In order to create a happy, warm and comfortable Hygge space atmosphere in Northern Europe, interior lighting design and lighting configuration play a crucial role. Lighting is the soul of a space, but it is the most easily overlooked aspect in the lives of Taiwanese consumers. How to quickly master the key points when planning home lighting design ? Louis Poulsen, a century-old Danish lighting brand well-known in the world of design, will sort out the three key points of Nordic interior lighting design for you.

Nordic interior lighting design. Indoor lighting configuration features: starting with natural light

Denmark is located in the Northern Hemisphere and only briefly enjoys long hours of sunshine during the summer. In winter, the climate is cold, rainy and snowy, and the daylight hours are short. It only gets light at 8:30 in the morning and gets dark at about 3:00 in the afternoon. For the Nordic people, sunlight is very precious. Due to the desire to create a feeling of natural light in the home, the lighting configuration of the indoor lighting design will be based on a lighting mode close to natural light .

In Nordic interior spaces, not only will there be large pieces of floor-to-ceiling glass to introduce natural light, but there will also be candlelight and fireplaces that are close to the color temperature of natural light, because the strong and dazzling direct light from incandescent bulbs cannot create a hygge, comfortable and warm space atmosphere, and the space In the lighting design planning , whether it is main lighting or auxiliary lighting, lamps that are glare-free and close to the color temperature of natural light will be selected.

Nordic interior lighting design. Lighting philosophy for indoor lighting configuration: Island of light

Nordic lighting design master Poul Henningsen ’s indoor lighting configuration . The idea of ​​indoor lighting design is to place the lamp where you need the light - the entire space will not be illuminated with just one lamp or with consistent light, but to plan the indoor lighting configuration according to the needs of people in different spatial locations, and match the candlelight , small islands of light (Islands of light) are planned in the space, creating soft and pleasant light, and at the same time forming indoor lighting with gentle, gradual and interlaced light and shadow transitions.

People's brains and eyes prefer natural light. The sun rises slowly in the morning and sets slowly in the evening. The slow and gradual conversion process of light is truly in line with people's habits and makes people feel comfortable and happy. It is not like a light switch that switches instantly. When it is turned on, it is fully bright, and when it is turned off, the space is completely dark.

Louis Poulsen, the Nordic lighting king and Danish lighting brand with a century history, has extended and applied Poul Henningsen's "island of light" concept. In addition to configuring a main light to illuminate the entire space, the space lighting plan will also be equipped with standing lamps (floor lamps) or table lamps to make the lighting light in the entire space more layered. Through the configuration of different lamps, the light will form a pattern from bright to dark. The transition creates several soft light sources at different heights in the space, creating a unique Nordic space atmosphere.

How to configure indoor lighting? According to the space usage needs, Clarify the nature of lighting and then plan

The focus of Nordic interior lighting design and interior lighting configuration planning is no more than three major categories, including what are the lighting needs in a specific space? What are the usage scenarios? Do I need to configure general lighting, functional lighting, or atmosphere lighting? The following is an explanation of the lighting planning for the four major spaces: living room, kitchen, dining room, room and bathroom:

1. Living room lighting design configuration and living room lamp selection

When configuring indoor lighting in the living room, you will first confirm two parts:

• How many lights do you plan to install in the living room?
• What do you usually do in the living room? Lounging on the couch? Chatting over coffee? Reading, watching TV? Listen to music? Or display some special decorations, such as paintings or collectibles?

After the needs are clarified, you can further confirm what indoor lighting configuration is needed in the living room. For example, do reading areas require functional lighting? Do dark corners require auxiliary lighting? Does the placement of paintings or collections require lighting? How to use different lamps interactively to create a hygge atmosphere?

▲ Picture: Louis Poulsen PH Artichoke pinecone chandelier / AJ standing lamp / PH Snowball snowball chandelier

2. Lighting design and lighting configuration of kitchen lighting and restaurant lighting

When planning the kitchen lighting configuration , you should clarify:

• Is the kitchen also a work area?
• In addition to cooking, is the kitchen also a dining space?
• Does it include usage scenarios such as gathering with friends and family to chat?

▲ Picture: Louis Poulsen AJ wall lamp

▲ Picture: Louis Poulsen Toldbod glass chandelier

Kitchen lighting and restaurant lighting configuration principles include:

• Functional main lighting should be configured above the kitchen countertop
• When cooking and dining, it is important to have both color and flavor. The lighting in the kitchen and restaurant must faithfully present the color of the food.
• Good lighting above the dining table: Dining table chandeliers in Nordic spaces are usually hung at a relatively low position, that is, not far from the top of the table. The purpose is to ensure that there is sufficient light for the food on the table and the people dining around the table. , while creating a better space atmosphere

▲ Picture: Louis Poulsen PH Snowball chandelier

Nordic dining table chandeliers are usually hung at a height not far above the tabletop, and are also placed on the tabletop. Candles create an atmospheric atmosphere with multiple light sources

Extended reading: Four keys to dining table chandelier height, dining table chandelier size, and space configuration

