Apartment Lighting

Track Lighting

LED track lighting is perfectly suited to use in apartments, offering flexibility and endless options for customisation. It can suit a range of building styles, from converted industrial spaces to sleek, modern architecture or even traditional settings.

Track is available in lengths of 1m, 2m or 3m. These lengths can be joined together, using connector accessories, to produce a scheme of your chosen shape and size, from squares to T- or U-shapes. Track lighting heads simply click on to the track, and can be moved up and down. This means that you can place light exactly where it’s needed, and if your interiors change, the lighting scheme can be updated too.

For simple installation, track can be surface-mounted, or if your ceilings are high, track can be suspended using adjustable wires. Recessing track is another option if you prefer to keep the ceiling clear and uncluttered, although this isn’t suitable for all ceiling surfaces.

Using track lighting in an apartment helps create zones for relaxing, dining or working within an open plan space, and can keep light fittings low-profile if you need to maximise limited space.

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Linear Pendant Lighting

Linear profile lights are effectively long boxes of light, and offer an elegant and architectural alternative to track lighting. They are available in standard lengths of 1.5m or 3m, but it is possible to customise the size.

As with track, linear profiles can be surface mounted or suspended, with wires that can be adjusted to hang the light at your preferred height. This is useful if you have high ceilings, or if you want a statement fixture to hang over a kitchen island or dining table. Recessing is more complex, but possible, though usually more common in retail stores than in domestic settings.

These linear pendant fittings can blend seamlessly into a variety of interiors. They are available in an Australian timber finish, for a rustic look, as well as aluminium. Timber profiles are lightly varnished to highlight the grain, or aluminium profiles are available in a Black, White or Anodised Silver finish.

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Types Of Lighting

Apartments vary in scale from luxurious penthouses to petite spaces which must maximise every available square inch. In either case, an apartment light scheme needs to be functional, sensitive to your decor and create a warm and relaxing environment.

Lighting requirements will change from room to room, but as a general rule, you will need a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting.

Ambient lighting is the general wash of light which is the backdrop to any lighting scheme. It provides a base level of light, and sets the atmosphere and mood. You can achieve this with track lighting heads that have a wide beam angle.

Task lighting provides specific, directional light in areas where specific tasks may require brighter illumination. Examples of this might be food preparation areas or the stovetop in the kitchen, or a study area. A narrow beam track light will deliver more concentrated light in these areas.

Accent lighting is a way to complement and enhance your decor. It is used to highlight decorative or architectural features, for example a detailed architrave around the ceiling, a special display on a bookshelf or in a cabinet, or a piece of artwork.

A blend of these three elements provides a layered lighting solution that answers functional needs, and creates an inviting ambience.

Other considerations

Floor Plan

When designing any lighting scheme, it’s vital to first look at your floor plan and work out where light is needed. You should consider where fixtures, fittings and furniture are located. This will give you an overview of how the space is used and the type of light needed in each area, as well as flag any other considerations such as applicable IP ratings if you are using track in the bathroom.

Lighting Controls

The amount of light you need varies according to the time of day, and so the natural light available, and how a space is being used, as well as your mood and desired ambience.

Lighting controls allow you to choose which lights to use, and to set the dimming level. It can be useful to group lights on circuits, to control them together. For example, in an open space living area you may want to have lights over a dining table on a separate circuit to those close to the television.

Natural Lighting

The amount of natural light available in an apartment often depends on the size and style of the building. Living spaces may have floor to ceiling windows, and bathrooms have no natural light at all.

The amount and direction of natural light should be considered when planning any lighting scheme. Bear in mind the number of windows (and any glass doors), and whether the room gets morning or afternoon light.

Colour Temperature

The colour temperature of light is determined by how ‘warm’ it seems to the eye, on a scale which is measured in Kelvin, represented as K. Warm light, which has yellow tones, is at the lower end of the scale, and cooler light, with more blue tones, is at the higher end.

Warm White

Warm white is around 3000K, and is a soft light which could be compared to fire or candlelight. This atmospheric quality makes it a preferred choice for use in the home, as it creates a relaxing ambience.

Cool White

A cool white light is around 5000K, and more similar to natural daylight. It’s useful for lighting in offices where detailed work is carried out, but can be a little harsh in the home.