Lighting in a wooden house: useful tips and tricks

Lighting in a wooden house must be selected so that it fully fulfills its functions, can become part of the interior and at the same time remains safe. There are a number of nuances regarding the choice of light sources depending on the characteristics of the room.

Features of lighting depending on the design of the ceiling

Relatively small houses of 2-3 floors are usually built from logs, timber and other wood. It is not always possible to make ceilings high, sometimes beams become part of the ceiling, often the attic floor is also made residential. In all these cases, there are nuances regarding the lighting system.

When the ceiling is low

Choosing a lighting fixture for a room with a low ceiling is not so simple. Sometimes it can look sloppy or even interfere, especially with tall residents. Therefore, hanging overall chandeliers will not work.

Overhead lights are suitable for low ceilings.

When arranging lighting, it is customary to adhere to the rule according to which the distance from the floor to the chandelier should be at least 2.1 m. The exception is the illumination of places where a person is in a sitting position (dining table, workplace, etc.).

Suitable for houses with low ceilings:

1. Horizontal chandeliers. Lamps with several shades, which are located at a distance of 10-20 cm from the ceiling. You can use options with translucent shades directed to the ceiling, this helps to diffuse the light.
2. Built-in and overhead lights. A system of overhead chandeliers can serve as the basis for lighting a room with a low ceiling. Additionally, certain areas can be illuminated with built-in lamps.

With wooden beams

In such rooms, it makes no sense to fix chandeliers on the main ceiling, the light source will be very high, and a shadow will be cast from the beams. Therefore, the lamps are mounted either in the beams themselves or in the ceiling (if any).

Point light sources look great in the ceiling.

Usually installed in the ceiling point or small overhead lights. Such devices weigh a little, so they will not create a high load on materials. The beams themselves are a more durable structure, so they are suitable for overhead lamps, chandeliers. If there is no overlap, you can simply install a lot of loft-style pendant lamps.

Project with pendant lamps on beams.

Beams can also become one of the main design elements. In non-residential premises, for example, in the corridor, you can install wall lights, and fix them on the surface of the beams led strip, the light from which is directed upwards, it will be scattered. In other rooms, this type of lighting can only be decorative, additional.

Beam lighting.

Attic type

Correctly selected attic lighting in a wooden house can affect comfort. When choosing fixtures, it is important to consider the dimensions and shape of the floor. The number of windows that affect the level also plays a role. natural light.

What is used on the attic floors:

1. Local lights, which highlight certain parts of the room. The emphasis on certain details has a good effect on the overall appearance of the room. For this purpose, wall and table lamps, floor lamps are used.
2. Light diffuser. Such a device is usually made of crystal, it, thanks to the play of light and shadows, recreates unique patterns - stars, snow, etc.
3. Spotlights. The most popular option for attic lighting. Point light sources are suitable even for areas in which the lowest ceiling level.
   Spot and wall lamps on the attic floor.
4. LED Strip Light. Its advantage is that it does not take up extra space. With a tape, you can make both a backlight along the contour and equip lamps by folding the strips into certain shapes (rectangle, square, etc.).
   Ceiling contour LED lighting.
5. Neon lights. It is used as an addition to the main lighting. It can be either monophonic, in the same color temperature with lamps, or with changing color.

Room Lighting Tips

The selection of light sources is carried out not only taking into account the dimensions of the premises and the characteristics of their ceilings, the purpose is also taken into account.The lighting requirements for rooms where people are constantly present are completely different from those for technical rooms.

Living rooms (bedroom, children's room)

The bedroom does not require too bright light, because it is a relaxation room in which people spend part of the evening and night. Important light temperature, it is better to choose warm lamps, they contribute to relaxation.

A chandelier is chosen as the main light source, and a floor lamp is additionally installed. If the bedroom has a dressing table, then a light source is also needed in this area, it can be light bulbs mounted in a mirror or a table lamp. Also, a table lamp will be useful for those who like to read before going to bed, it is installed on a bedside table.

Chandelier + table lamp in the bedroom.

