Is the Lighting in my space affecting me?
There are several factors in interior design that could affect a person's mental and psychological health. Lighting is one of them. The lighting in a space could have both positive and negative effects on the human mood and emotions. Light sources could be either artificial from light bulbs or natural from the sun and daylight. Both natural and artificial lighting is useful in a space and they both have positive and negative effects on human emotions and mood. These effects are dependent on the level of admittance of natural light and/or the kind of or way artificial light is used.
This article will discuss the psychological effects of lighting based on the following: light color, light brightness and, saturation.
· Effects of light based on brightness
Bright light intensifies the emotions. Any emotional state can be magnified by bright light. If you are happy, you will feel happier, and if you are sad, you will feel sadder. Any emotion, both positive and negative is intensified by bright light. If a beautiful lady comes under bright light, she will appear more beautiful. The same applies to a less attractive lady. Her unattractiveness would be intensified under bright light. Even the meaning of words both positive and negative and the taste of food is intensified under bright light. On the other hand, dim lights stabilize any emotional state, thereby making a person make calmer and more rational choices.
· Effect of light based on color
In the same way color affects our moods and emotions, the color of lighting could equally affect how we feel. The color of light is determined by the temperature. “Cooler temperatures of around 5 000–7 000k (kelvin) result in blue/white light tones, which have been linked to an increase in productivity and focus.”
Blue light decreases the tendency to sleep and makes one feel more alert and productive. However, as blue/white light keeps us awake and alert, they tend to make us sleep less, therefore not appropriate for bedtime.
On the other hand, warmer light like yellow, red, or amber (of around 2000–3000 kelvin) encourages relaxation and sleep. They are appropriate for bedtime, especially to counterbalance the effect of blue/white light encountered during work hours.
· Effects of light based on saturation
The intensity of the color of light is referred to as Saturation. As with the brightness of light, the saturation of a hue acts on the emotions. A more saturated hue intensifies the emotion and would make a person respond as he or she would under bright light. Similarly, a less saturated, darker, or muted shade calms the emotions like a dim light would and cause a person to respond how he or she would respond under dim light.
Having known the effect of brightness, color, and saturation of light on human mood and emotions, here is how to effectively use light in interior design spaces for emotional wellbeing:
We have learned that bright light intensifies the emotion while dim light stabilizes it. Blue/white light makes us alert and productive while yellow, red, or amber light encourages relaxation. It is, therefore, appropriate to use blue/white light activity areas like the home office, regular offices, kitchen, and dining, etc. Lights with lower intensity in muted and warmer colors like yellow, are best suited for relaxation areas like the bedroom, living room, and possibly the bathroom if it is meant for relaxation. For spaces with multi-purpose, a well-layered lighting of blue/white color and yellow color with individual dimmers and switches that allow them to be adjusted according to the needs as well as turned on and off when needed is appropriate.
Generally, natural light is necessary to boost our overall emotional and mental wellbeing. It is therefore advisable to have adequate window openings in your spaces for sufficient natural light admittance.
Having known the psychological effect of light on humans, it is important to have the correct lighting scheme in your space for more productive and enriching living. If you feel the lighting scheme of your home or office is not appropriate for living and productivity, consider adjusting the lighting scheme or changing it completely. It is advisable to get a professional interior designer to carry out the service of changing or adjusting the lighting scheme of your space or advise you where necessary. Fiona Philips Design Studio is a reliable interior design studio for your lighting services.
