Lighting has a strong influence on the perception of the interior. In many ways, the feeling of coziness and comfort for people in the room depends on the lighting fixtures. Correctly placed lamps transform the interior, demonstrating new facets and rich colors. With their help, you can create a romantic and cozy twilight, highlight functional areas and accents, and illuminate the front hall with bright, festive light.
One of the most popular tools for creating the right atmosphere in a room are wall sconces. With their help, they illuminate individual areas in the rooms and create comfortable corners for relaxation and quiet activities. Wall lamps complement the chosen interior style and play the role of magnificent, sophisticated decor. To get the best possible effect, the products must be installed correctly. Compliance with installation technology and the choice of points at which the devices will be installed are also important. We'll talk about how to hang sconces correctly in this article.
Basic safety requirements when installing sconces
Modern sconces are classified according to the method of connection to the electrical network into two main types:
- direct connection to electrical wiring;
- through the outlet and plug on the cord connected to the device.
In the first case, all the wires are “hidden” in the wall or body of the device, which makes operation safer. This option is ideal for a nursery or bathroom, when the presence of hanging wires and open sockets is not welcome. Also, such models have an aesthetic appearance and fit amazingly into the surrounding interior.
Products with a fork are more versatile. To install them, you do not need to leave wiring outlets or drill into the wall in advance; you can connect them anywhere near which there is an outlet. It is easy to move such sconces to another room or to another place when rearranging the furniture in the room. But there is a significant drawback - the stretching cord causes inconvenience and spoils the appearance of the wall. If there are small children or pets in the house, exposed live wires pose a source of danger.
The location and height of installation of electrical appliances are selected individually, based on the specific situation. A variety of factors are taken into account:
- the height of the ceilings and furniture next to which the lamps are installed. These could be dining tables, sofas or beds;
- interior style and wall decoration. So, quite often sconces are included in artistic compositions - drawings, paintings, hung next to mirrors and paintings;
- configuration and layout of the room, for example, the presence of arches, false columns, stairs;
- purpose of the room and arrangement of furniture.
But there are rules based on the sanitary requirements of SanPiN, SP, PUE, and safety precautions that should be followed in any case.
- Key switches for lamps in common rooms and bedrooms for adults are placed at a height of 80-170 cm. For children's rooms where small children live, this standard is 180 cm. This height allows you to protect the baby from contact with wires and electric current.
- It is recommended to install hidden wiring in bathrooms and toilets, which reduces the risk of short circuits due to increased air humidity and water droplets.
- In the kitchen, switches and the lamps themselves are located at a distance of more than 50 cm from the gas pipe, gas stove and flexible hose.
There are also illumination standards, expressed in Lux (1 lumen multiplied by 1 m2 of area) that you need to know about:
- places for work, reading, handicrafts – 300;
- children's – 200;
- bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens – 150;
- corridors, hallways, bathrooms – 50.
When making calculations, it is worth considering that the height of the sconce above the floor affects the area of the illuminated area and the scattering of light rays. The higher the device is mounted, the larger the illuminated area, and the dimmer the light itself.
Pallet bed with lighting
Let's figure out how to quickly build a bed from old pallets and equip it with lighting, everything is quite simple:
| Illustration | Description |
| Pallets are being prepared. To do this, the required number of elements is assembled, all of them must be the same size and shape. The surface is cleaned of dirt and sanded; the work is done either manually with a brush or with a power tool.
| |
| The structure is being assembled . There are many options - from the simplest laying of pallets in two layers to the construction of systems with a backrest and bedside tables, as in the photo. The easiest way is to view pictures on the Internet and choose the optimal solution for your home. The work uses self-tapping screws, angles and plates. | |
| The surface is painted . For this, either paint or varnish is used, which protects the material but does not hide the structure of the wood. It all depends on your preferences. | |
| The backlight is installed . For work, a tape is used, which is glued in suitable places and connected to the network. After this, the mattress is laid and the bed can be used. |
Sconce in the kitchen
In the kitchen, sconces are selected in the same style as other lighting fixtures and furniture. They can play the role of accents, or harmoniously complement the interior. Three options are considered the most successful places for installation:
- on the side of the dining table placed against the wall, at a level of 60-70 cm from the tabletop;
- above the worktop, between cabinets or shelves. Retreat from the surface at least 50 cm;
- on the wall next to the sofa or kitchen corner.
