Can You Have Too Much Lighting in a Room?

Many customers who visit our showroom often ask, “Can you have too much lighting in a room?”

Don't underestimate the power of light when it comes to designing your kitchen, bathroom or even your dining room. If you are just beginning the layout process for any home refurbishment project, it’s important to pay attention to how lighting can be used to help create a specific mood.

Read on to learn more!

The effects of light on the body and mind

It’s no secret that light influences our moods, but there are some things you may not know about how it affects your body and mind. In fact, the amount of lighting in a room can have a significant impact on your health and well-being.

Several studies have shown that exposure to bright light can improve alertness, increase attention spans and energy levels, reduce the risk of depression and anxiety, and even help prevent diabetes. But how much light is enough? And how much is too much?

The answer depends on two things: how long you're exposed to certain types of light, and where it comes from. The amount of exposure determines whether or not you're getting enough vitamin D from sunlight (which can be hard to come by if you live in an area with limited sunshine), while sources like LED lights can cause eye strain or other health issues if used improperly.

How much lighting is too much?

It's a question we've all asked ourselves at one time or another. Whether you're looking to create an intimate atmosphere or you want to flood your space with a plethora of beautiful chandeliers, knowing how to use the right amount of light is important.

To answer this question, we'll need to look at three factors: the kind of room you're working with, the type of lighting you're using, and the effect that lighting has on your space.

1. Type of room

If you’re designing a small room like a guest bedroom, chances are you won't need as much lighting as you would in a large living room or kitchen. The bigger the surface area, the more light it needs to be able to illuminate that space evenly.

2. Type of lighting

In the world of interior design, there are three main types of lighting: ambient, task and accent.

• Ambient lighting provides general illumination and often takes the form of pendant or suspension lamps like the gorgeous Ravenna Pendant from our custom lighting collection. With its beautiful brass accents and stylish white shade, not only will it bring a touch of class to your interiors, but it will also infuse your room with a soft, even glow.
• Task lighting is more focused and will enable you to perform activities like reading, sewing and working. In order to achieve this, find a fabulous adjustable table lamp for your office, like the sleek Element by Uffix. Alternatively, pop a beautiful floor lamp next to your sofa so that you can snuggle up with a good book in the evenings.
• Accent lighting is used to highlight specific focal points like architectural features or artwork. This can be done in a number of ways including using wall sconces and strip lights.

Many rooms require a combination of all three, so when considering your options, you need to assess the function of your space and plan accordingly.

At FCI London, we offer an incredible range of lighting solutions and our professional design team will be able to give you advice and guide you through your choices.

3. Effect of lighting

Human health and performance are impacted by light in four ways: the facilitation and execution of visual tasks; controlling the circadian rhythm of the body; influencing perspective and mood; and enabling the absorption of vital chemicals

In order to achieve all of these, you need to balance how you use both natural and artificial lighting in your living environment and make sure that you avoid negative symptoms like eye strain. You also need to choose light bulbs that are both environmentally friendly and healthy for the body.

Types of light fixtures and bulbs

There are many different kinds of light fixtures and bulbs on the market making it hard to know where to start when it comes to choosing the right type for your home. We've put together a list of some of the most popular options:

• Incandescent bulbs: These are the most common type of bulb available and can be found at your local hardware store. However, they use up a lot of energy, burn out quickly and generate a lot of heat, making them a non-sustainable option.
• Halogen bulbs: Halogen bulbs run off gas and emit a lot of light but they burn very hot, leaving a high carbon footprint.
• LED bulbs: LED lights are the newest innovation in lighting technology and are five times more energy efficient than traditional bulbs. They are also affordable, durable and ideal for any type of productivity.

For inspiration on how to balance your lighting properly, browse through our interior design portfolio. We’ve been creating beautiful interiors for over thirty years and are experts in integrating different types of illumination to produce healthy, happy environments.

In conclusion

Not only will your lighting choices create the look, feel and mood of your aesthetics, but they could also affect your health. So finding the balance between too much and too little is one of the key components of a successful home refurbishment project.

At FCI London, we have curated a collection of luxury and contemporary lighting from some of the world’s most exclusive brands from Europe and beyond, and are excited to walk you through your options.

To find out more, get in touch with us today or pop into our showroom for a guided tour.