Private interiors are an expression of individuality. Unlike public spaces, where strict adherence to standards and requirements such as illumination levels, brightness and contrasts is necessary, private interiors and exteriors do not fit into such strict frameworks. In residential spaces, lighting solutions and conditions vary due to the fact that each person has their own idea of comfort, beauty and functionality. People have different perceptions of light, which means that the requirements for lighting are different. The main task of the architect and lighting designer when designing private objects is to find the best solution that takes into account the client’s preferences and standards.

Interiors are perceived differently during the day and in the evening, because natural and artificial light differ during the day. Thanks to light, a person can distinguish shapes and materials, architecture in general and details of design solutions, shades and colors. With the help of lighting, comfortable, safe, attractive and flexible living spaces are created.

The lighting environment must meet the requirements of a modern person, which means that a number of specific criteria must be taken into account while designing lighting solutions.
Let’s look at each of them.

5 LIGHTING DESIGN CRITERIA

1. The primary and fundamental criteria are functional tasks and aesthetics. Light must first and foremost fulfill its main task – provide the necessary conditions for performing various functions when it’s dark. A person does not need extra light, it will tire and create discomfort. It is important to use lighting only where it is needed and, in the quantities, required.
At home, as in public spaces, it is important to keep safety in mind, which is also ensured by light. Safety is not only implied in interiors, but also in exteriors. Moving around the grounds of a private residence in the dark or in bright, eye-bulging light can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, as can handling a knife in the kitchen in semi-darkness or with blinding lights. A person should be comfortable resting, working, and moving through space. When all possible life scenarios and preferences are considered, he will enjoy his home.
Lighting, among other things, helps to manifest aesthetic value as well as bring design and architectural solutions and ideas to life.

2. Each lighting solution must be designed considering all the technical features of the lighting devices – it is necessary to correctly determine the power, color temperature, light angles, pulsation coefficient, the need to use RGB / RGBW / tunable white technologies, color rendering index, the use of lighting effects. It is also necessary to correctly calculate the number, placement of lighting devices, fastening elements, accessories, take into account the features of connection and installation. Lighting equipment must be certified, because this is directly related to safety and health.

3. Any private interior is a reflection of the personality of the person for whom it was created. Lighting solutions should correspond not only to the design solution, but also to the lifestyle, character of the person and his family members. With the help of modern technologies, you can create comfortable conditions for everyone.
The house becomes “smarter” when using sensors, dimmers. Also, in private interiors, it is convenient to control the environment through applications in mobile gadgets, without getting up from the couch. Technologies help transform living spaces to the desires and needs of a person – adjust the intensity of light, color shade, switch between zones and modes. Control can be carried out both through mobile applications and through panels, displays, or by voice. You can choose the most convenient option for changing the space – using automatic mode or manual control.

4. Nature never stands still, changes are constantly taking place around a person, and the lighting conditions change during the day. Dynamics is a natural process that helps a person navigate, evaluate, react, and experience emotions. The same is true for artificial lighting – just one scenario and a monotonous image of space will quickly become boring or will not be the best. Lighting scenarios help to solve this problem. A “smart home” system helps to organize a comfortable individual environment in apartments or country houses, which allows you to switch between programmed scenarios. Such scenarios as “receiving guests/celebration”, “cinema”, “romantic evening” are often used, as well as completely turning off electrical appliances while the owners are away from home. But you should not limit yourself to standard solutions. The variety and number of scenarios depend on the imagination or needs of users.

5. Light has a direct impact on humans. Almost all of the human body’s work is subject to circadian rhythms – cyclic fluctuations in the intensity of various biological processes associated with the change of day and night. The impact of light (intensity, spectrum of waves, time of exposure, dynamics of changes in light conditions) can affect well-being.
Experts from the Lighting Research Center recommend getting as much natural light as possible (morning light is believed to be the most beneficial to health), add task lighting (table lamps or floor lamps) in windowless workspaces, and imitating a sunset in the evening for healthy sleep and well-being. Also, at night it is better to use subdued lighting of warm colors and not to use gadgets (phone, tablet, TV, etc.) one or two hours before bedtime. Whenever possible, lighting designers try to create flexible lighting conditions that mimic the natural environment and match circadian rhythms to minimize negative effects on human health.

The task of today’s lighting designers is to maintain a balance between the functional tasks of lighting (human comfort) and the laws of nature.