Switches are positioned so that they can be easily reached without getting up.
Types of Home LED Lighting
For home interiors, LED strip (LED strip) or duralight are usually used. They are energy saving and durable. But there are some differences between them. To make choosing easier, I suggest you understand their advantages and disadvantages.
Illuminating the bed using duralight
Duralight is a flexible cord with LEDs inside. Its main advantages include:
- protection from any damage;
- resistance to temperature changes;
- waterproofness and strength of the material.
Flaws:
- the price is higher than for LED strip;
- the glow is not very bright.
Sconce in the bedroom
This is a traditional room for installing sconces. As a rule, they are installed in pairs, on either side of the head of the bed, so that it is convenient to read before going to bed or get up at night without disturbing the spouse sleeping next to him. Height – 120-150 cm above the floor, depending on the height of the bed. In addition, lamps can be installed on the side of the dressing table, illuminating the mirror, or next to an armchair or sofa.
Sconce in the living room There are a lot of options for installing additional wall lighting in the living room:
- over the back of the sofa;
- just above the mantelpiece;
- on the sides of the TV;
- next to the armchairs and coffee table in the recreation area;
- above the table, if available.
Height – 1-2 meters, depending on personal preferences and interior.
Conclusion
Now you know all the main options for bed lighting and can choose the optimal solution for your bedroom. The video will tell and clearly show additional information on the topic, and if you have questions, write them below in the comments.
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June 17, 2022
Accessories,Interior lighting
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Sconce in the nursery
For babies, choose colorful, fantastic night lights, placing them above the crib. The child should not reach the lamp with his hands, but the switch is located in an area accessible to him. For teenage children there are no such restrictions, and the height is selected depending on the purpose of the device.
Schematic diagram
The electrical circuit of an illuminated bed is extremely simple and consists of only 2 key elements: a power supply and an LED strip. If RGB or RGBW tape is used, then the circuit is supplemented with an RGB or RGBW controller. Below is a lighting diagram using a multi-color LED strip.
Sconce in the hallway and hallway
As a rule, the layout of these premises does not imply the presence of windows. The exception is private houses and dachas with an individual project. To illuminate a long corridor or a closed hallway space, ceiling lights alone are not enough. Rays of light directed from above distort colors and create sharp shadows; darkness lurks in the corners. At the same time, good light in the corridor and hallway is necessary to move freely, clean up before going outside or change into household clothes. And the best option for additional lighting is wall lamps. You just need to hang them correctly.
- In narrow, long corridors, light sources are mounted on the walls at a level of 170-200 cm, so as not to accidentally get caught when moving. The number of products is calculated by length, spaced approximately 1.5-2 meters.
- If the room has a regular square or semicircular shape, or the corridor is wide enough, lamps for local lighting are installed at a height of 150 cm. However, it is worth considering that the light of low-power bulbs will not reach the opposite wall.
In the case when sconces are installed above cabinets, consoles, or built into furniture sets, the height can be arbitrary. Also, when installing lighting next to a mirror or decorative element, they are guided, first of all, by its location.
Varieties
Classification of wall sconces is carried out taking into account the following criteria:
- device type;
- type of lampshade;
- shutdown type;
- type of lamp used;
- design.
Modern lamps may have a rotating body or a stationary modification that will not allow the lamp to be moved in different directions. The first option involves the presence of flexible fittings in the lamp body, which allows you to change the direction of the light if desired. Typically, stationary options are used to create a cozy atmosphere using diffused light in the room.
The lampshades for such night lights come in the form of:
- pendants;
- flower buds;
- candles and candelabra;
- lanterns;
- regular and irregular geometric figures.
Hanging sconces can be operated using the following devices:
- sensory mechanism;
- cord;
- keys;
- buttons;
- lever
Modern wall lights can work with the following lamps:
- incandescent;
- with halogen options;
- with energy saving and LED types.
As for the design of the device, manufacturers produce devices in the following stylistic directions:
- classics - models similar to chandeliers, having simple shapes and discreet colors;
- minimalism – night lights with an elegant configuration, most often equipped with additional functions;
- modern - products can be made from eco-friendly materials, the design is dominated by smooth outlines;
- vintage devices - sometimes made to order, the shapes are dominated by monograms and forged elements.
