Balcony lighting

The balconies of both modern and houses of the last century, as a rule, do not differ in space. And for many they are used as a storage room or premises for technical needs. But even a small balcony can be used functionally and equip a comfortable study, a cozy workshop, a small living room or a flower greenhouse on it. To do this, you need to take care of the insulation of the balcony and proper lighting. We will talk about which lamps and lamps to choose to expand the space in the article.

Before starting any work related to the repair, you need to make a connection diagram for lighting devices and decide on their type. For a complex lighting system, it will be necessary to additionally stretch the wires from the switchboard to the balcony. Connecting to the network in the apartment in an accessible junction box is quite problematic and can be dangerous. To do this, you need to be sure of the quality of the wires and the number of cores of each cable.

The most elementary and economical way is to provide electricity to the balcony from the nearest outlet. In addition, modern technology allows the use of lamps without electricity. LED strips and some models of lamps run on batteries and accumulators. You only need to periodically charge or change the batteries.

But the most economical option is solar-powered lamps. This is a real discovery not only for the owners of suburban areas, but also for the happy owners of sunny balconies. The unique device does not require constant maintenance and charge on your part.

There are no restrictions on the choice of appliances for a warm balcony. As a lighting device, you can choose a floor lamp, sconces, spotlights and even a small chandelier. Just like the place of installation can be absolutely anything: ceiling, walls, window sill or floor.

Basic rules to follow when choosing lamps for a balcony:

• The more light the better. To change the lighting level according to desire and mood, it is better to use light power regulators.
• Ceiling spotlights require more installation costs. For conventional lamps, it is necessary to prepare a ceiling mount, and for hidden lamps, a false ceiling must be installed. A direct light fixture will visually expand the space.
• A vertical stream of light from wall lamps will visually raise the ceiling and expand the space. The sconce is perfect for various interior options. And to illuminate a small balcony, a couple of lamps are enough.
• A mobile and lightweight floor lamp with a lampshade is the best option for solving the problems of a large family. The floor lamp can be installed near a chair for reading books or near a work desk, or next to a basket of children's toys. A floor lamp with several lamps will help create a decorative effect of semi-darkness and seclusion.

• Do not choose lamps with colored or dark shades and shades.
• Lighting with LED strip will help create unique lighting effects and add romance to the interior of the balcony.
• On an open unglazed balcony, you can use a street garland or LED strip as a backlight. Railings around the perimeter and window openings are the most successful opportunity to arrange bright lights.
• Suspended openwork small chandelier will be the best solution for a miniature cozy balcony. Conversely, if you have a large loggia, the use of multiple ceiling lights can be a unique accent in the interior.
• When combining a balcony with a living room, it is necessary to observe the unity of style in the interior.

The main point that requires special consideration is heating during the cold season. If balcony heating is not provided during the winter period, then it is necessary to choose reliable lamps that are resistant to changes in humidity and temperature. The degree of protection for luminaires for cold balconies must be IP44. If the balcony is glazed and heated, then it is equated to an ordinary living space.

Modern technologies have long been proposing to move away from the use of a single light bulb to illuminate the entire room. Manufacturers offer a wide range of new lighting products.

Which lamps to choose:

1. Widely and ubiquitously used previously conventional incandescent lamps, power from 15 W to 200 W. The price of such products is low, but their service life is very short, about a thousand hours.
2. Fluorescent Lamp has an elongated tube shape and provides a stronger flow of light. These lamps can be installed both on the ceiling and on the wall.
3. Halogen lamps consume less electricity at the same power level.
4. LEDs have the longest service life, are more economical, but they are distinguished by a high price. At the same time, the LED strip has a high degree of protection against dust and moisture and can be used even on an open balcony. Some products have several colors and modes of operation. LED strips with diffused warm light will help you relax and will not get tired.

Balcony lighting can be installed as follows:

• The flat hemispherical shape of the wall lamp does not take up much space and provides an optimal level of illumination. The sconce can serve as the main or additional light.
• Ceiling mount type fits absolutely any balcony. The chandelier should be miniaturized and not set too low. A universal option is spotlights.
• LED lighting is the easiest option to illuminate your balcony. The back of the tape is sticky, so the LED backlight can be attached to any surface, even a spherical shape. As a decorative design, LED strip is almost irreplaceable. In addition, with its help, you can organize the lighting of shelves, niches and cabinets on the balcony. Such a simple technique will help you easily find the right thing and keep order.
• The lighting on the balcony can be mobile. These are, for example, table lamps or floor lamps. If necessary, all devices can be swapped and replaced with new ones.

To create a workplace, you must first of all decide on the choice of furniture and the location of the desk and chair on the balcony. And only then proceed to the choice of lamps.

If the monitor screen has a glossy finish, it is very important to select the fixtures in such a way as to exclude possible reflections on the screen. Ceiling spotlights with diffused light are perfect for this. And as an individual lighting of the working area, you need to use a table swivel lamp.

If you decide to organize a small botanical garden on the balcony, then you need to choose the type of lighting from the characteristics of the plants. Not all flowers can tolerate direct sunlight, so it is likely that you will need to darken some glasses or use different models of blinds. The backlighting of flowers looks incredibly beautiful.

Such devices will not only help the plants to develop, but also bring the necessary mood into the interior of the balcony. And give preference to fluorescent lamps as the main light source. They will create the necessary illumination for violets and other light-loving flowers.

To create a small cozy corner for evening tea or secluded gatherings with family, you can put a sofa with a table on the balcony. There can be many lighting options. For example, a floor lamp in a corner or a wall lamp, a table lamp, or electric and ordinary candles.

If you have chosen spotlights as your main lighting, do not place them in one line in the middle of the ceiling. This arrangement will divide the balcony into even narrow parts and "squeeze" the space. It is better to place the ceiling lights closer to the outside glazing.

For a mini gym on the balcony, choose bright lamps. In the semi-darkness, the body will try to relax and it will be very difficult to practice in such conditions. And in bright and saturated light, training will be more effective.

• An interesting and unusual use of a balcony is a small library. Such an interior needs to be complemented by a comfortable large armchair and a floor lamp, and wonderful evenings with your favorite writers are guaranteed.
• Miniature lamps and candlesticks on the windowsill create an amazing romantic setting.
• The LED strip for lighting the floor is easy to attach and looks very original.

• The LED strip or garland on the balcony wall looks very original.
• Those who like to think alone and enjoy the silence will love the bright classic-style balcony. A light small chandelier will give an optimal level of light even in cloudy weather.

You will learn about the installation of the lamp on the loggia with your own hands from the following video.