Best joinery lighting ideas

The most important thing you need to consider for joinery lighting is the details. When you install lights to a joinery and if you haven’t considered below items, then you might not be achieving the best effect you expecting.

1. The type of lighting: There are several types of lighting that can be used in joinery, such as ambient, task, and accent lighting. Each type serves a different purpose, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
2. The placement of the lights: The placement of the lights is crucial for achieving the desired effect. For example, if you want to highlight a specific feature of the joinery, you’ll need to place the lights in a way that will draw attention to that feature.
3. The color temperature of the lights: The color temperature of the lights can affect the overall look and feel of the space. Warmer colors tend to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while cooler colors can make the space feel more modern and sleek.
4. The dimming capability: Dimmable lights are a great option for joinery lighting because they allow you to adjust the brightness of the lights to suit different tasks and moods.
5. The light direction: The direction of the light can also play a role in the final effect. Downlights will provide a general lighting, while uplights will create a dramatic effect.
6. The energy efficiency: Energy-efficient lights can help you save money on your energy bills and reduce your environmental impact.
7. The safety aspect: It’s important to consider the safety aspect of the lights, such as fire safety.

By considering these factors, you will be able to create a lighting scheme that is both functional and visually appealing. It’s always a good idea to consult with a professional lighting designer to ensure that your joinery lighting is installed correctly and effectively.

Joinery lighting guide

Exactly, the first step in creating a lighting scheme for joinery is to determine what you want to highlight. Once you’ve established this, you can then choose the appropriate type of lighting, and the placement, color temperature, and dimming capabilities of the lights.

You’re also right that using different layers of lighting can be effective for highlighting both the items you’re displaying in the joinery and the joinery itself as an architectural feature. For example, using led strips to highlight the items, and spot lights or downlights to highlight the joinery itself.

Additionally, you could consider using different colors of lights to create a visual contrast between the joinery and the items on display. For example, using warmer colors to highlight the items, and cooler colors to highlight the joinery.

It’s important to keep in mind that the lighting should be functional and serve a purpose as well as be visually pleasing. It’s also important to consider the safety aspect of the lights and consult with a professional lighting designer to ensure that the installation is done correctly and effectively.

When finalizing the design for your joinery, it’s important to pay attention to the details in order to achieve the desired lighting effect. One of the most important things to consider is the location of the lights. While reference images can be a useful starting point, it’s important to keep in mind that the lighting in your space may look different after installation due to factors such as the size, shape, and layout of the room, and the direction and quality of natural light.

Here are a few other things to consider when planning the lighting for your joinery:

1. The size and shape of the joinery: The size and shape of the joinery will affect how the light is distributed and how the space is perceived. Make sure to take these factors into account when choosing the location and number of lights.
2. The direction and quality of natural light: The direction and quality of natural light will also affect the final lighting effect. Take note of the position of windows, skylights, and other sources of natural light and plan the lighting accordingly.
3. The type and color of the materials used in the joinery: The type and color of the materials used in the joinery will affect how the light is reflected and absorbed. Consider this when choosing the type and color temperature of the lights.
4. The ambient lighting level: The ambient lighting level in the room should be taken into consideration when planning the joinery lighting. Make sure that the joinery lighting does not overpower the overall ambient lighting.
5. The control options: Control options such as dimmer switch or control system are important to allow you to adjust the lighting levels to suit different tasks and moods.

By considering these factors, you can avoid common mistakes and create a lighting scheme that will illuminate your joinery perfectly. It’s always best to consult with a professional lighting designer to ensure that your joinery lighting is installed correctly and effectively.John Cullen Lighting is indeed a highly respected company in the luxury residential lighting industry and is well-known for their expertise in joinery lighting. They have a wide range of products and services that can help you to achieve the desired lighting effect for your joinery. They have a team of experienced lighting designers who can work with you to create a custom lighting plan that is tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

However, you can visit their website or showrooms to see their portfolio and get inspiration for your joinery lighting. They have a wide range of projects they have completed and it can give you an idea of the different styles and effects that are possible with joinery lighting.