A similar lighting tactic is used in children's rooms. A chandelier is suspended from the ceiling, table lamps are needed in the study area, if one is provided. For children's room night lighting is also relevant, nightlights with frosted lamps are better, they will not cause terrible shadows on wooden walls.

Option for decorating a children's room.

Kitchen

In private wooden houses, kitchens are usually made large in area. Their coverage is appropriate to divide into several zones:

1. Main. A chandelier or an ensemble of spotlights is suitable for the kitchen. Use light bulbs warm or neutral light.
   Hanging chandelier + spotlights in the kitchen.
2. working. It includes a stove, sink, cutting area. These places require additional light directed directly into the work area. Most often, lamps are used that are attached to the bottom of the kitchen set.
   LED strip above the work area.
3. dining room. To improve comfort, you can hang one or more chandeliers above the table. Warm lamps are also suitable for temperature, which relax and do not distort colors.
   Additional lights above the dining area.
4. functional. We are talking about lighting inside cabinets, bedside tables. Not an obligatory part of lighting, but its presence increases the convenience of working in the kitchen in the evening.
   Functional lighting.

Veranda

Owners of wooden houses often equip a veranda or terrace for outdoor recreation in warm weather. Various designs of lamps are suitable: suspended, built-in, overhead, wall. It is important that in terms of temperature, brightness and other characteristics, the light is combined with courtyard lighting and at home.

An example of the design of light in the veranda.

A few more tips for lighting on the veranda:

1. You need to use only street models of lamps. It is important that the instruments withstand the effects of condensation, changes in temperature and humidity levels.
2. For the veranda, it is desirable to lay a separate cable in a protective box that will cover it from the effects of moisture and temperatures.
3. Convenient control system. It is better if the ability to turn on / off the light on the veranda will be both from the street and from inside the house. It will also be convenient modern smartphone control system.

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Additionally, the illumination of the wooden house itself is being arranged. A log or any other wooden facade looks beautiful, and this should be emphasized. For this, either lamps mounted in the wall or spotlights are used, which are installed in the ground, and the light from them goes to the building.

Spotlights aimed at the facade emphasize the shape of the timber.

facade lighting performs not only a decorative, but also a protective function. With a well-lit area and house, intruders will not risk making their way inside.

Stair lighting

Stair lighting also performs protective and decorative functions. When arranging it, it is important that there are no dark areas left where you can stumble. Backlight options:

1. Illumination of each step. For this, LED strips or spotlights built into the lower part of the wall are used. Additionally, you can highlight the light of the railing.
   Lamp next to each step.
2. Wall lights. Models with light-scattering shades are suitable. They will illuminate the room well throughout the entire height.
   Lower wall lamps.

There are several requirements for temperature and brightness. Light should not dazzle a person and for wooden stairs warm lamps are better. If the staircase in a wooden house is made of metal, then cold light will do.

Organization of electrical wiring

Since wood is highly flammable, special requirements are put forward for electrical wiring. It must be protected from the influence of external factors and have protection in case of emergencies.

Laying the input cable

According to the PUE standards, an electric cable is introduced into the house (including wooden buildings) at a height of at least 25 cm from the ground level for SIP cables, and at least 27.5 cm for uninsulated cables.

The input cable enters the house through the wall; schemes with input through the roof are also sometimes used. The input is carried out through a through hole with a slight slope to the street. According to the norms of SNIP, a wire is inserted through a piece of steel pipe.

Entry through a steel pipe.

The pipe must be sealed after installation, which will provide protection from rain and wind. Compaction must be carried out both from the side of the street and from the inside of the house.

Read also: Which wire to choose for lighting wiring

Cable routing inside

Inside the house, cable wiring is possible in two ways:

1. Closed. Wiring is in steel, copper or other pipes. They provide good protection, but the disadvantage of the method is that it is difficult to detect the source of cable damage in emergency situations.
2. Open. The cable can be run along the wall, additionally it is hidden in special boxes. The advantage of the method is quick access to the cable.

Concealed installation of electrical wiring in a wooden house.