Balcony lighting

Previously, there was practically no choice of bulbs: only an incandescent lamp with a yellow light, soft and familiar. Tubes with blue cold light now and then met in the hallways, which greatly helped to diversify the interior. This was the end of all the variations. And it’s a rare case to bring the light onto the balcony, and the use of the balcony was closer to the pantry model. Whether it is now, when this cherished, albeit modest in size, space is being turned into an elegant corner. Let there be light in him.

Balcony and loggia as an additional comfortable space on the territory of the apartment - the norm of the time. If this space is insulated, glazed, the question of the presence of lighting in it is not questioned. After all, in fact, it, the space, becomes an additional room - yes, small, but quite functional. And it will be difficult to do without light sources there.

A socket as such is not required, the lamps run on batteries. Only closed lamps can be used on balconies - other forms are impossible, as precipitation and wind become a dangerous provocateur.

Why light is needed on the balcony - 5 reasons.

1. The functionality of the balcony is increased. It can also be used in the dark, which in winter equals almost half a day.
2. Lighting creates a mood, creates an atmosphere that contributes to the appearance of recreation and relaxation areas on the balcony.
3. It so happens that the function of a balcony or loggia changes over time. For example, a mini-office or a mini-workshop of a needlewoman is formed there. And if the light has already been applied, the rework will be faster.
4. Lighting can act as one of the tools to visually expand the space.
5. If the loggia is very large and can be transformed into a small gym, study, workshop, game or relaxation area, it is difficult not to take advantage of this opportunity. And conducting electricity there will be a must.

Fortunately, the choice of luminaires and their placement, as well as the types of lamps, allows for the most interesting ideas.

If the glazing area is large, then natural daylight will be sufficient for the balcony to function during daylight hours without attracting additional sources. But even with panoramic windows, backlighting is indispensable in the evenings.

Traditional ceiling lights can be pendant or spotlights. These can be fixtures with static bulbs or devices with rotary mechanisms. Rotary devices are convenient in that they easily change the direction of the light. It's hard not to mention the traditional chandeliers that can appear on the balcony as well. Especially if that one is stylized, for example, in an east direction.

Rail lights are considered popular, which are also attached to the ceiling. More precisely, rails are attached to the ceiling, along which these lamps will "ride". Perhaps they look more advantageous in large rooms, but loggias with balconies are different. A good option for loft style.

Sconces will look especially impressive in such secluded, modest rooms, where most often a person spends time alone.They give a good background light, calm and subdued. Suitable for relaxation, dinner and breakfast on the balcony. There may be several of them on the wall, it depends on the request of the apartment owners. They can be located symmetrically on the sides of the front door.

If there is a work table on the balcony, a lamp will appear there as well.

A working corner on a balcony or loggia is the best option for those who work remotely, and sometimes he lacks space and silence in the main territory of the apartment.

This is the name of the luminaires that are installed in suspended ceilings. Usually there are 4-6 of them in such a ceiling, but in this case everything will depend on the size of the balcony and the owner's requirements. It is quite possible that there are enough of them on the balcony, otherwise the space will turn out to be disharmonious. With other methods of ceiling decoration, spot lighting is problematic.

But not only different lamps can appear in the balcony space, but also the types of lamps.

A common light source that is rapidly losing its popularity. The light bulb is cheap, but does not promise long-term use. Now such lamps are less relevant, and in terms of light temperature, they do not leave room for maneuver.

They are characterized by a powerful luminous flux, when compared with the same incandescent lamps - 8 times more powerful.

The total resource of work is 8 thousand hours. But they are also more expensive than incandescent lamps.

In terms of luminous flux, they are identical to incandescent lamps, but in terms of energy consumption they are more profitable than the latter. They consume half of it. And in terms of shape, halogen light sources will be more interesting.

There is no more economical light source. The service life of such a lamp is approaching 50 thousand hours. This means that they will last 50 times longer when compared to incandescent bulbs. The analysis is simple, the initial cost of an LED light bulb will pay off faster.

There are several basic rules that answer the question of what to do with the organization of lighting on the balcony.

