How Lighting Design Affects Your Mental Health
When it comes to electrical upgrades like lighting, the best results are achieved with thoughtful planning. An experienced lighting designer can make your home or office feel entirely different. The lighting can even make the people in that space act differently.
Let me share a testimony from one of our lighting upgrade customers:
“If I had known what these lights would do for me, we would have had them installed before now. With my old lighting, I was never able to stay home on a rainy, dreary day. It was simply too depressing. When the house was dark, the kids were depressed, and I was not able to handle it. I had to leave the house, or I would go crazy. … But since you updated our lighting, I don’t get depressed on dreary days, I’m able to handle the kids, and life simply looks a lot better. It is so different now. So thanks so much for upgrading the lighting.”
The Science of Lighting Design
Lighting design can be used to intentionally affect the mood and behavior of people in a space. Do you want your living room to feel calm and cozy? Do you want your office to be more productive? One factor could be the lighting design.
Check out this excerpt from an article titled, “How Does Light Regulate Mood and Behavioral State?” found on the National Library of Medicine website:
How Does Light Regulate Mood and Behavioral State?
Understanding how light affects mood has a direct practical implication on the health and well-being of people, especially now more than ever, given that people spend most of their time indoors, exposed to artificial lighting of various qualities that can be controlled. Moreover, useful new perspectives on the control of mood by understanding the mechanisms of light input may gain deeper insights into the general control of mood and reveal new therapeutic approaches for mood disorders.
Do Different Types of Light Affect You in Different Ways?
Did you know there are different “temperatures” of light? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more yellowish lights are considered “warm”, and lights that have a slight blue tint are considered “cool.”
“Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) temperature. Confusingly, higher Kelvin temperatures (3600–5500 K) are what we consider cool, and lower color temperatures (2700–3000 K) are considered warm. Cool light is preferred for visual tasks because it produces higher contrast than warm light. Warm light is preferred for living spaces because it is more flattering to skin tones and clothing. A color temperature of 2700–3600 K is generally recommended for most indoor general and task lighting applications.
The Impact of Warm Lighting
Warm lighting – often characterized by soft, yellow, or orange hues – is associated with feelings of comfort, relaxation, and intimacy. It is thought to encourage social interaction while promoting feelings of happiness and emotional support.
It is typically used in settings like bedrooms, living rooms, and cozy restaurants to create a welcoming and soothing ambiance.
The Impact of Cool Lighting
White and blue hues characterize cool lighting. It is thought to promote productivity, alertness, and even energy levels. People often report that cool lighting helps them concentrate, reduces fatigue, and increases mental clarity.
While it has its benefits, it may also create a sense of emotional detachment.
It is often used in workplaces, educational settings, and retail locations.
How Important is Lighting Design?
The choice of lighting in a given space should consider the intended use and desired emotional impact. Lighting design is a crucial aspect of architecture and interior design, as it can significantly influence the mood and well-being of the occupants.
So I ask you: How is the lighting in your house, workshop, etc.? Is it doing for you what you need?
Does Your Home or Office Need a Lighting Update?
Ron’s Electrical is a full-service electrical contractor delivering every type of electrical upgrade: New breaker boxes, modern LED lights, ceiling fans, wall-mounted TVs, plus electrical system design, rewiring, and other residential and commercial improvements.
The most successful projects begin with proper design.
Give us a call today to schedule an on-site visit to analyze your lighting situation.
