Good ambient lighting

A centrally located ceiling light alone is unable to satisfy the requirements of variable living room lighting. However, we recommend that you install at least one luminaire which you can switch on for orientation purposes when entering the room, but we advise against classic opal luminaires with power ratings of more than 150 watts as they produce glare and negatively affect the atmosphere in the room. However, floor lamps, table lamps, wall lights and pendant lights are all suitable forms of lighting. We particularly recommend glare-free luminaires which illuminate the ceiling and create soft, uniform ambient lighting. Track systems which can be used to position numerous lights independently of the ceiling outlet present a flexible solution. This way, ambient lighting can be effectively combined with zone lighting.

In dining rooms, ambient lighting can be created by means of wall lights, floor lamps or table lamps. It is recommended to install at least one luminaire which you can switch on for orientation purposes when entering the room. In this case we also advise against the use of classic opal luminaires with power ratings of more than 150 watts as they produce glare. Instead, we recommend glare-free wall lights, floor lamps and table lamps which illuminate the ceiling and create soft, uniform ambient lighting. Some pendant lights which supply zone lighting for dining tables also provide general ambient lighting, making them the ideal solution for dining rooms.

Here, it is recommended to install at least one light which you can switch on for orientation purposes when entering the room. Classic ceiling lights, for instance, made of opal glass should only be equipped with illuminants with a maximum power of 60 watts since a higher power rating would only lead to the production of glare. However, the ambient lighting created with 60 watts is insufficient to properly illuminate wardrobes – zone lighting is required. If you, however, do not want to separately illuminate your wardrobe, you should choose a luminaire that creates sufficiently bright light but which is still glare-free. Ceiling lights, pendant lights, wall lights and floor lamps with a power rating of 100 watts or higher which direct their light towards the ceiling are ideal for this task as they create soft, uniform ambient lighting.

It is difficult to create soft, glare-free ambient lighting in studies by means of a centrally located ceiling light. However, it is recommended to install at least one luminaire which you can switch on for orientation purposes when entering the room. Floor lamps, wall lights and pendant lights which direct their light towards the ceiling are the ideal solution for this purpose since they create indirect, uniform ambient lighting. Illuminating the ceiling is also beneficial because this makes the walls in the room appear higher which makes the room look larger in general. Powerful illuminants which ensure the required ambient lighting are ideally suited for indirectly illuminating studies. Particularly good choices include fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps and bar-shaped halogen lamps with power ratings of at least 150 watts.

Hallways seem larger and more welcoming when the ambient lighting is directed at the walls and the ceiling. Wall lights are therefore ideally suited for this job. When using ceiling lights and pendant lights, always makes sure that these emit as much light as possible onto the walls and the ceiling. Track systems which can be used to position numerous lights independently of the ceiling outlet are a practical solution for hallways. Respective systems ensure an effective combination of ambient lighting and zone lighting.

As a pleasant contrast to the soft, low shadow zone lighting on the mirror, it is recommended to provide for direct ambient lighting in the bathroom. Usually, ambient lighting is diffuse and zone lighting is direct. When used to illuminate mirrors, however, this should be just the reverse. In this case, ceiling lights made of opal glass can be used to create ambient lighting in bathrooms as these rooms are usually so small that the luminaires are not within your field of vision and you are therefore not blinded. An essential requirement placed on suitable bathroom lighting is safety. It is guaranteed that lights designed in accordance with the European standard EN 60598 are protected against splashing water from all directions.

For kitchens, we recommend using zone lighting rather than ambient lighting. If a luminaire is positioned centrally within the room they can create annoying shadows on the work surfaces. If you want to create ambient lighting, you can use ceiling lights and pendant lights which emit soft, scattered light. In any case, a dimmer is recommended. A part of the zone lighting should be installed in a way which allows you to switch on a light for orientation purposes when you enter the room.

Here, it is also recommended to install a centrally positioned ceiling light that can be switched on for orientation purposes when entering the room. Alternatively, wall lights can be used to create an effective ambient lighting. In rooms of small children, it is advised against the use of table lamps and floor lamps since children are often playing and romping which increases the risk of such lights being destroyed. Furthermore, some illuminants cause a certain heat development – this means that there is a risk of burning. The light selected should provide a certain brightness to make sure that the little ones have a perfect view while playing. At the same time, the children's room lighting must not produce too much glare.

Ambient lighting in children´s room