• If this is a resting place, not a work area, and the light should be either diffused or dim, spotlights in the ceiling and (or) sconces will be enough. The sconce can be hung near the doorway; on a small balcony, such a solution may well be enough.
• If there are cabinets on the loggia, you can organize internal lighting in them. LED strip does best with this kind of localized lighting.
• If the owners know for sure that they will read or work with documents on the balcony, lamps with turn signals will be an excellent option - the light can be controlled and directed in the right direction.
• If the balcony is conceived precisely as a cozy place for reading, but it is still difficult to conduct electricity there, you can use the loop connection and put a floor lamp on the balcony. It will turn out to be very organic and cozy. Moreover, it is not necessary to buy a new one, it is also possible on sites where people sell old or simply unnecessary things to each other, among which there are also Soviet-style floor lamps. A small restoration, replacement of the lampshade for the style of the balcony, and such a device will last for years.
• The switch can be positioned under the windowsill if you don't want it to be conspicuous.
• Battery-powered bedside lamps and wireless lights are a good option when the balcony has already been decorated, and the problem of electricity on it has not yet been resolved. Even without wiring, you can fill the space with light, but not for reading, but for other relaxation.
• And if a mirror hangs on the balcony or loggia, it will be beautiful to decorate it with a one-color garland. This immediately makes the room more comfortable, intimate and warm.

The logical question is where to organize the connection points for the fixtures. And here, too, there are several options.

• Apartment board. The implementation of this option is considered the most time consuming, because the electrical wiring must be carried out over a long distance, almost through the entire apartment. If only the balcony option is made, it can hardly be called convenient. But if a new apartment is being renovated, and every room is being renovated, the solution becomes more affordable. What is the main advantage of connecting from the dashboard is the ability to connect not only light, but also more powerful energy consumers - for example, a heater, computer, etc.

• Junction box in the room leading to the balcony. The most common option. The switchbox located in the wall becomes the point from which a new line is drawn to the balcony or loggia. Difficulties can arise in such a scenario, because not all cables a priori are suitable to make another consumer connected. For example, if the diameter of the cable core is not enough, the new light source (that is, plus one to the existing ones) will not pull the cable.

• Socket from the room leading to the balcony. This connection is usually called a loopback connection. If the junction box is located far from the balcony, this option is applicable. That is, there are no sockets on the balcony itself, and the lamp or sconces will turn on in the next room. It turns out that a balcony without electricity becomes illuminated without holding outlets there, etc.

Not everyone will dare to do such not the simplest electrical work with their own hands, and it is not worth the risk.

Perhaps he will also tell you how, in a particular case, it is more profitable to organize the conduction of electricity to the balcony.

It should be said about warm and cold light, which greatly affect the design of the balcony space. Cool light, interestingly, is borrowed from nature - this is what the invigorating sun looks like in the morning. Therefore, it is not entirely correct to call such lighting unnatural. Most of the respondents who answered the question of preference for warm or cold light in the living room, vote for the first. It is believed that it "puts less pressure on the eyes", creates a more relaxed, home environment. Warm light makes things softer, and even people's faces look more attractive with it.

It is up to the owners to decide, but the general tendency outlines the priority of warm light over cold. How a balcony or loggia with lighting will look like can be carefully considered with good examples.

Lighting on the balcony - light solutions:

• pendant lamps in the form of a lantern in the amount of three pieces look good, perhaps in this interior it is worth adding another black decorative element for the balance of colors;

• airy transparent chandeliers look original and more profitable than built-in point ones, as they add style to the interior of the loggia;

• in addition to hanging chandeliers, a battery-powered garland is used in wall vases, which greatly affects the evening perception of the room, fills the loggia with magic;

• retro light bulbs do not need a plafond, since they are decorative in themselves, it is obvious that ceiling built-in lamps are also used in this space;

• another example of how a wireless light source affects the mood in the territory - softens colors, adds coziness, adjusts to relaxation;

• such a laconic ceiling solution will suit bright balconies, and an interesting wall lamp will highlight the desired area;

• lamps with a rotary mechanism shine in the right direction, depending on what to do on the balcony - and this is very convenient, and each time the space will be a little different.

From a classic chandelier to an LED strip, there are many options, and the combination of the appearance of the balcony with its lighting is presented in even more interesting combinations worthy of repetition.