As we all know, design and innovation are about creating solutions to problems. Residential lighting design has long existed as a problem to be solved.
Fortunately for us, the history of lighting dates back to antiquity and continues through present-day exploration of better options such as LED lightbulbs. The only real difference between solving this issue now versus then is that rather than focusing on a candlelight or equivalent forms of illumination, we can focus on energy efficiency and cost savings with modern technology like:
Lumens: The amount of visible light emitted by a source (lamp) in every direction; measured in lumens; similar terms include lux (lx), which measures luminance over an area, and candela (cd), which measures the intensity of light at a distance
Lamp: A device containing one or more electric lights; most commonly used with the terms “lightbulb,” “bulb,” and “lamp” (e.g., table lamp, floodlight);
Lighting: The provision of general or specific illumination, typically as an artificial means of achieving visibility on some defined occasion or for some particular purpose
Energy efficiency: 10-50 lumens per watt from incandescent bulbs vs. >100 lumens per watt from LED bulbs
The benefits of residential lighting design solutions are broad enough to encompass all areas of life. Advancements in this field have been so significant that we might be experiencing a shift in the way we think about things like:
Safety: LED-based lighting solutions like this one can help keep people and property safe and deliver up to 160,000 hours of light, whereas incandescent lightbulbs can last around 1,000 hours of use.
Convenience: LED-based lighting solutions like this one are easily adjustable, so you don’t have to get off your couch to turn on or off a light, whereas you would have to get up and plug in or unplug an incandescent bulb.
Value: Longer lasting than their traditional counterparts, energy-efficient lighting options like this one cost significantly less money over the course of their expected lifetime, whereas incandescent bulbs tend to cost more initially but less overall when compared to longer-lasting replacements.
With these thoughts in mind, it’s time for us all to consider how we might benefit from residential lighting design solutions geared towards solving the issues that matter most to us.
Lighting design isn’t just a question of aesthetics or personal preference; it is an important factor in the safety, comfort, and efficiency of our lives. The advent of LED lighting has given designers more options than ever before from which to choose.