3. Design, configuration and planning of room lighting

Most of the time in the bedroom is spent resting. When it comes to the choice of indoor lighting configuration and lighting design planning , the brightness will not be too high, but will favor warm and soft light with color temperature. Generally speaking, room lights are roughly divided into the following three types, which can be configured according to the actual needs of the space:

• Main lighting: You can choose chandelier or ceiling lamp as the main light of the space
• Reading lamp: Most of them will choose a table lamp. If there is no bedside table or there is no place on the bedside table to place a table lamp, a smaller diameter chandelier will be hung above the bed, or a standing lamp or wall lamp will be configured as a bedside lamp.
• Work light: For desk work lights, if you focus on functional lighting, you will choose a desk lamp with a glass shade that can diffuse the light source, or a desk lamp that concentrates the light source directly downwards without glare.

▲The lighting configuration of the room is mainly warm and soft color temperature. Picture (left): Louis Poulsen PH Artichoke pine cone pendant lamp / PH 4/3 table lamp , picture (middle): PH 2/1 wall lamp , picture (right): AJ Table table lamp

The room lights should be soft and not too bright. You can plan a main light (chandelier) with a table lamp or wall lamp as an auxiliary light source. For the work table, you can choose a table lamp with concentrated light downwards. (Picture left to right: PH Artichoke pinecone pendant lamp / PH 4/3 table lamp , PH 2/1 wall lamp , AJ mini table lamp )

Extended reading: Selection of room lights, room lighting color and lighting planning skills revealed

4. Selection, design and planning of bathroom lighting

Frequently asked questions about bathroom lighting selection include: What lights are suitable for the bathroom? How many lights should be installed in the bathroom?

What kind of lights are suitable for bathrooms? Common bathroom lighting options include wall sconces or ceiling lights. Since the bathroom is highly humid and foggy, it is recommended to choose lamps with IP international protection grade certification and waterproof and dustproof effects .

What is IP protection (waterproof and dustproof) rating ? IP is International Protection Marking , also known as Ingress Protection Rating or IP Code or " waterproof level " or " dustproof level ".

IP dustproof and waterproof rating comparison table

IP dustproof rating (1st digit)	IP waterproof rating (2nd digit)
1: Can prevent solid objects larger than 50mm from entering	1: Prevents water droplets
2: Prevents entry of solid objects larger than 12.5 mm	2: Can prevent water droplets at an angle of 15 degrees
3: Prevents greater than 3 mm of solid entry	3: Can prevent water splash at 60 degree angle
4: Can prevent greater than 1.0 mm of solid entry	4: Can prevent water splashing from any angle
5: Can prevent some dust and powder from entering	5: Can prevent water jets from all angles
6: Completely prevents dust and powder from entering	6: Can prevent powerful splashing water jets
	7: Can be submerged in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes intermittently
	8: Continuously sinks into water up to 13 feet deep

IP rating comparison table

Image source: BJCS

The two numbers behind IP, the first number represents the solid particle protection level, and the second number represents the liquid penetration protection level. The higher the two numbers, the better the protection. For example, the Louis Poulsen Flindt wall light has an IP65 protection rating and is completely dust-proof and liquid-penetration resistant to low-pressure water jets, ensuring safety and making it an excellent choice for bathroom lighting.

▲ Picture: Louis Poulsen Flindt wall lamp It is IP65, completely dust-proof, and the liquid penetration protection can also reach the level of protection against low-pressure water jets.

How many lights should be installed in the bathroom? Varies according to actual needs. Ceiling lights can provide sufficient, even downward light in small bathrooms. For larger bathrooms, the concept of light islands can be applied and lamps can be placed where light sources are needed. Taking the wall lamp as a bathroom light as an example, it is recommended to install a wall lamp on the left and right sides above the mirror or on each side of the mirror. The user can get sufficient light when putting on makeup or tidying up, and will not be affected by only one lamp. The light casts a shadow on the face in the mirror.

▲ Picture: Louis Poulsen AJ Eklipta wall lamp

▲ Picture: Louis Poulsen AJ wall lamp

Consumers in the Asian market always have a myth that a space only needs to be equipped with one main light, and the brighter the better. In a space with only one lamp, the light is divergent, without contrast or hierarchy, and the displays in the space will not be particularly highlighted by the light. In addition, people will quickly feel uncomfortable in extremely bright spaces.

In fact, human eyes are always attracted to light. When there are different light sources, it can focus the vision. When configuring indoor lighting , only by configuring lamps of different types and heights in the space can create a good space atmosphere. In the Nordic Danish style space, lighting is a very important link, and it is also the key to determining the quality of the space atmosphere. Choosing lamps that are close to natural light and without glare effects, and applying the concept of light islands to configure lamps in different spaces, is the essence of Nordic interior lighting design planning.

Further reading:

• Four keys to space configuration of dining table chandelier height and restaurant chandelier size
• Collect the 10 most popular recommended models of Nordic chandeliers at once
• The selection of room lights and room light color photo tips revealed
• How to choose a bedside lamp? 4 must-read tips for buying bedside lamps
• Louis Poulsen not only designs lamps but also lights