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Important facts about lighting in your home

9 min Time to read

Glühbirne mit dem Wort

"Choosing the right light source and considering the quality characteristics are crucial for optimal lighting indoors and outdoors. In addition, quality characteristics are also important for the use of light in art and design as well as in medicine and technology."

s.luce Ring hanging lamps

What are the basics of light?



The basics of light are that it is an electromagnetic radiation that we can perceive with our eyes. It propagates at a certain speed of about 299,792,458 meters per second and consists of photons that transport energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. 

Light can have various properties, such as  

Color, brightness, color temperature and color rendering index   .


The color of the lighting depends on the frequency of the electromagnetic waves, while the brightness depends on the intensity of the light source. 

The color temperature describes the color of the light source on a scale of  

warm  tones (such as yellow or orange) up to cooler  tones (such as blue or white).


The brightness is set in Lumen (Im) and indicates how much a light source emits. Luminous intensity is measured in candela (cd) and indicates how much light is emitted in a particular direction.


Illustration of various ceiling lights

The beam angle of the lighting



The way in which light is distributed in a room is determined by the beam angle  is determined by the beam angle.


The beam angle describes the spread of the illumination from a light source  and can vary depending on the type of light source.


Direct light has a narrow beam angle and creates hard shadows, while indirect light has a wider beam angle and creates softer shadows.


The way in which light is distributed in a room is determined by the beam angle  is determined. The beam angle describes the spread of the lighting from a light source  and can vary depending on the type of light source.


Direct light has a narrow beam angle and creates hard shadows, while indirect light has a wider beam angle and creates softer shadows.


When choosing a light source, it is important to consider the color rendering index  (CRI) should be taken into account. The CRI describes how well a light source can reproduce the colors of an object and is rated on a scale of 0 - 100. A higher CRI number means a better  color rendering.

 

A wide  beam angle creates a diffuse  illumination and is well suited for general lighting  of rooms. A narrower  beam angle creates a spot  and is well suited for accent lighting  from objects  or areas  in the room.


Here we can read the article from s.luce Beam This is available as a recessed spotlight. Typical beam angles for lamps range from 15 to 120 degrees . LED lighting often offers a narrower beam angle than conventional lamps. incandescent lamps as they direct the light more targeted  and more efficient  radiation.


The quality features



Light has various quality characteristics that influence its effect on the environment and the people who perceive it. One important characteristic is the color temperature, which is defined in  Kelvin (K)  is specified. Another characteristic is the color rendering, which indicates how true-to-life colors are displayed.


The brightness of the light is measured in lumens (lm) and indicates how much power is emitted by the light source. In addition to these technical quality characteristics, there are also psychological factors that influence the perception of light, such as the type of light source, the type of control and the lighting dynamics. Choosing the right light is therefore of great importance for a pleasant and productive environment.


The color temperature of the lighting



The temperature of a light is measured in Kelvin (K) and indicates how "warm" or "cold" the light appears. For example, an incandescent lamp is referred to as "warm white" and has a color temperature of around 2700 K, while daylight is referred to as "cool white" and has a color temperature of around 6500 K.


Representation of light temperature in Kelvin

The color rendering index



This indicates how well a light source reproduces the colors of objects compared to natural light. A light source with a CRI of 100 would reproduce the colors of objects just as well as natural light. A light source with a CRI of 0 would not reproduce any colors. A CRI of 80 or higher is usually considered good and is recommended for most applications.


It is particularly important in applications where accurate color rendering is required, such as in photography, artwork lighting or the fashion industry. Inaccurate color rendering can lead to color falsification and false color perceptions.



Further quality features 



  • The glare Glare is the amount of visual impairment caused by light. It can be reduced by choosing the right light sources and positioning the lighting.
  • Light distribution : This indicates how the light intensity is distributed in the room and on the surface. Uniform light distribution can create pleasant lighting and reduce mixing.
  • The service life of the LED light  The service life indicates how long a light source can be used up to a certain level of brightness loss. LED lamps have a longer life than conventional light bulbs and can last up to 50,000 hours. LED lights save electricity costs and are more energy efficient compared to conventional light bulbs.

The different types of light



Direct light is an art of lighting in which the light is directed from the light source directly onto the illuminated surface. It produces clear and focused lighting that is often perceived as energizing and productive. A typical application of direct light is desk lighting. One table lamp with a directional light source produces a clear, concentrated beam of light that is ideal for working or reading.


A similar application of direct light is the  accent lighting   of works of art or decorative objects. Here the s.luce Book table lamp perfectly thanks to state-of-the-art LED technology and as a modern, innovative bookend for your bedside table. 

As direct light is often perceived as bright and intense, it is important to take glare into account. Glare can be caused by incorrect positioning of the light source or by light sources that are too bright.



