Luminaire

The Lighting Guide

Many factors come into play when creating a lighting installation that is perfect for your home; that is why the Lustria team creates easy-to-consult guides.

Whether it concerns the colors of the light, the types of bulbs or the influence of lighting fixtures on your design style, we cover all these aspects.

The fundamentals of lighting to guide you

Types of lighting for your home

All the lighting in your home belongs to one of the following categories:

• General lighting.
• Direct lighting.
• Accent lighting.

General lighting refers to the main light in the room.

Also known asambient lighting, this type of lighting includes both light fixtures and natural light coming from skylights or windows.

Accent lighting illuminates a specific area of the room.

Think of a reading chair, a kitchen island, a dining table, or a beautiful work of art that you want to highlight. Theaccent lighting targets these areas and provides enough light to cover that feature without overpowering it.

Task lighting uses fixtures and lamps to illuminate a work area.

Think of a desk lamp for paperwork, a vanity light for makeup or a lamp above the sink for dishwashing. Sometimes, a lamp can belong to multiple categories.

The lamps for kitchen islands can be both supplemental lamps and task lamps, while track lights can provide general lighting or supplemental lighting. Add dimension and depth to a room by layering multiple types of lighting.

What color temperature works best for your home?

The bulb temperature is measured in Kelvin (K), and most households have bulbs with temperatures ranging from 2,000K to 6,500K.

While the scale ranges from 1,000K to 10,000K, neutral tones typically sit around 4,000K to 4,100K.

Temperatures below 4,000K have a warmer glow, and temperatures above 4,100K have a cooler glow.

Warm tones

• 2,000K warm candlelight (Very warm tones, similar to the golden glow of a candle).
• 2,700K soft and warm light (A gentle, comfortable warmth, but not as intense as candlelight). This is a popular choice due to its warmth and flattering color.

Cool/Bright White (Cool/Neutral)

• 3,500K bright white (Yellow-tinted for a brighter appearance).
• 4,100K neutral white (A pure white closer to neutral, without blue or yellow).

Daylight

• 4,500K daylight (A lively tone that leans cool, mimicking the look and brightness of daylight).
• 6,500K extra-bright daylight (Brighter than 4,500K; this temperature is dazzling with blue hues).

Although color temperature preferences are personal, we have a few recommendations to help you get started.

The soft and warm lights work especially well for bedrooms, living rooms, and family rooms—meaning places where you want to create a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere.

We recommend clear- white bulbsor neutral bulbs for areas where you need bright, clear light, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or toilets, where it is important to see details.

The daylight bulbs are generally reserved for work areas or spaces where extra bright light is useful, such as garages, basements, or vanities.

Lumens and Watts

The lumens measure brightness levels and are especially important for LED bulbs. The higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb.

Watts refer to the amount of power used by a bulb, which is important for fluorescent, incandescent, and halogen bulbs. The higher the wattage, the more energy the bulb consumes.

Bulb Types: Which Is Best?

Different types of bulbs have distinct lifespans and uses, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Find out whether the incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, or LED bulbs are suitable for your home.

Incandescent

This type of bulb is a popular choice because of its lovely warmth and low cost. The main disadvantage of incandescent bulbs is their inefficiency.

A large portion of wattage is converted into heat rather than light, and the average lifespan of an incandescent bulb is 1,000 hours, which is shorter than most other types of bulbs.

• Lifespan: 1,000 hours.
• Light temperature: 2,700K to 3,000K.
• Is dimming possible? Yes

Halogen

A different type of incandescent bulb with a similar lifespan. The halogen bulbs emit bright white color, closer to daylight than standard incandescent bulbs.

It is preferable to handle halogen bulbs with gloves rather than bare hands, as the oils from your skin can damage the glass, especially when the bulb is hot.

• Lifespan: 1,000 hours.
• Light temperature: 3,000K to 3,300K.
• Is dimming possible? Yes

Fluorescent bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL)

CFLs are 75% more energy-efficient than a standard incandescent bulb and last much longer. The fluorescent tubes are also available in a range of color temperatures from 2,700K to 6,500K.

However, fluorescent filaments contain trace amounts of mercury, so they must be kept intact and used bulbs must be recycled.

