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Home interior lighting can transform your house, regardless of its layout. When it comes to an open floor plan, it can be even more important. Let’s have a look at the use of LED lighting in your open plan home, as well as how to implement it.
Why Use LED Lighting for Open Plan Spaces?
From indoor wall lights to dazzling ceiling lights, LED bulbs are the superior choice. LED lighting is known for its energy efficiency, but that isn’t all it’s good for. Check out some of the biggest perks of LED lights below. LEDs are:
- ENERGY EFFICIENT. The reason LED lighting is considered so energy efficient is that it uses 80 percent less energy than traditional bulbs. Unlike halogen and incandescent bulbs, it doesn’t have to first generate heat to create light. Instead, it turns all of its energy directly into illumination.
- ECO-FRIENDLY. Due to its energy efficient nature, it puts less of a strain on natural resources. This makes it gentler on the environment and can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
- LONG LASTING. Since LEDs are more resourceful, they are also longer lasting. LED lights are capable of providing illumination for tens of thousands of hours without burning out. Compare that to the 1,000 or so hours of halogen and incandescent bulbs.
- COST EFFECTIVE. Since LED lights use less electricity, you can expect to see your electricity bill go down. Beyond that, a longer life means you won’t have to replace them nearly as often. This will save you on upfront costs besides.
- LED lights come in a number of colour temperatures for you to choose from. They are also available in a variety of lumen counts, allowing you to choose the brightness that best suits your needs.
With the many benefits LED bulbs offer, it’s easy to see why LED interior ceiling lighting and wall lighting is the superior choice for your home.
How to Create Lighting Zones in an Open Plan Living Space
While open plan homes offer a spacious, airy feel, they can also bring with it the challenge of zoning out the different spaces. Fortunately, you can use intentional open plan lighting design to help out in this regard. Check out our quick guide on how to light open plan living areas to define zones with lighting.
Begin with a Plan
All great modern interior lighting starts with a solid foundation. Before you begin, you should map out the area and decide what zones you want to make. Some of the most common zones include:
- dining zones
- living area zones
- work and study zones
- kitchen zones
Choose Different Fixtures
One way to separate the different zones is to prioritise different fixtures in each space. Doing so, you can create distinct visual boundaries.
In any area of the open plan space, installing LED strip lights can visually denote the boundaries of different areas. That said, you can use specific fixtures in each of the rooms to accomplish the same goal.
For example, hanging pendant lights over the dining table can establish it as a focal point. Putting the dining table front and center separates that room from the rest of the house.
In kitchens, you can opt for recessed ceiling lights. They make great task lighting for open plan spaces and can set the kitchen apart from any nearby rooms.
When it comes to the living room, LED wall lights for open plan layouts are best. You can place wall sconces around the room to give a soft, ambient glow. It designates the living room as a place for relaxation, creating a distinct zone.
Finally, work spaces can benefit from desk and table lamps. Having focused lighting in work areas designates it as a place to complete tasks, making it stand out from the other zones.
How to Layer Lighting in an Open Plan Living Area
Layered lighting in open plan homes can really help make the house feel well-rounded. Implementing layered LED lighting for open spaces goes a long way toward making each zone well-lit and balanced. Layered lighting consists of three elements: task, ambient and accent lighting.
Begin with ambient lighting to set the main foundation. Ambient lights provide the overall light in the space. Using it will ensure the room is evenly lit, avoiding any dark corners. Install ambient lighting through recessed LED downlights arranged in a grid. This will spread uniform lighting throughout.
Next, you can move onto task lights. Task lights provide focused illumination in task-heavy areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms. You can install under cabinet lighting in the kitchen or floor lamps in a living room to achieve this effect.
Finally, there is accent lighting. Accent light lets you highlight certain areas in the room, which can be effective for open floor plans. It is also good for creating mood lighting, so dimmable LED lighting is an especially good idea.
How to Enhance Ambiance With Ceiling and Wall Lights
Ceiling and interior wall light fixtures are the best way to enhance the mood and atmosphere of a room. Incorporating a mixture of them will create a nice ambiance in any space.
Ceiling Lights
Ceiling lights tend to serve as the ambient layer of light in a room. If you want to use them for ambiance, be sure you choose soft, warm and diffused lighting. Warm colour temperatures between 2700K and 3300K are ideal for that sort of result.
You have many options when it comes to ceiling lights for ambiance. These include:
- SEMI-FLUSH AND FLUSH MOUNTED LIGHTS. Ideal for rooms with low ceilings, this style of light provides even illumination without causing bulk.
- PENDANT LIGHTS AND CHANDELIERS. If you have a larger room, hanging lights can be a great choice. Use statement lights to create a focal point, and opt for dimmable bulbs to give off a nice atmosphere.
- RECESSED LIGHTS. Ideal for rooms of all sizes, these versatile lights are discreet and effective. They are especially good for modern interiors.
Wall Lights
Wall lights are both functional and stylish, providing an even spread of light throughout the room. They are especially good for creating ambiance. Wall lights to consider include:
- Simple wall sconces can move the light around the room, helping you avoid any unwanted shadows.
- PICTURE LIGHTS. If you want to highlight artwork, using picture lights is a great way to do this. They are designed to enhance an art display, making the space feel like a gallery.
- WALL WASHERS. Using wall washing lights can help you set a mood with warm, indirect lighting.