One way to reduce the effect of the light is to use diffuse reflectors or lampshades to diffuse and soften the light. Although direct light produces clear and focused lighting, it can sometimes be perceived as too harsh or unnatural.


An example of this is direct sunlight , which is often perceived as too harsh or dazzling. In such cases, indirect lighting, where the light is reflected from the wall or ceiling, can create softer and more natural lighting.


Indirect light is an art of lighting in which the light is directed from the light source to ceilings    ,   walls or other surfaces before it relaxes and soothes the room. This is where s.luce the model Cloud or the model. A typical application of indirect light is the general lighting of rooms.


Indirect lighting creates uniform and soft lighting that diffusely illuminates the room. A similar application of indirect light is the backlighting of furniture or decorative objects. Here you could use the s.luce Cusa to bring your favorite decorations or photos into focus.


As indirect light is also often perceived as soft and relaxing, it is ideal for rooms where a calming atmosphere is to be created, such as living rooms    ,   bedrooms or wellness areas . However, it can be difficult to achieve sufficient brightness with indirect light, especially in rooms with high ceilings.


One way to improve the efficiency of indirect light is to use a luminaire, reflective surfaces to diffuse and reflect the light. For example, ceilings with a white or lighter color can reflect the light and spread it around the room. Another option is to combine indirect lighting with direct lighting to achieve balanced and versatile lighting.


The effects of light on humans



The effect of light is an important aspect in the design of lighting systems. Light can have various effects on the human body and the environment, including physiological, psychological and aesthetic effects.


  • Physiological effects of light can influence the sleep-wake rhythm, for example. Excessively bright or blue light in the evening hours can reduce melatonin levels and thus impair the body's ability to fall asleep. On the other hand, bright light in the morning can lower melatonin levels and make it easier to wake up.
  • Psychological effects of light can also be strong. For example, warm, subdued lighting in a living room  can create a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, while bright lighting in a office  can increase productivity and alertness. Light can also influence mood, as it is linked to the production of serotonin and dopamine in the brain.
  • Aesthetic effects of light can also be an important factor in the design of lighting systems  systems. Light sources can help to highlight and accentuate architecture and interiors. For example, the targeted lighting of works of art or architectural features can achieve a dramatic effect.

It is important to consider the effects of light when planning lighting systems to ensure that the light fulfills its intended purpose and creates pleasant and effective lighting. Appropriate positioning, alignment and intensity of light sources can help to achieve the desired effect of light. For this we offer you a individual lighting design to find the perfect lighting angles and lamps for your home.


s.luce Hive wall light
black hanging lamp

The course of daylight.



The daylight curve describes the changes in lighting conditions over the course of a day, from dawn to dusk. These changes are influenced by the movement of the sun in the sky and can vary depending on location and season.


  • As a rule, the course of daylight begins with the dawn when the sun begins to rise above the horizon. At this early stage of daylight, the light is often softer and more diffuse as it is scattered by the earth's atmosphere. In the course of the morning the sun rises higher in the sky and the light becomes brighter  and more direct .
  • In the lunch area the sunlight reaches its hThis is when the sunlight reaches its highest intensity and the shadows are shortest. The light is usually at its brightest and cooler than at other times of day.
  • On afternoon  the sunlight begins to decrease again, resulting in longer shadows and a softer, more diffuse light.
  • The dusk  is often associated with spectacular colors and a warmer color temperature.

The daylight curve plays an important role in lighting design, as it determines the well-being  and the productivity  of people. A balanced ratio of direct and indirect daylight can help to improve mood and increase concentration.


By taking the daylight curve into account, a lighting design can be developed that meets the needs and requirements of the users. Here we recommend lamps with an integrated daylight gradient, such as Kiteo Vibe HCL pendant lamp . With this lamp, you have direct and indirect light at the same time, can illuminate large rooms indoors and have many great settings.


Conclusion on the basics and quality features of light.



Overall, light plays an important role in our lives and influences our well-being, our health and our performance. It is therefore important to consider various factors when planning lighting, such as the purpose of the room, the time of day, the cost, the energy efficiency and the color rendering index.


By integrating daylight into lighting design, effective lighting can be created that meets the needs and requirements of users. Knowing the protection rating of light can help to ensure safe use in the indoor and outdoor area  and outdoor areas. Lighting technology is constantly evolving to offer energy efficient and environmentally friendly lighting options that also provide high quality and performance light


If you have not yet found the right lamp for your living area, then simply visit our lighting studio . We will be happy to advise you personally so that you can realize your "beautiful living concept" with light.


We are also happy to offer you the opportunity to design your lamp exactly according to your wishes - our in-house workshop makes it possible.


Golden hanging lamp
s.luce Ring floor lamp in the reading corner