Getting the lighting right in every room

Rich Semple, founder, SoMA Lighting (@soma_lighting) shares some illuminating insight

The right lighting adds emotion. When considering lighting for any room, the first thing to think about is how that space is used, and the feelings and emotions you want to evoke from people. It’s important to pay close attention to the interior details, finishes, tones and textures when choosing lighting solutions, to ensure these aspects are enhanced rather than diminished.

Layering creates dynamism. The most common mistake in residential lighting is overuse and reliance on downlights, and only illuminating from above. This results in a flat and lifeless space so it’s critical to layer lighting wherever possible. The use of soft lighting such as floor lamps, table lamps and wall lights add dynamism to a space, and pairs well with feature lighting such as pendants and chandeliers.

Placement is everything. For the kitchen you need to place more emphasis on lighting quantity and placement of lighting as this is one room that requires adequate illumination so we can perform delicate tasks such as food prep, chopping and reading from recipe books. Directional spotlights or pendant lights focused over preparation areas are the ideal solution. In the bathroom, overhead spotlights equal unwanted shadows, so opt for integrated wall lights next to the mirror in order to provide even illumination for tasks such as makeup application.

Sleep is a billion-dollar industry and the right bedroom lighting is imperative. Studies have shown that exposure to blue light suppresses melatonin and shifts the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Selecting the wrong colour temperature lamps for your bedroom or using poor-quality

LEDs with too much blue light content will therefore impact sleep potential. Human-centric solutions via tuneable white lighting technology are now available and adapt to mimic circadian rhythm by automatically changing both intensity and colour temperature of installed lighting throughout the day.

Sustainability is here to stay. LED lamps and fittings have replaced traditional light sources and low-energy lighting systems are now standard in most buildings. The focus is shifting away from single-use products that can’t be reused or repaired, and towards a circular economy. Some lighting manufacturers, therefore, are now offering a 20-year repair and reuse guarantee. The use of dimming systems and presence detectors to ensure lights aren’t left on when a room is empty is also a great idea.

Switch on to safety. Reputable manufacturers will always offer a minimum five-year product guarantee on their products and you can usually download product test reports if you want to double-check the safety aspect. If a product is being sold at a very cheap price then it’s unlikely this information will be available and you may only receive a one-year warranty, meaning you may end up replacing the lights more frequently. Buy cheap, buy twice!

Lighting inspiration is everywhere. The local lighting design community is thriving and there are a lot of talented designers in Dubai. For inspiration for your own home, check out the lighting at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, The Guild restaurant in DIFC and the dining, retail and entertainment hub at Gate Avenue.