• Lifespan: 8,000+ hours.
• Light temperature: 2,700K to 6,500K.
• Is dimming possible? Generally no

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)

LEDs are by far the most energy-efficient and longest-lasting type of bulb. Most LEDs have a lifespan of at least 25,000 to 50,000 hours. Although they are more expensive, they pay for themselves thanks to their efficiency.

Some models even change color using remotes or applications. You can find more information on smart bulbs in the next section.

• Lifespan: 25,000+ hours.
• Light temperature: 2,000K to 6,500K.
• Is dimming possible? Yes, but with requirements

Smart bulbs

All smart bulbs are LED bulbs, but not all LED bulbs are smart bulbs. Install smart bulbs in your existing sockets to raise energy efficiency to a higher level.

Use a remote control or a smartphone application to control dimming, change the bulb color, or set up a schedule for your lights to save energy. Did you forget to turn off the kitchen light before going to bed?

No problem—turn off the lights from your phone. The initial cost of smart bulbs is higher, but the investment proves worthwhile in terms of convenience and lifespan.

• Lifespan: Variable.
• Light temperature: All.
• Is dimming possible? Yes

Rating for damp, wet, and dry locations

Bulbs and fixtures have safety ratings indicating the type of environment they are best suited for, based on your home layout and the climate.

Dry location rating

The dry bulbs can be used only indoors. Place these lamps in rooms without condensation or water, such as hallways, dining rooms, kitchens, living rooms, and closets.

Damp location rating

This type of bulb includes seals and additional materials to keep moisture away from electrical circuits, wiring, and filaments.

It is designed for places where steam, moisture, or extreme temperatures are present. Ideal for bathtubs, vanities, porches, cold rooms, and covered patios.

Wet location rating

Like moisture-rated bulbs, wet-rated bulbs go even further in terms of water-tightness and water protection.

This type of bulb is ideal for showers or exterior fixtures for landscape lighting, deck lights, wall sconces, or any other lighting that is directly exposed to water, rain, or snow.

Ceiling, wall, and more lighting

From large chandeliers to small lamps, we offer a wide variety of lighting options for your home. Combine different fixtures to create a brilliant design.

What are your options for flush mounts?

Chandeliers

A style centerpiece for centuries, chandeliers are more popular than ever. In addition to the timeless crystal chandelier, styles have evolved to include modern chandeliers, farmhouse, rustic, wood, beaded, rectangular, and even chandeliers with fans (charmingly referred to as ceiling fans).

Chandeliers are more common in entries, the dining rooms and living rooms, but with so many options, you can easily add a touch to any room.

Add one in the entryway to welcome your guests, add one in the bedroom for a touch of sophistication, and even above the bathtub for a luxurious feel.

What is the best part about chandeliers? They are as elaborate or as simple as you wish, with styles ranging from small and subtle to large and detailed.

Pendant lights

Pendant lights are hung from the ceiling like a pendant necklace around the neck. The light is the main focal point, attached to a cord or a rod to illuminate a specific area or room.

In general, a pendant light has only one light, but there are models with multiple lights, such as the FIRE model. Pendant lights are flexible in how they are used and placed—install one or add multiple fixtures in a room.

Use them in the kitchens, porches, dining rooms, bathrooms, family rooms, and bedrooms. When you add multiple pendant lights, as with a kitchen island, the general rule is to space each fixture 60 to 80 cm apart.

Just like chandeliers, pendant lights come in a variety of styles and sizes, from farmhouse lanterns to modern glass fixtures.

Recessed lights (Downlights)

The recessed lights are named for how they sit flush with the ceiling, making them ideal for low ceilings.

This style also includes semi-recessed mounts, which can be suspended a few centimeters below the ceiling but not as low as a pendant light or chandelier.

This is one of the most flexible types of fixtures, ideal for entries, porches, closets, basements, and bathrooms. Models range from subtle and elegant to ornate and eye-catching.

Downlights

Downlights are popular for low and vaulted ceilings because they provide an even amount of light. Use a single light or group multiple lights spaced three to six feet apart to provide an overall, uniform illumination throughout the room.

They work particularly well when paired with pendant lights or chandeliers, adding an extra layer of lighting without interfering with the style. The simple design of recessed lights makes them a popular choice for kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms.

