Lighting

LED Lighting  

LED lighting offers numerous advantages over traditional lighting options. It is energy efficient, it also has a considerably longer lifespan, making it a more durable lighting solution. LED lights also come in a variety of colors and styles, making them ideal for use in both aesthetic and functional lighting applications. They can be attached to a range lighting fixtures. Designer LED lights can be added to any space.

What are the options for home LED lighting?

Nowadays, home lighting options in New Zealand have reached a whole new level, options that vary from traditional lighting to smart home lighting systems.

Designer lighting options in New Zealand are extensive, ranging from stylish pendant lights to ornate chandeliers, enabling you to create the perfect ambiance. However, it's important to have a clear understanding of the aesthetic you're aiming to achieve and maintain a unified lighting system throughout your home for optimal results.

Types and Usages

There are 3 main types of lighting: general, task, and accent.

General LED Lights

This type gives an area overall illumination. It radiates a comfortable level of brightness. This enables people to see and walk about safely. This is accomplished through the use of chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, recessed or track lights, and lanterns outdoors in New Zealand.

LED Task Lights

The ultimate goal of this light is to help tasks to get done. It should be free of distracting glares but bright enough to prevent eye strain. There are many options available. 

Tasks lights are adjustable to any chosen area. They can be brightened or darkened to suit one's needs. 

Task Lights may come in the form of overhead sources like recessed or track lighting, as well as an adjustable desk or task lamp. These are ideal for activities like reading, cooking, studying, and office work.

LED Accent Lighting 

LED accent lighting has a visually dramatic appeal. The aim is to draw attention to an object or feature without drawing attention to how it’s being lit. This requires at least three times as much light towards the focal point compared to the rest of the room. In New Zealand, it is used to spotlight paintings, houseplants, sculptures, and other prized possessions, or to highlight the texture of a wall or drapery.

Ambient Lighting 

Ambient lighting is the main lighting source for a room. This type of lighting covers everything from ceiling lights to wall lights. Ambient lighting is particularly important to get right as it will determine your experience of a room, and provide an even amount of lighting in a room. In New Zealand, dimmers are generally used to control ambient lighting and allow for lighting to be adjusted depending on how the room is being used. 

Ambient lighting is used to provide the right amount of light for an entire room; it is not designed to illuminate specific areas within a space.

Bathroom and kitchen lighting

Bathroom lights are often specified as a mix of more traditional, pared-back downlights and task lighting around mirrors and vanities - those areas where additional lighting is required for specific tasks such as shaving or applying makeup.

Kitchen lighting is similar to bathroom lighting in terms of its composition - generally a combination of ambient and task lighting. Often, task lighting is needed for particular work areas such as over a kitchen island or benchtop where food is prepared. Many modern kitchens in New Zealand also incorporate LED lighting in cupboards and in open cabinetry.

Different Types of LED Lights 

LED Ceiling Lights

These fixtures provide general illumination.  In the past, it was common to see white tubes, bulbs, and chandeliers as the basis for ceiling fixtures. These days there are plenty of options for ceiling lights in New Zealand. For example, we have LED recessed ceiling lights, downlights, pendant lights, spotlights, and LED strip lights that can now be installed. 

LED Stair Lights

Stairways and other interior features can be enhanced by the modern placement of step lights. These stair lights are not only excellent for decorative effect but also for safety.  These lights can be placed; on steps (on the bottom side of the tread), mounted on the staircase wall, or placed on the banister or handrail. 

LED Cabinet Lights 

There are a variety of light fixtures in New Zealand that can be installed on the underside of cabinets. Cabinet LED lights are ideal for rooms where cabinets are installed. In a kitchen, under-cabinet illumination complements the main overhead kitchen lights. They are useful in providing focused illumination in a workspace area.

Lamps 

Lamps showcase authenticity and beauty when placed in particular settings. They come in different designs and have different light outputs. Lamps are traditionally associated with being just table lamps. 

