Part 1- Light Control

Wellness, as it applies to Interior Design, is a set of evidence based practices and principles that support human health and performance inside the built environment.- Shannon Ggem

Foxes have dens. Birds have nests. Snails have shells. We have our homes.

We are creatures, too. With 100s of 1000s of years of evolutionary biological responses to our environment built into the machinery that is us, our bodies can be supported or harmed by our surroundings. Over the next 5 posts, I’ll cover 5 areas of focus and give you the good, the bad and solutions.

• Light Control
• Sound Control
• Flexibility/Freedom of Use
• Bilateral Symmetry
  &
• Biophilia

LIGHT CONTROL

There are two sides to every topic, including light. Too little is an irritant. Too little is an irritant! Control is the solution. A designer well versed in the wellness related aspects of light control will walk you through the steps of implementing the right controls for your build, remodel or refresh and ensure you are maximizing the befits and minimizing negative impacts.

Light at Night (LAN) is a circadian disruptor and increases risk of depression. It increases obesity. Light pollution is everywhere, and all creatures require dark skies to rest appropriately and remain tied to circadian rhythms.
Because “increased light exposure can affect the regulation of metabolism“
Here are a few strategies to implement right away.

• ensure complete blackout in bedrooms
• use electrical tape to block indicator lights on electronics
• place all outdoor and landscape lighting on timers

Daylight is a benefit to workplace productivity and school performance, however glare and heat can cause visual discomfort and harm school performance. So the answer again, is being able to control light. If a glare occurs and you can draw a shade, problem solved! Here are some ways to harness the beneficial aspects of daylight.

• ensure an ability to control daylight
• consider heat reducing window films
• consider automatic window shades and drapery

Use overmount roman shades in bedrooms, drapery that is blackout lined, have appropriate table lamps, ambient lighting and decorative lighting to reduce eyestrain. Have your contractors install dimmer switches to be in control of your level of lighting. Talk to your designer about kelvin (the temperature of your light bulbs) and ensure it matches. And enjoy good rest, and great productivity in space with appropriate light control!