Living spaces are unique and individual environments designed for the individual and family members. In contrast to public spaces, where norms and requirements are crucial factors determining the levels of illumination, brightness, and contrasts, private interiors and exteriors cannot be confined within rigid frameworks. In each case, the lighting solution will be individual, since each person has his own idea of comfort, different understanding of functional tasks, optimal light environment, and, of course, beauty. Therefore, the main task for the architect and lighting designer is to find the right solution, which harmoniously combines all the preferences of the Customer and the norms.

The way a private interior appears and is perceived during daylight differs from its appearance in darkness. Artificial lighting, just like natural lighting, is an integral part of architecture and the environment. It interacts with shapes, materials, color, and distinctive characteristics of objects. The task of lighting solutions is much wider than just making the space brighter after sunset. Lighting has reached a new level and can both improve the space for living and make it unbearable to be in.
The combination of modern technologies and an artistic approach helps to create a unique light environment, ensure the fulfillment of functional tasks, make a space safe, and the living environment attractive.

LIGHTING SOLUTIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL SPACES
For city apartments and private residences lighting solutions must meet several specific criteria to truly become a place where it is comfortable to live, relax, meet guests, work, or just stay in solitude.

Lighting Design Criteria

1 – functionality and aesthetics
– light must perform its primary function;
– light should be where it is really needed;
– lighting should form a safe and comfortable environment;
– artificial lighting should bring to life the ideas of designers and architects, showing the aesthetic value of the project.

2 – technical tasks of lighting solutions
– the technical characteristics of the luminaires must be carefully selected (power, color temperature, RGB/RGBW, scattering angles, ripple factor);
– the number, placement and fastening of lighting devices is justified and thought out;
– all equipment must be certified.

In the project of the reconstruction of a dacha in the Moscow region, the architects paid great attention to working with natural light. Thanks to the large windows, sunlight fills the interior during the day, making it light and airy, and at night, the perception of the living space is formed by artificial lighting. In this minimalistic interior, lighting fixtures perform their functional task, while they themselves remain almost invisible. Architectural solutions are underlined by light, showing an expressive image of the living space and without creating visual noise.
The design solution of this interior is built on contrasts of colors, shadows and light, natural materials, and modern solutions. Thanks to the lighting, it became possible to emphasize the texture of natural wood and fabric, show the features of the finish and visually emphasize important areas in the interior, without drawing attention to the luminaries themselves.

3 – reflection of personality and emotional comfort through technology
Any private interior is an individual design solution created for a particular person or family. There are no two identical interiors, because each person is unique. Therefore, the lighting solution must correspond to the lifestyle, character of the person and his family members.
Modern technological solutions can be used not only in commercial projects, but also in private ones. Sensors and even ordinary dimmers can help to make the house smarter. Now sensors can not only turn the light on and off when motion is detected or the appearance of a pet, but also adjust the lighting depending on the light conditions outside the window. Automated systems can work both according to a given schedule and in manual mode.

Lighting solutions with control of the color of lighting (tunable white, RGB, RGBW) are also quite popular. Color and intensity can be adjusted individually via mobile apps, web or control panel, and some home lighting fixtures come with a variety of preset color programs and dynamic scenes that can be selected from a list.
There are no strict limits and rules in the private segment, there are only recommended indicators, but each person has the right to create for himself the atmosphere in which he feels most comfortable. Light has become a flexible and powerful tool for architects and designers, creating a unique visual and emotional environment in the dark.

4 – lighting scenarios
Lighting solutions for private objects must be flexible and adapt to different tasks or wishes of the owners of the house. A monotonous light environment leads to fatigue rather than relaxation, so the use of lighting scenarios is recommended, for example, such as “receiving guests / a holiday”, “watching a movie”, “romantic evening”, etc. Now modern technologies provide a lot of control options – from mobile gadgets, panels and displays to voice control. These scenarios evoke associations with the theater, where in a limited space the viewer is immersed in a different atmosphere, era, or situation – and light plays an important role in these changes in perception.
If there is no provision for a dedicated lighting control system in the project, it is still feasible to achieve an appropriate lighting atmosphere by employing various luminaires positioned at different heights. So you can combine ceiling light, wall, floor and table lamps, creating a suitable environment with their help.

5 – impact on human health and the environment
Light has a direct effect on a person. Almost all the work of the human body is subject to circadian rhythms – cyclic fluctuations in the intensity of various biological processes associated with the change of day and night.
Exposure to light (spectrum of waves, time of exposure, dynamics of changes in light conditions) can affect the well-being of a person.

For example, to sleep better and feel good, experts recommend:
– get the maximum amount of daylight;
– go for a walk or running outside in the morning (morning light brings the greatest health benefits);
– if you work at home, it is recommended to sit facing the window, do not close the curtains and blinds, letting daylight into the interior as much as possible;
– if there are no windows in the workspace, it is necessary to add working lighting (table lamps or floor lamps);
– it is recommended to create an imitation of a sunset using lighting in a windowless space in the evening;
– in the evening it is better to use dimmed lighting of warm shades;
– It is not recommended to use gadgets (phone, tablet, TV, etc.) one to two hours before bedtime, because the light from the screen can make it difficult to fall asleep.

Now more and more attention is paid to the influence of electric lighting on nature (flora and fauna). Therefore, for country residences, facade and landscape lighting can have an impact on the environment. The task of lighting designers is to maintain a balance between the functional tasks of lighting (human comfort) and the laws of nature.
The human eye easily adapts to low light conditions. You do not need a lot of light for orientation and creating a pleasant nighttime atmosphere on the site. While working at landscape illumination, it is recommended to give preference to low lamps with warm light, the light of which is directed downwards. Also, when they are not needed, they can be dimmed (for example, by time, when presence is detected, or depending on the ambient light) or completely turned off.

Lighting in private projects (interiors and exteriors) is always a unique experience and the search for individual solutions that form the maximum comfort for a person.