Now we also have floor lamps, which open up a room by creating a sense of heightened space. Lamps create intimate space as they draw attention to the smaller areas of a room.

Uplights 

Neon Signs and Lights 

These are great for business advertisement. Neon signs and lights are undeniably attractive and eye-catching. They offer high visibility and look dazzling in the nighttime. 

These lights have a long life span of up to 12 years in New Zealand. This makes them cheaper and more energy-efficient to run. 

Outdoor LED Lighting 

Exterior lighting provides a warm ambience, enough light to eat by, and a measure of safety along dark paths. Outdoor lighting products can be made up of a combination of overhead, wall, and table fixtures. 

Also, they may come in the form of solar lights, floodlights, garden lights, outdoor wall lights, and floor lamps. It is imperative to pick out the right type and style for each application.

LED Light Fittings & Accessories

The majority of light fittings & accessories available on the market in New Zealand today are LED-based lights. LED Lights have proven to consume 4-5 times less energy as compared to normal electric bulbs. They are capable of garnering 20000-50000 hours of light power. This makes them ideal for commercial and home lighting use. 

They may be used for LED Strip Lights, LED Bulbs, & LED lamps, and LED car lights.

Vintage Lights

To get that classic rustic feel, install some vintage lighting pieces. Before electricity, vintage lighting products were originally made from porcelain, metal, or glass shades to protect candle flames. With the advancement of technology, different types of metal and glass shades have been created to accommodate light bulbs. 

Some vintage pieces can mimic the functionalities of a gas lamp, teamed with an incandescent or filament bulb. The right light will give an incredible vintage gaslight effect to a setting.

The Importance of Illumination 

LED Indoor Lighting

All 3 types of light; task, general, and accent should be layered for the ultimate effect. General light (including sunlight) should light all areas of the interior evenly. Task lighting illuminates specific areas, such as a reading corner, kitchen preparation area, desk, bathroom vanity, or sewing center. 

Lastly, accent lighting is used to accentuate an aesthetically pleasing feature or draw attention away from less attractive ones. It is important that all these elements work together harmoniously. Brighten up rooms by using all three layers of lights together to completely transform a space. 

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor area lights make the exterior of a place look more dynamic from the sidewalk, giving it that extra special curb appeal. Illuminating pathways allows for outside entertainment and reduces certain risks by illuminating dark areas. Outdoor lights offer great security too. By illuminating entryways, dark walkways, and garages, potential intruders can easily be spotted. A well-lit exterior will discourage criminals from setting foot on a property.

Commercial & Retail

Proper placement and usage of light will help a business stand out. The way light is set will either present an inviting or an unwelcome tone to a business environment. It draws the attention of customers to products and creates lasting memories in the minds of all who visit the office. Light fixtures and accessories play a huge role in mood lighting.

The decorative light design can be used to invoke nostalgic feelings. For example, using a string of small white lights in a winter holiday display can invoke childhood memories in customers. This is widely used to attract and retain customers in New Zealand. 

How to choose home lighting

Choosing LED lighting for a home in New Zealand can be a daunting task. With everything from recessed lights to oversized and intricate chandeliers in the mix, one way to start is with the ambient lighting - those lights that will be the main source of light for a room. Often, selecting a unified style of ambient lighting that features throughout the home is preferred.

How to plan home lighting

Lighting is an important, functional aspect of any home in New Zealand. In most cases, your design professionals will put together a lighting plan and specify individual fittings and systems. However, lighting can be used to feature or highlight certain areas or aspects within a room, fittings can be used as pieces of art, and functionally, focused areas of lighting may be used for specialised tasks. 

It’s always best practice to take some time and consider how each room in the home is likely to be used and who will be using it. Consider things such as whether a particular piece of art should be illuminated, whether an entertainment area or media room should have the option to change the levels of light, and whether a work area or desk needs specific focused lighting. Ensuring clarity around use and function ensures the right types of lighting are used in the different areas of the home.