Truly Lighting has been very busy lately commissioning projects, and one issue that keeps arising in this work is linked to decorative lights. Decorative lighting includes wall lights, chandeliers, table lamps and picture lights. This type of lighting is now using replacement LED lamps, and while this can only stand be a positive development, it is something that needs some research before making a purchasing decision.
When commissioning a project, each room can have individual decorative lighting elements which all require different LED lamps. Each one therefore needs its own consideration. Firstly, the dimming capabilities of each one can be different, in fact it’s possible that the lamp isn’t even dimmable. This means that setting that wonderful, moody evening setting just isn’t possible using the decorative lamps. In fact, they may well just turn off once they reach 10% or higher.
Secondly, the colour and output can vary, which in turn effects how this will complement the interiors. For example, using a 3000k white may be too cool if you want to achieve a cosy, warm dusk to evening setting. The recommendation would be to use 2700k warm white for the lamps, as this will be the most similar to the rest of the lighting within the project.
Taking all of this into consideration, Truly Lighting has starting advising clients on the specification of the lamps. This means there are no surprises when commissioning the lighting control system, and it simple for the client to find replacement LED lamps, as the number of variants throughout the project can be kept to a minimum.
As lighting designers, it is an important part of Truly Lighting’s role to ensure decorative lighting (and all lighting) is suitable for its intended application. Times have changed since the straightforward days of using tungsten filament lamps, which were easy to understand how they would look and dim. However, the benefits of LEDs are so great that it is completely worth taking the time to research, understand them, and use them to deliver amazing results.