DALLAS, Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- It's getting
dark earlier, the weather is turning cooler, and staying home is
more popular than ever. For many homeowners, the changing season
means it's time for a media room update. The first step to creating
the perfect space for sports viewing and family movie time is to
provide proper lighting. According to the American Lighting
Association (ALA), the key to media room enjoyment is to
eliminate screen glare.
No matter how tasty the snacks and comfortable the seats, glare
can ruin the watching experience. Lighting experts from the ALA,
recommend layering the room's lighting to produce indirect light.
Instead of one single light in the center of the room, using
multiple types of lighting that can be separately controlled with a
central control system is the best way to achieve optimal viewing
conditions.
"One very effective type of lighting is to use recessed
downlights on the perimeter of the space, but not above the screen
or seating areas," says Joe
Rey-Barreau, education consultant for ALA, and associate
professor for the University of
Kentucky School of Interior Design. "Downlights can be
installed with Alzak black trims that become almost invisible when
turned on, yet still provide general lighting in the
space."
Another glare-reducing layer can be achieved with wall sconces
that have an opaque front to only allow light to exit at the top or
bottom. If the screen or monitor is located on a wall with
shelving, linear LED tape lighting installed in cabinets or
bookshelves could be an effective third layer. In this instance,
the LED tape can be concealed under the shelves to provide a soft
glow without showing the source of the lighting.
"Dimming the tape light around the screen will create a soft
glow of light that will eliminate extreme contrast between the
screen and the surrounding area and prevent eye fatigue," says
Rey-Barreau.
If the thought of installing dimmers and other high-tech or
"smart" controls sounds complicated or expensive, think again.
Lighting control technology is now very affordable, allowing for
many options for modulating and controlling the light level in
individual rooms. A master lighting control system can be
programmed to create "scenes," which are pre-programmed lighting
levels for different situations that can be controlled with wall
controls, hand-held controls, and/or a cellular phone.
Controlling light is also critical in the daytime. One easy
method to achieve that control is to install motorized shades that
coordinate with the lighting control system. The shades can be
pre-programmed to be part of the various pre-set lighting scenes.
In this instance, the shades can be programmed to close when
activating a scene intended to provide lighting for watching the
screen.
For more lighting tips, visit a local ALA-member showroom, go
online to ALALighting.com, and signup to receive the monthly
e-newsletter Bright Ideas. Find ALA on
Facebook and Instagram.
Contact: Amy Wommack,
Amy@ALALighting.com
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SOURCE American Lighting Association