Track lighting

Track lighting is a type offlexible lighting with multiple light heads, or pendant lights, mounted on a track to highlight specific elements in a room. Depending on the number of heads you use, it can serve as general lighting, task lighting, or accent lighting.

Tracks are available in straight or curved styles, with a selection of accessories available for corners, curves, or connecting multiple tracks. If you are looking for a way to personalize your home lighting, this style is an excellent choice.

Because the light heads are flexible, you can reposition and rearrange them to customize your room. The most common uses oftrack lighting include highlighting artwork, photos, or work spaces.

Light fixtures with fans

Solve two problems with one device by buying a ceiling fan light fixture. Fans help reduce energy costs by circulating air throughout the room, while also providing light when needed.

This is an excellent choice for bedrooms, family rooms, and patios. The larger the fan, the more air it moves to keep the room cool. These styles range from classic to modern, with multiple colors to match the aesthetics of your home.

What about wall sconces and chandeliers?

Bathroom vanity lights

The vanity lights are installed above the bathroom mirror or vanity cabinet. There are two different types of vanity lights: light bars that are mounted above the mirror, and sconces that are installed on each side of the mirror.

Choose light bars above the mirror that are either shorter or as wide as the vanity cabinet and installed approximately 190 cm up on the wall above the floor to provide the best lighting for your face.

Install the sconces at eye level if possible, between 150 and 180 cm from the floor. They make morning and evening routines easier, such as shaving, hair styling, brushing your teeth, using dental floss, applying makeup, removing makeup, or any other task where full, even lighting is important.

Wall sconces

Wall sconces are an ideal way to accentuate other lights in a room. They work well for bathroom vanities, but they also have other applications.

Wall sconces pair well with the reading corners, bedside tables, hallways, living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. They are striking on their own or when paired with artwork, photos, mirrors, fireplaces, or chandeliers.

They have the unusual ability to be both traditional and contemporary, making them design chameleons and a popular choice for your home.

LED mirrors

The LED mirrors integrate the energy efficiency of LEDs directly into the mirror itself. This ensures that the lighting is provided all around the mirror, giving you consistent, even light across the entire length of the mirror.

They give your room a high-end look and provide a larger reflective surface than smaller LED beauty mirrors. LEDs have a lifespan of several tens of thousands of hours, making them a solid option for your vanity area.

Lamps and lamp shades

While the fixtures you install are meant to last, lamps and lamp shades are easier to replace as your style and needs evolve.

Add a table lamp to complete an office, a reading corner, or a bedroom. Are you considering a new rug or a new color palette?

Simply change the lampshade and keep your preferred lamp base. Lamps come in every shape, size, finish, and style, from floor lamps to desk and table lamps.

Combine furniture and lamps to create a striking and functional décor. The options are endless.

Room-by-room lighting

Each room has a different purpose, and the lighting you choose affects the type of atmosphere you want to create.

Your kitchen has a different aesthetic than your bedroom, which is different from your bathroom. Discover below what works best for each room.

What to consider for kitchen lighting

Kitchens are generally brighter than any other room. They are the hub of conversation, cooking, food preparation, meals, food cleaning, and storage—of both food and utensils.

Because the kitchen serves so many purposes, there is a wide range ofkitchen lighting options. A good rule of thumb is to make the space as open and bright as possible, since shadows can darken the entire room.

For a crisp, clear look, layer different types of lighting. For general lighting—which is the main light in addition to windows—install recessed lights, flush or semi-flush mounts, or larger fixtures.

Then, for accent and task lighting, include island lights and lights above the dining table to highlight these features.

Place lamps under wall cabinets to chase away shadows and create a brighter countertop area. By layering the lights, you create a more welcoming atmosphere.

Bright lighting for your vanity area and bathroom

Most important for installing bathroom lights is to use fixtures designed for damp or wet areas. Check product descriptions when shopping to find the safety indicators.

Aside from that, bathroom fixtures are flexible when it comes to style and type. Recessed lights above showers and bathtubs are common and reliable choices for providing even lighting.

To add a stylistic touch, opt for pendant lights or chandeliers that hang above bathtubs, recessed freestanding styles, or freestanding ones.

Pair other types ofbathroom lighting above the tub with wall sconces, bedside lamps, or LED mirrors to complete the look of your bathroom.

