Enlightened wellbeing in the home: The impact of lighting design on mental health in residential spaces
Over the past few years, we’ve spent unprecedented amounts of time indoors, and the impact this has had on our mental and emotional well-being is something we’re acutely aware of. The benefits of connecting to nature are wide-ranging and well-documented, and natural light is one of the most influential factors in determining the state of our mental health, mood, sleeping habits, emotions and patterns of behaviour.
Whilst we’d all ideally be spending more time outdoors; the great shift indoors has fundamentally changed how we live and work. Interior lighting is fundamental to our perception of an interior space, it is a central candidate for affecting our emotional state at home and the effective management of it is of utmost importance.
What are the key considerations we need to make when designing a successful lighting scheme at home, and more importantly, why?
The importance of natural light
Lighting design should ensure maximisation of natural daylight where practical. There will of course be exceptions, cinema rooms and the likes but natural daylight is a design element like no other. Natural light can completely transform a space, enhance its intended purpose, and is a major environmental factor affecting human cognitive function, health and well-being.
We spend significant time at home, and embracing the natural light provides numerous benefits to the mind and body. An increased sense of comfort comes about immediately when eye strain is reduced, there is an improvement in the activity of the nervous system and the regulation of blood pressure, the absorption of vitamin D carries multiple health benefits, and critically it regulates the body for restorative sleep.
From an aesthetic point of view, natural light enhances the visual appeal of interior spaces by highlighting and accentuating architectural elements, textures, and colours. It brings out the true essence of materials used in interior finishes. Well-lit spaces appear more spacious, open and inviting, which has a huge impact on spatial perception.
To embrace the natural light in a space the following must be considered:
Window treatments which maximise natural light where practical
Mirrors can be strategically positioned to reflect natural light coming into a room
Reflective surfaces and finishes bounce light around the space
A gloss finish to the ceiling gives the illusion of height and spaciousness
Study the room’s natural light orientation, across the day, when selecting a colour
Understanding Circadian Rhythm
All of our biological and physiological processes are governed by light. Physical, mental and behavioural changes are all regulated across a 24-hour cycle as light fluctuates from the brightness of daytime to the darkness of night - this internal body clock of ours is known as our circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm governs our sleep-wake cycle but is also responsible for alertness, memory consolidation, digestion, temperature control, hormone production and even cell renewal. Natural light synchronises a person’s circadian rhythm to sunrise and sunset, artificial lighting, however, can dramatically throw this off course. It’s essential to consider this quality of light as well as its intensity when developing a lighting scheme aligned to our body clocks. Warmer temperatures and hues of red, orange and yellow can be likened to a setting sun and will stimulate the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. On the other end of the light spectrum blue light, much the light emitted from digital screens, stimulates us into a state of alertness.
Human-centred lighting systems are designed with well-being in mind. An example would be the radical evolution of full-spectrum circadian LED lighting which mimics the dynamic nature of natural light throughout the day and shifts in light intensity and colour temperature. Other practical considerations include:
Dimmable lighting systems to adjust light intensities across the course of the day
A shift throughout the day from the blue to the red end of the lighting spectrum
Reducing, or ideally eliminating, digital screens in the bedroom.
Blackout window treatments in the bedroom to achieve pitch darkness
Lower level, warmer and dimmable lighting in the bedroom
Motion activated low-level lighting to create safe paths of light at the night
Optimum lighting conditions
Interior lighting should be designed strategically to support the desired mood and behaviours within the particular environment. How we’d like the space to feel, and the intended purpose of the room, will be greatly influenced by the interior lighting.
A layered approach
Light layering creates mood and ambience, with different light layers working either together or independently. A general layer of lighting will wash the space with an even light, illuminating the whole room. Task lighting is implemented for specific activities such as reading, drawing, and social activities. Accent lighting will highlight key areas, objects, or architectural features of interest.
Space perceptions
The balance between natural and artificial lighting characteristics changes the perception of interior spaces, the blend of the two creates a sense of depth and dimension within a space. “Prospect” and “refuge" within a space can be used to meet human psychological needs: Refuge provides an area which feels safe, and secure - one’s ability to hide. Prospect will provide the capacity to observe without being seen, an unhindered view from one room to another for example.
Light temperature
The colour temperature of light is measured using the Kelvin scale and has a fundamental impact on our emotions, moods, and behaviours. Cool white light is stimulating and ideal for social and working environments, rooms lit this way invite us to be more productive and could be ideal for a home office. At the other end of the scale, warm white lights are ideal for restful and more intimate environments like bedrooms.
Light intensity
The brightness of light can greatly affect our mood and emotional state. Bright light can reduce symptoms of depression, while dimmer lighting can create a more relaxed and calming atmosphere. Sharp contrasts in lighting are to be avoided, this requires eyes to constantly adjust to light intensities and may cause distraction and fatigue.
Controlling the environment
Functionality and user experience is not to be underestimated. The careful consideration given to intended purpose of the room, how this changes throughout the day, and subsequently how this might be controlled will allow for the most practical and ergonomic design and placement of lighting control systems. Ease of use is an essential component of stress-free operation.
Considerations include:
The integration of lighting circuits to create the desired ambience with ease.
Dimmable lighting to allow for variable and adjustable light intensities .
A centralised control systems which fully integrates the lighting system with pre-programmed control panels.
Ergonomic placement of switches, bedside switches should be comfortably within arms reach.
