Apartment renovation- Lighting Suggestions for Dark Railroad apartment

I think in situations where there’s low levels of natural light, it’s important to have fixtures that illuminate the room in a way that is discreet. In other words, fixtures shouldn’t have a tight focus, should be indirect, and should obscure their bulb in some manner. When people can’t immediately pinpoint the source of the light, they are more likely to accept it as natural.??

Examples of good light fixtures when there’s low natural light: – Pendants – Chandeliers – Floor lamps – Up lighting in general – Multiple sources of light?? – Dimmers – Frosted incandescent bulbs – Warm color temperature LED bulbs?? (Home Depot sells dim-able Phillips LED’s that work great)

Examples of BAD light fixtures when there’s low natural light: – Visible light bulbs – Down lighting – Fixtures mounted directly on the ceiling – Track lighting – Recessed lighting -??Fluorescent of any kind (If you MUST go fluorescent, cover the bulbs with a ‘minus green’ gel filter that’s available at tv& theatrical supply stores or online. It will reduce the uneasiness that the bulbs tend to emit)

It’s a good idea to attempt to illuminate the ceiling. Light colored ceilings easily reflect light, which helps obscure it’s source. ??Think of it like the sky- it’s all lit up. It’s ok if a light has a shade or frosted glass as long as you’re not seeing the bare bulb from the ground.??The overall goal is to light the room with reflected light, so get fixtures that can be mounted low and point them upward.??

It’s good to avoid having a single source of light – since it will cast some ugly shadows. Instead, consider multi-bulb chandeliers, or multiple lights so that coverage is more uniform. It’s good to have multiple sources as well so that different levels of light can be set at night vs. day. Perhaps have a chandelier, but then also have wall sconces on a separate control for the evening.??

citystreetnick

in Brownstoner Renovation 13 years and 11 months ago

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ahmedmsaad | 13 years and 11 months ago

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Hi everyone, I am renovating a rental in my building and want to help make the apartment more appealing to renters. I am putting in a new floor (natural color oak) and redoing the bathroom as well as the kitchen cabinets. However, I know that in the railroad apartment, the further I go back from the main street, the darker the apartment gets. What kind of lighting options could I go with to make each room not seem so dreary / look like “natural” light. The layout of the apartment is as follows from the main street backwards.

Thanks!

Bedroom 1 (most well-lit)
Small living space 1
Kitchen/Dining area
Hallway
Small living spae 2
Bedroom 2

tinarina | 13 years and 11 months ago

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Can you put in some halogen cans? Their light is closest to sunlight IMO, and the bulbs last a long time. If you don’t want to put in cans (the bane of Brownstoner!) you could find appropriate fixtures that work with halogen bulbs.

it’s nice that you’re putting so much thought into making a nice rental!