Atmospheric lighting needs to be skilful. Image: Menu, table lamp "JWDA

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Learning from professionals: Lighting issues

12.9.2019

Translation: machine translated

Questions about the right lighting often arise in the Galaxus Community. The home experts from interior design studio "Moomii" provide answers.

To make it easier for you to choose your light source, interior designers Mona Dolpp and Michael Sollberger from Moomii answer the "FAQs" on lighting.

How do you decide where to install lamps
Moomii: The use of space is crucial. We need to know what should happen where in the room. Some lighting moods revitalise, others relax. We differentiate between ambient light for orientation and task and mood lighting. In general, you should use several sources in each room. Light is most pleasant for your eyes when you don't know where it's coming from.

Which light sources do you use most often?
Moomii: We only use LED light sources because they are long-lasting and energy-saving. They are available in warm and cool colour temperatures. At home, we recommend light sources with 2700 to 3000 Kelvin. At the desk, the light may be 4000 Kelvin cooler. It is important that it always reflects the true colours of the surroundings: A tomato should still be red under the light and not purple or greyish. The colour rendering index can be used to check this. This should be at least 80. The higher, the better.

A table and floor lamp such as «On the Edge» from Menu is suitable if you want to create ambience. Image: Menu

Is a dimmer useful? Where is it best used?
Moomii: Dimmers are a good idea for mood lighting, but be careful: not every LED light bulb can be dimmed. Unlike ambient and task lighting, dining and bedside lamps should also be adjustable. Depending on the time of day and season, you can conjure up the desired atmosphere.

What do you look out for when choosing light sources?Moomii: In addition to colour temperature and colour rendering index, the design of the lamp also plays a role. Is the light source visible? If so, it should not dazzle. A matt surface can be used for ambient lighting. More eye-catching are filament light sources: They set the scene for the light source itself.

Leave everything open: Filament light sources. Image: NUD Collection

Do you also use mobile lights
? Moomii: We rely on rechargeable battery-powered or solar lights, especially outdoors, because they are mobile and save energy. In addition, there is often a lack of electrical connections outside.

Are you in favour or against smart home solutions
Moomii: That's a matter of taste. As the name suggests, these solutions have to be intelligent and provide real benefits for the residents. The more sophisticated a system is, the more vulnerable it usually is. If intelligent lighting is desired, we advise keeping it simple.

Are there any do's and don'ts that you regularly notice?
Moomii: Many of our acquaintances don't know at what height pendant lights should hang above the dining table. If they are too high, the light source dazzles. If they hang too low, you will have a poor view of your neighbour. We recommend a distance of 65-75 cm between the lower edge of the pendant light and the tabletop. It is best to fix them provisionally and sit down for a while to try them out. This way, you can readjust it if necessary.

The best way to determine the distance between the table and the lamp is to sit down and try it out. Image: Le Klint, pendant light «Caché»

In addition, rooms are often illuminated too brightly and homogeneously, so that the depth effect and natural shadows are lost. This can be uncomfortable. For a balanced interplay of shadows, we prefer to use different luminaires with balanced luminous intensity or dimming functions.

If you have any further questions for Moomii, please feel free to ask them in the comments column below. For more updates on the topic of living, you can follow them by pressing the black button on their profile.

Varied light sources make it cosier than monotonous ambient lighting. Image: Le Klint, pendant light «Lamella», table and floor lamp «Swirl»

Header image: Atmospheric lighting needs to be skilful. Image: Menu, table lamp "JWDA

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Pia Seidel

Senior Editor

Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.ch

Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.

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