pre-existing building envelope, built by third parties, positioned between other, equally pre-existing, lots. Therefore, we will continue to analyze the possibilities under ideal conditions, while recognizing that other factors influence each specific case.
2. The good orientation of a building
For the sake of completeness, the orientation of an ideal square building typically includes:
To the north are areas such as toilets, cloakrooms, entrances, pantries, garages, secondary studies, cellars, and boiler rooms, given the lack of sun and the cold winds in winter;
To the south are areas such as the living room, dining room, children’s play areas, terraces, winter gardens, and loggias, given the presence of sun in both summer and winter (possibly with canopies for shelter in the summer, when the sun is at its zenith);
To the west are areas such as the library, anterooms, hall, drying room, storage rooms, landings, and stairs, since it is the side most exposed to the elements and sunny in the afternoon;
To the east are areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, sunny relaxation areas, laundry and ironing rooms, ateliers, and studies, since they are sunny in the morning, pleasant in summer, but cold in winter.
3. The need for light points
Despite the good practices listed above, even when strictly adhered to, the need for lighting arises. The amount and type of light to be installed varies based on the individual’s needs and tastes, as does the aesthetic choice of the chandelier itself.
3.1 Types of light points
We can broadly consider three types of lighting:
- Diffused light: a type that aims to illuminate the entire room, an effect achieved with traditional ceiling lights, recessed and surface-mounted spotlights, or LED strips—a type suitable for living areas and bedrooms;
- Indirect light: a type that directly illuminates walls and partitions, which then reflect the light, creating movement in the space—a type suitable for passageways, corridors, and hallways;
- Targeted light: a type that involves the use of pendant lamps, spotlights, or table lamps, which illuminate a limited area of the room, such as the table settings in some restaurants; and at home, a type often used in the kitchen, on the countertop, or at the dining table.
3.2 The light points in the different rooms
For each room in the house, it’s important to consider not only the type of light, the type of lamp and its placement, but also the placement of the switches. Generally speaking, it’s convenient to enter a room with a switch just outside or just inside the threshold. However, if you have small lights positioned on bedside tables, at the sides of the sofa, or in relaxation areas, it’s best to make sure the switches are easily accessible to anyone sitting next to the bed, armchair, or sofa.
Analyzing the different environments in general:
- Bedrooms: diffused light, to illuminate the entire area, accompanied by specific lights such as small spotlights for evening reading, or even floor lamps;
- Bathrooms: Diffused lighting illuminates the entire area, complemented by recessed and surface-mounted spotlights or LED strips, limited to the mirror area, where it’s important to avoid creating distracting shadows and ensure a clear view. Here, it’s especially important to consider switches and sockets, ensuring they’re as convenient and practical as possible.
- Living rooms and other areas: depending on the size of the space, diffused lighting is possible, but especially when the space is quite large, it’s a good idea to consider spotlights—preferably adjustable ones—that allow you to customize the room’s lighting based on the subject, needs, and time of day.
- Kitchen: direct light, which is first and foremost functional;
- Relaxation areas: diffused lighting that lends itself to relaxation and that does not create annoying reflections from possible televisions and screens;
- Studies: diffused light, certainly accompanied by focused light, generally table lamps are used, adjustable according to specific needs.
4. In conclusion
Clearly, the concepts provided above are only a possible starting point, as a building’s lighting is influenced not only by structural factors such as its orientation and location on the lot, but also by the personal tastes of the owner or designer and, therefore, the specific style of the space.
These difficult-to-classify factors therefore determine the type of lighting chosen, whether soft or bold, and the light color, whether warm or cool, or even colored. Colored LEDs, so popular these days, should not be confused with these, as they serve not as actual lighting but rather as decoration. The style of the space also influences the lamp’s size, colors, and shapes. The building’s function is also an extremely influential factor; obviously, the approach will be different when dealing with private homes than when dealing with restaurants, commercial establishments, small studios, or even large companies.
It’s always good practice to keep in mind that the first type of light to consider, the most effective and best for the physical well-being of the individual who will live in the space in question, is natural light. Second, consider providing functional light when natural light—due to time of day and seasonality—is absent. Finally, don’t forget the purely aesthetic factor, which, the closer it matches the style of the context and the owner’s personal tastes, the more it will contribute to creating the ideal environment.