Interior designers know how the importance of good lighting can transform a home, but it’s a difficult task to master. Homeowners often spend a great deal of time and money on home improvements only to get stuck when it comes to lighting up.

Whether your property is large or small, traditional or modern, good lighting design can help transform the mood at the flick of a switch. With dark nights fast approaching, leading electrical regulatory body NICEIC, offers some practical advice that will help to lighten up your life.

Placement
It’s best to place lights at a height where the bulb can’t be seen directly to avoid and reduce any glare. Don’t hang pendants so high that the bulb is clearly visible underneath from below and if lights are to be positioned over or near reflective surfaces like glass then make sure they have a diffuser.

Part L of the Building Regulations (in England and Wales) was introduced by government on 6 April 2006, and it concerns the implementation of energy efficiency measures.

These regulations raise the energy efficiency of new buildings by 40%, compared with the Part L 2002 requirements. They also improve compliance by introducing new energy performance requirements for building services within all new buildings. The time for the building industry to comply with the new regulations has been tightened, and the transitional arrangements have been cut from the expected maximum of three years to just 12 months. Therefore all new buildings without full building plans approved by 6 April 2006 by the local authority, must comply with the new Part L requirements from 6 April 2006.

The new Part L requirements are as follows: