Lighting on the balcony

This part of the apartment, like a balcony, has long been used not only as a place for drying clothes and folding unnecessary things. Designers everywhere suggest using a glazed loggia as an extension of a room or equipping it for a separate room, for example, a private office. It is in these cases that it is just necessary to properly planned lighting.

When choosing lamps it is necessary to build on the purpose for which the balcony will be used. Thus, when creating a place for rest, ordinary lamps in the form of LED strips, ceiling chandeliers or wall sconces, providing moderately warm lighting, will suffice. The market also provides a huge selection of lamps with the ability to control the degree of illumination.

Gradually expand the functionality of the loggias. Therefore, the use of the balcony becomes possible at any time of the day.

Before you install electrical wiring and lamps, it is necessary to determine the intensity of illumination of the room and the role assigned to it.

Possible types of lighting:

• General purpose;
• Decorative;
• Orienting;
• Combined;
• Exposition.

Differences are also present depending on the method of installation of lamps:

• Ceiling;
• Wall mounted;
• Suspended.

Lamps of direct light are mounted on ceilings of any height, and the beam is directed exclusively down from the source. Diffusers allow the rays of light to spread around the perimeter of the room. For more intense lighting is enough to use a more powerful lamp. Reflecting the same lamps create a spectacular play of light, which is very important in the composition with reflective ceilings.

Still, when operating a balcony as a working space, sources of direct light will do. The lack of illumination is successfully compensated by a desk lamp or a floor lamp.

The use of LED strip allows you to roam the fantasy, since this method is relevant for any room design. It is convenient to mount the tape due to its flexibility and the presence of a self-adhesive side. The design consists of many small LEDs, the brightness of which can be adjusted, as well as the possibility of using other, no less spectacular modes.

Mounting point light sources will allow you to adjust the degree of illumination, as well as save electricity. Lamps are a compact device consisting of several LED light bulbs. Such a design can be partially exploited, which allows achieving one or another effect in the room. This is especially true for large and long loggias.

The advantage of such lamps is their versatility. For example, with their help you can focus on a specific place or object in the room. Also, devices can be just a decorative part of the interior.

Before choosing the light sources, you need to decide on the degree of illumination of the room. Therefore, it is necessary to choose appliances depending on their location on the balcony.

If the balcony is open (that is, not glazed), then preference should be given to special street wall lamps and lamps. Such devices are equipped with protection against moisture and dust. This option is also relevant for rooms with high humidity levels. This will help to avoid a possible electrical breakdown or short circuit.

In the case when the loggia is not insulated or partially glazed, it is necessary to take into account the technical characteristics of lighting devices, including the possibility of using them at low temperatures.

The most common method of mounting fixtures - wall. This method is good for the upper floors, as well as in the absence of the possibility of operating a ceiling lamp.

Ceiling lights, as a rule, are able to provide the maximum degree of illumination. Such devices are suspended and recessed into the ceiling. Suspended mounted either on the suspension or on the ceiling itself. These include classic chandeliers or plate-shaped lamps. Built-in appliances are used mainly on suspended ceiling or plasterboard ceilings.

Lamps spot can be mounted on the ceiling, wall or on the legs. The advantage of such lamps is the ability to change the direction of the light flux. Lamps are perfect for recreation areas and for balconies with flowers and other vegetation. Lamps are especially loved by fans of violets, as they maintain the level of light they need.

Wiring methods are of two types:

• Outdoor;
• Hidden.

With self-installation of cable, the use of cable channels is popular. They are plastic boxes with a rectangular cross-section, which allow you to place in yourself all the necessary cables and wires.Cable channels can be purchased in the required size at any hardware store.

The use of cable channels will harmoniously fit into any interior balcony without damaging the integrity of the finish. Using boxes does not take much time and effort. In addition, manufacturers offer a wide range of color cable channel options.

If there is no desire to install the box or fasten the corrugation, and there is no possibility to install hidden wiring, then there is a way to connect the lamps through special baseboards.

The best option would be to make a wiring to the lighting system from the nearest outlet, located in the next room or kitchen. As a power element, it is better to choose a wire made of aluminum or copper, the cross section of which will be either 2x1.5 or 3x1.5 mm2. This choice depends on the desired power of the lighting devices.

Also, the option of deepening the wire ingrooves, pre-placing it in a corrugated pipe (corrugation) or a plastic box (cable channel). However, this kind of occupation requires an exact calculation and time, and the pens themselves must later be smeared with asbestos and putty. This type of electrical wiring is more appropriate in the overhaul of the premises or in the initial stages of construction.

Indoors loggia cables from the outlet, lighting system and the wire from the switch are connected in the wiring box, which must be fixed at a level not lower than one and a half meters from the floor. The system is always checked for operability before use.

When installing and operating the lighting system, it is necessary to remember the safety rules, as well as without fail to pre-turn off the electricity in the room through the panel.

When creating an atmosphere for an evening rest, the installation of heat dissipating lamps is most appropriate.Also suitable floor lamps with lampshades of fabric or in the form of candles, spotlights and wall sconces.

For a working atmosphere, lamps should harmoniously fit into the overall interior design and give enough light. In addition to the main lighting, you can use table lamps, spotlights or special LED USB lamps.

Gardeners and flower growers have enough original and creative spot lamps. To create a mystical or fabulous atmosphere, you can complement the interior with wall sconces or spotlights.

It is worth noting that the LED strip is in perfect harmony with other light sources. For example, with the help of several types of luminaires, the room can be divided into zones, and the LED strip harmoniously complements the interior and creates the effect of a smooth transition from one zone to another.

However, with a short stay on the balcony, for example, if a dressing room or a supply cabinet is equipped there, you can use wireless spotlights.The devices are available in a wide variety of shapes and colors, are battery operated and have a sticky side for operation. This allows you to move lamps on the surface without damaging the finish of the room and does not require additional work before the start of operation.

How to independently spend light on a balcony or a loggia, you can learn in the following video.