Vanity cabinet lights are perfect if you have a narrow vanity cabinet or a small bathroom, while wall sconces work best in pairs to provide even lighting.

Beautiful bedroom lighting

While kitchens and bathrooms need an bright, even glow, bedrooms are synonymous with comfort and privacy. Bedroom lighting can be simple and warm or brilliantly decorative; each detail contributes to a sense of satisfaction.

For simplicity, add a flush mount as the main light fixture with a pair of bedside sconces or table lamps. For a more ornate look, add floor lamps, recessed lights or track lighting to illuminate the room and add converging points of light.

Attractive living room fixtures

The living room is an ideal place to layer general, accent, and task lighting. While the kitchen offers practical lighting for cooking and entertaining, living room lighting highlights your personality.

For a classic look, pair an illuminated ceiling fan or a recessed fixture with a few lamps. Add a large chandelier to make a statement, keep it more subtle with recessed lights, or combine both for a dazzling atmosphere.

Highlight artwork, photos, or your favorite chair with accent lighting, or create the ideal corner with supplemental lamps. While the bedroom is your retreat away from the world, the living room showcases your style and home for everyone to see.

Exceptional entryway and hallway lighting

Entryways are the first impression of the interior of your home, while hallways lead to other rooms. In these areas, eyes look for something to catch their attention.

A chandelier or hanging light fixture in an entryway creates a welcoming statement. For lower ceilings, choose recessed, semi-recessed, or flush-to-ceiling fixtures.

To create an art gallery effect, add wall sconces or track lighting to highlight photographs, posters, wall hangings, or interesting décor.

Outstanding outdoor lighting fixtures

As with bathroom lights, install only outdoor fixtures designed for wet environments. Indoor fixtures cannot withstand elements such as wind, dirt, water, ice, and snow.

The number of lighting fixtures you need outdoors depends on the size of your home, your garage, your deck, and your yard. Wall sconces, such as the sconces and chase-style lights, work well around garages or entry doors and are mounted just above eye level to illuminate visitors without blinding them.

The outdoor flush mounts are a good fit for porches and patios, while post lights can be installed anywhere in the yard (as long as you keep a distance of 30 cm from curbs and entrances).

Path lights highlight landscaping and walkways, and deck lighting lights up parties and gatherings.

Lighting that fits your interior décor style

With thousands of fixtures to choose from, it helps to narrow your options by selecting a design style. Which style is best for your home? Read on to find out.

Farmhouse fixture

The farmhouse lamps have rustic simplicity, relying on clean lines and bright light. Wood, iron, matte black, and antique white are all popular finishes.

The Farmhouse fixtures include chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces, recessed mounts, and ceiling fans.

Modern fixture

Modern fixtures focus on bold spaces with glossy finishes in chrome, glass, black, or metal. They celebrate clean lines, avoid extra ornamentation like crystal, and embrace the minimalism to stand out.

Modern fixtures are available as chandeliers, pendant lights, recessed mounts, wall sconces, track lights, and ceiling fans.

Transitional fixture

The transitional fixtures are flexible, borrowing design elements from other styles such as traditional and modern to create a unique look.

Because this design is characterized by a combination of styles, nearly all types of lighting fit this aesthetic. Discover transitional fixtures, including pendants, recessed mounts, chandeliers, and more.

Classic fixture

Classiclighting has timeless charm, highlighting traditional finishes such as satin nickel, polished brass, oiled bronze, and iron.

This style spotlights the additional small details that add character to a room, such as crystal, the candelabra bulbs and lamp shades. Browse classic chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces, recessed mounts, and more.

Cottage fixture

The cottage fixtures feature vintage finishes such as white, iron, and wood. The goal is to combine charm, a touch of vintage, and eclectic designs to create a comfortable aesthetic. Choose cottage chandeliers, pendant lights, wall sconces, and cottage lamps to create the perfect look.

Industrial fixture

Industrial lighting is bold, minimal, and utilitarian, and emphasizes simple lines and a clean, open feel. Most fixtures emphasize the shape and design of the bulbs without hiding them behind lampshades.

The Edison bulbs work exceptionally well in this style, and most finishes are black, white, brass, or chrome. Industrial chandeliers, pendants, recessed fixtures, lamps, and track lights are unique in their design.

Consult a lighting expert

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