Why You Need to Maximize Natural Light in an Open Plan Space
Natural light can make any room feel larger and more spacious. This is especially true in open plan spaces. Without walls interrupting the flow of light, natural light moves more easily through the home, promoting a fluid sort of feeling that makes the rooms feel more connected.
Science has also shown that natural light can boost your mood and productivity. With regular exposure to natural light, you can help keep your circadian rhythm in check. This will ensure you get better sleep.
With better sleep and improved concentration, you may notice your productivity increases as well. Generally speaking, natural light can reduce eye strain and make work more comfortable.
Tips on Positioning Lights in Open Plan Areas
Lighting open plan homes is as much about the fixtures as it is about the placement. Below, find some lighting ideas for multifunctional spaces to help you light and zone the space.
Identify the important zones first. Figure out where you want to install the lights to delineate the different areas. Zones like living rooms, kitchen, work areas and dining rooms tend to be top priority here.
Layer the lights. Having a balance of lights on the ceilings and walls will provide an even glow around the room. By positioning ambient, task and accent lighting in the space, you can avoid unwanted shadows.
Avoid glares with proper positioning. Just like you want to avoid shadows, you want to avoid unsightly glares when looking at them as well. Position ceiling lights to ensure they aren’t placed too close to seating areas. Lights with adjustable angles and dimmable bulbs can ensure more comfortable illumination.
How to Use Lighting to Highlight Features in Open Plan Living Areas
Incorporating accent lighting into your open plan space can help give it more shape and zoning. Incorporating accent lighting is a simple and effective way to enhance your open plan home.
- PICTURE LIGHTS. Picture lights are designed to accent artwork. They shine light evenly on the painting or photo to avoid glares while sowing the colours and details in the piece.
- Track lights or adjustable spotlights can be used to highlight art, as well as any architectural features.
- WALL SCONCES. If you have an accent wall in your space, installing a wall washing sconce is a great choice. This will draw attention to the wall by spreading light evenly along it. If the wall is textured, such as with stone or brick, it will draw attention to those very textures.
- PENDANT LIGHTS. Pendant lights can be used to highlight statement pieces and furnishings. They work well over kitchen islands, dining tables and coffee tables.
- STRIP LIGHTS. Strip lights can be used from everything from lining shelves to outlining the borders of a room. These versatile lights can be placed just about anywhere, giving you more control than ever over your accent lighting.
Benefits of Smart Lighting in Open Plan Living
When you have a lot of lights in your open plan home, it can feel tedious turning them all on and off. Fortunately, smart lighting is there to help. Smart lighting provides a number of benefits, from energy efficiency to general convenience.
If energy efficient lighting solutions are one of your goals, smart lights are an excellent choice. With smart lighting, you can set the lights to turn on and off according to a set schedule, or the lighting levels in a room. This ensures that the lights only run when necessary, saving on energy.
The ability to set lights on an automatic schedule or control them with your voice makes them remarkably convenient. You stay in control of your lights without having to walk around the entire house to use them. Some smart systems even provide an app for you to control and adjust the lights through.
Advice on the Best LED Colour Temperatures to Use in an Open Plan Living Space
Colour temperature plays a big role in the overall look and feel of a room. Otherwise known as CCT, colour temperature refers to how warm or cool we perceive a light to be. It exists on a spectrum between 1,000 and 10,000 units Kelvin.
Lower ranges of light, such as the popular 2700K to 3300K range, give off warmer illumination. Lights with a higher rating, like 4000K to 6000K, offer cool light. Both lighting temperatures have their place, and ultimately, it comes down to preference.
Warmer lights create a cosy, inviting feeling that is great for rest, relaxation and simple tasks. Cool lights tend to be more invigorating and enlivening, which can make the room feel more modern. Just be sure that whatever colour temperature you choose, it is consistent throughout the room. Otherwise, you run the risk of visual clashing.
Conclusion
Lighting your open plan home can seem tricky at first, but it doesn’t have to be. In the article above, we offer tips to incorporate lights into your home to zone it out and ensure it is well lit.
LED Lighting Ideas for Open Plan Homes
Create ample ambient lighting with the Leon 8 Watt 250mm Wide Brushed Silver LED Wall Light. This light generates 800 lumens of 3000K warm white light, illuminating a broader area of space. It is fashioned out of durable aluminium with opal acrylic diffusers above and below, softening the light. Overall, it measures 250 millimeters in width, making it ideal for placement on any wall.
Show off textured walls and features with the LWA388 10 Watt Hexagonal Interior Up and Down LED Wall Light. This light features a modern hexagonal shape that adds its own decorative touch. It generates a total of 800 lumens of 3000K warm white light. The illumination shines back on the wall at a 30 degree beam angle, washing it in soft light. This IP20 rated light is fashioned out of durable aluminium and measures 220 millimeters by 104 millimeters in size.
Create an elegant statement while providing ample ambient light with the DPL391 13 Watt Dimmable Linear LED Pendant Light. This bar light features 13 LED bulbs nestled inside the golden bar in the center of the fixture. They generate a combined output of 1300 lumens of 3000K warm white light with a CRI of >80. This durable aluminium and steel fixture measures 1300 millimeters by 135 millimeters in size.
Shine plenty of light around your open plan space with the LBL115 10 Watt Black Surface Mounted 600mm Long LED Downlight Fitting. This linear light outputs 800 lumens of 3000K warm white illumination that spreads across a wide area of space. It comes in a sleek black finish and features an opal acrylic cover that diffuses the illumination. Overall, this surface mounted ceiling light measures 600 millimeters in length.
