Brightness & Color of Lighting Design

High Brightness

• Bright white lights are common design elements in commercial spaces like retail stores or restaurants where customers need to see products clearly. High brightness in lighting is also an important design consideration in art galleries, offices and other spaces where the light needs to highlight design elements. Lights that produce bright, clear light include LED lighting, halogen and some fluorescent bulbs. Recessed lighting or opaque light fixtures can focus bright light onto certain areas.

Low Light

• Less light in a room makes the room seem cozy and comfortable, so dim lights are more often used in residential homes, restaurants and bars. Low-watt bulbs often produce softer, more dim light, but designers can also get a softer look with frosted bulbs or light fixtures. To diffuse light from bright bulbs, designers often choose lampshades or light fixtures made of thick frosted glass or fabric.

Warm Colors

• Colors like red, orange and yellow are considered warm colors. In lighting design, warmer colors are often paired with lower light because these two elements together give a subjective impression of coziness, friendliness or comfort in the room. Designers must also be aware that warm light will change the look of paint or fabric colors in the room. For example, a light with a yellow tone will make red look more orange, and a reddish light will make blues appear more purple. Warm-toned light is also said to flatter the look of human skin more than cool-toned light. Light sources like flame and daylight produce warm-toned light.

Cool Colors

• Cool colors include blue, green and purple, and bright lights are more often associated with cool colors. These colors are said to give the impression of neatness or efficiency, so bright, cool tone lights are more often used in office spaces or bathrooms. Just like warm colors, cool colors will change the tone of other colors in a room and give white surfaces a bluish or greenish look. Generally, florescent lights produce a cooler light that can be unflattering to human complexions.