When lighting large open spaces, the key is finding the right balance of enough light, while maintaining ambience and warmth. Truly Lighting has worked on some beautiful, larger spaces, including the communal areas such as the lobby and lounge areas of the Al Bustan Residences in Saudi Arabia.
Here are some thoughts on how to approach larger, open spaces.
Layering
If you are working with particularly high ceilings, be sure to consider different layers of light. Think about using floor recessed up lights or standing lamps to make the space more inviting and creating a bit of drama in the space. Wall lighting or table lamps with shades can create a soft light making the space feel cosy. Then consider your ceiling lights. This can be a mixture of ceiling recessed adjustable downlights, concealed LED within slots or coffers and Decorative Pendants.
Statement lighting
When thinking about your different levels of light, consider adding in some large pendants or chandeliers which help to create the ‘Wow’ factor. High ceilings are perfect for statement shades that can be suspended further down into the space.
Angles
If you are using spotlights, we suggest using a downlight that can be angled so you can illuminate different areas of the space rather than downlights that point straight down. This allows you to highlight artwork, curtains or joinery so that reflected light comes back in to the room and enhances the features within the space.
Think how the space is used
If the space is used for relaxing, consider adding in some lights that are suitable for reading. Or for dining, a narrow beam downlight above a table creates a pool of light creating focus in the room. Soft table lamps may also be a good addition. Make sure all the lighting is dimmable, especially within large spaces. This lets you achieve different mood settings which can be used for both daytime and night time events and will enable the lighting to serve all the different functions of the space.
If you are working on a large open space project and want to find out how Truly Lighting could offer you a unique lighting design, contact us today to discuss your needs.