Lighting
Learn from common mistakes “The most common mistake people make when planning an electrical layout is to underestimate the number of sockets needed,” Eva says. “It’s worth putting in double, rather than single, sockets in every instance and always more than you think you’ll need. “Another mistake is to misjudge the lighting layout in terms of allowing for the varying moods you’ll want at different times of the day and year,” she continues. “People often overestimate the quantity of recessed ceiling lighters needed, creating a ‘runway’ effect.” Benjamin tells a cautionary tale. “A client recently had a new kitchen. In it, she had two WiFi-connected ovens, a WiFi fridge and a WiFi washing machine. At the end she said, ‘Oh, but I have poor internet in this room.’ If I’d known, I could have fixed the problem with new cables to improve her WiFi coverage. But at that point, it was too late. “It’s common that people have their routers at the front of the house,” he says, “and by the time the signal’s travelled through a few walls and reached the back of the house, it’s much weaker.” Angus suggests some more electrical requirements often overlooked by homeowners: A hardwired smoke alar...
Futureproof your decisions To a large extent, once you’re committed to electrical decisions – that a pendant light will go over a table in a fixed position, for instance – these are not generally simple to change. This can make decision-making fraught – especially if you like to move furniture about. But there are some insider tricks to keep up your sleeve. Angus suggests some futureproofing measures to take: Ensure cabling to pendant lights is left long – say an extra 1 to 2m of cable hidden in the ceiling. This would allow you to relocate that pendant by cutting a hole in the ceiling, moving the fitting, then simply repairing the original hole – not a significant cost. Allow for extra fittings in the ceiling – in other words, make wiring provision for six lights, say, and only install four (and retain a marked-up drawing), allowing the additional lights to be installed easily at a later date. If you really want to futureproof, you could install a controls system, such as KNX, which allows a ‘plug and play’ approach to all electrical fittings, using a single cable system. We often use 5 amp circuits in living areas to provide flexibility for positioning floor or table lamps, whil...
Think of your lighting in layers “At a minimum, you’ll want both general ceiling lighting and local task lighting,” Eva explains. “Recessed downlighters are the most popular form of ceiling lighting nowadays, but they’re not my preferred option for all rooms,” she says. “Track lighting is a great alternative, with a huge variety of spotlights available according to your taste and style. Ceiling lights should always be on a dimmer switch, allowing you to change the mood in the room with a turn of the wrist.” Task lighting is just as important. This provides a comfortable light source for things such as reading, cooking or sewing. “5 amp sockets are invaluable for this,” Eva says, “as they [can be wired to] allow your floor and table lamps to be switched on together from a single switch at the door.” Think about where you’ll place furniture as well as how you’ll use the room when planning your lighting and sockets layout. And don’t forget to allow for the shadows that lights can create. “Recessed downlighters are major culprits,” Eva says, “and shadows can cause particular problems in bathrooms and kitchens. Overhead fittings in bathrooms can cast shadows on your face.” She advis...
“There are a few different layers of light designed into the space,” Daniel says. “There are pendant lights over the table and above the sink, as well as strip lighting under the kitchen cabinets and over the office shelving. “The strip lights bring light onto a surface without the shadows that spotlights can cast,” he adds. “They also give a nice warmth to the space.” Natural light is maximised through the inclusion of two large, triple-glazed rooflights, as well as the glazing on the back of the extension.
It’s easier than ever to get great lighting that helps you to feel more productive and relaxed in your home office. Check out this illustration that reviews what to do and not do when lighting your space.
Q