Lighting in Design Q1 2019

How to light a child’s room

Lighting is often the most overlooked element in any room’s design – and also one of the most important, particularly in a multifunctional space like a child's room.

S torytime is an important bedtime ritual for many families. Reading requires the right light, but you also want to ensure a calm space that promotes sleep. A directional bedside lamp that can be pointed at the book specifically is ideal for this. It allows parents and children to see what they are reading but won’t shine on the little one who is falling asleep. Night lights Children sometimes need the comfort of a night light and there is no better lamp for the task than a mobile, battery-operated touch lamp. If they wake up in the middle of the night they simply have to touch it and their room will be illuminated. Another option is a timer-controlled lamp that plugs into the wall. It’s a hassle-free option if a child struggles to fall asleep without some form of light on in the room. Mood lighting Ensure a cosy and unique atmosphere in a child’s room by incorporating lighting that creates splashes of soft colour on the walls. Not only does it add to the aesthetic appeal of the space, it also promotes brain activity. Children need to experience colour and movement for healthy mental development. While stimulation is important for young children, so is rest. Creating a peaceful environment in a child’s room is key, especially if you’re encouraging them

to fall asleep. Installing a dimmer control switch on the main light can help with this, as the lights can be gradually dimmed when needed. This comes in handy if parents need to feed a baby during the night or if a toddler wakes up and needs to be comforted. A dimmed light allows parents to carry out tasks without causing too much disruption, as would be the case if a bright, main light were switched on. Study light Bedrooms of school-going children often double up as a study. Here the right light can go a long way to increase concentration and even interest in thework. If you opt for a table or desk lamp, ensure that it is positioned so there is no direct glare on the child’s face when he or she is working. The light should fall directly on to the open page and there shouldn’t be any shadows when writing. Fluorescent lamps are ideal if the light is being used for long periods at a time since they don’t produce a lot of heat. For instances where more intense light is needed, such as studying from a textbook, a halogen lamp is more effective for its superior colour rendering. An energy-saving LED lamp which also produces superior quality lighting can be considered.

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LiD Q1 - 2019