Lighting design for period property refurb

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Attached are the photos of the proposed lighting for our house following the refurb. We are trying to reduce the costs. The point of contention is around the recessed spotlights. Where do we really need them (in the living room are they really necessary?) - basically pendant = 1 point 6 spotlights = 6 times more expensive - we don't want to compromise on the quality of the lighting or electrical points required so any advice for a cleverer and cheaper design welcome.

Thank you in advance.

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Comments (4)

Carolina
5 years ago
I'm not a professional, but I don't think you need spotlights in the living room. As long as you have a ceiling light, and enough sockets around the room to plug in floor and table lamps, you'll be fine. Same goes for entrance hall, really. I think one ceiling light in the main entrance hall and perhaps two in the narrower section will be enough. You could have (LED) lighting strips in the wardrobe to give you enough light to see which coat you're grabbing :-)

Two ceiling lights in the loo seems a bit much, one could be enough too.

Are those rooflights above the kitchen? If you're going for upper cabinets, I'd have under cabinet lighting. If not, wall lights will be necessary (and lovely). I think they've been drawn in the scheme? I'd keep the recessed spotlights in the utility, playroom and the lighting points (for pendants?) above the dining table and island. Although one will probably be enough, above the dining table. Unless you go for recessed lights above the dining table too, then I'd have two or three.

Have them on dimmer switches, which means you'll need dimmable spotlights.
PRO
User
5 years ago
I can't see the room sizes...........however, the rule of thumb is generally 1 per sq metre.

I agree with Carolina, not strictly necessary in a lounge, although we have them. I use them when i'm reading, my wife hates them and turns them off in favour of lamps.

The Hall seems to have an overload as does the Utility and definitely the landing area upstairs. Re the landing upstairs, either spots or a pendant. I think i'd drop the pendant ( we live in a low ceiling cottage, we don't have one ). We also have only 2 spots, which are plenty. They get left on low overnight when the grand kids are here and the rest of the time, we don't really use them.
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Celine Fenech
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you both your comments have been really useful and helpful. Much appreciated.
Blah1
5 years ago
Hi, I’m also doing a Reno similar to yours. My builder said the electric costs were high as my architect had put in way more spotlights than were needed. I have a smaller living room than yours which has one pendant and he said if I wanted spotlights he would recommend no more than 4. I’ve also been advised to go for a dimmer switch so I can control be lighting.

I found your post and the comments very valuable so thank you for asking!

Lighting design for period property refurb

Comments (4)

Carolina

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Lighting design for period property refurb

Comments (4)

Carolina

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Celine FenechOriginal Author

Blah1

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Celine Fenech
Original Author