How Do You Choose Lighting Fixtures For An Open Floor Plan?
Lighting is one of the most important elements in any interior design scheme, perhaps second only to color. Lighting influences the overall mood of a room and determines the functional character of the space as well. The design of proper lighting in an open floor plan or a “great room” is especially challenging because of the larger size and architectural character of the space. Use extra care to avoid lighting “voids.” “Wash” the space with light. Provide for overhead lighting that will cover the room with a broad “brush” of light. This can be accomplished with recessed ceiling “cans” or “pot lights” equipped with flood-type bulbs. Pot lights should be placed around the perimeter of the space on 48-inch centers approximately 24 inches away from the walls, according to the American Lighting Association. For extremely large rooms, it may be necessary to install a row of pot lights down the mid-line of the room in order to fill in the center of the space with “wash.” Avoid using any tube