Keep in mind that luxury residential lighting can be quite expensive, but the investment can pay off in the long run by creating a beautiful and functional space. It’s always best to consult with a professional lighting designer to ensure that your joinery lighting is installed correctly and effectively.

Below I have added few questions. You should have the answers for it before starting/choosing lighting ideas.

– what is the color of your joinery ? Is it dark or light color ?

– what is the material/finish for your joinery ? Is it Matt or glossy finish ?

– How you going to control lights in joinery ? Is it on/off on local switch or can it be dimmed ?

Choose brighter lights for dark finish and less bright lights for white or light color joinery. It’s also important to choose correct color temperature for the lights using. If your joinery is dark color then you need to choose more warm white color lights ( 3000k to 3500k color temp- CCT) and joinery is white or light color- then better to use warm color lights (2500k to 3000k CCT)

Matt finish is the suitable material for joinery. If it’s glossy finished joinery, there are chances to get reflection of lights from the surface which will cause glare. You need to make sure there won’t be any glare from lights on the joinery. I have shared some joinery details below to avoid glare.

Choose 5watts per meter strip lights or 1 watts spotlights when your lights are control with non dim – normal switch. If you have dimming controls for your joinery, use 9watts/m for strips and higher watts for spot lights. I suggest to use dimming for all of your joinery’s. This will give you the flexibility to set precise brightness and mood.

And don’t forget, there’s no rule that says you can’t combine both techniques in one space. How you use the shelves and what you want to display should dictate how you light them.

Types of most common aluminum profiles for LED lights used in joinery

Joinery lighting option 1

Option 1 – Back lighting

This option is my personal favorite and effective way to light joinery. We need to make sure the surface at wall should be matt finish to get this option effective. Led profile here is recessed inside floating shelf supported from sides.

In this option display items on the joinery are not highlighted. If you want to highlight, then need to add adjustable downlights in front of joinery or mini spotlights within the shelfs.

Joinery lighting option 2

Option 2 – Back lighting

In this option 2 line of strips used to get the effect of up and down light washing at the backside of joinery. This will also have similar effect to the option 1 above but this detail will give more wash of light to joinery wall. Make sure led profile not touching joinery wall. 5mm to 10mm offset gap from wall will help to get smooth gradient for light wash and also helps to reduce harsh light wash at the area closer to luminaire.

In this option display items on the joinery are not highlighted. If you want to highlight, then need to add adjustable downlights in front of joinery or mini spotlights within the shelfs.

Joinery lighting option 3

Option 3 – TLB Split lighting

This detail is designed by me (Owner of ‘The Lighting blog’ and lighting designer by profession). 1 single line of strip light from front can highlight both top and bottom part of shelf. This also have added advantage to highlight display items and the joinery itself. As shown in the details, the thickness of shelf at back are smaller than the front part where lights are installed which can help to avoid shadows at the back wall of joinery.

Option 4 – Front lighting – Down

Joinery lighting option 4

This is a standard option for joinery lighting. But it’s very easy and cheap to built. Only disadvantage will be the joinery looks bulky from the front as it have a 40mm thick at front. This lighting is suitable for library or similar usage.

Option 5 – Front lighting up

Joinery lighting option 5

This is a standard option for joinery lighting similar to option 4 – but light washing upward. Advantage for this option is it’s very easy and cheap to built. Disadvantage is the joinery looks bulky from the front as it have a 40mm thick at front.

Option 6 – Front lighting down without shadows

This is a standard option for joinery lighting similar to option 4 – but light washing downward. Advantage for this option is that, it wont create any shadows and it’s very easy and cheap to built.

Some of the common mistakes that usually seen when installing joinery lights are shown below.

You can see light dots visible slightly on the joinery. This happens because LED strips are installed without diffuser & profile. Ideally we need a uniform diffused lighting for joinery, so always try to use lighting with diffuser & profile. To avoid harsh spot at the sides of the joinery – trim down approx 20mm to 35mm from either end of the light if its close to any wall. We can avoid the shadows and the harsh light visible at the sides of joinery in an angle by using the detail from TLB split lighting details Option 3 from above.

If you want to avoid harsh angled light with shadows visible at the back and sides of above joinery, Use joinery lighting detail Option 6 from above.

To avoid harsh spot at the sides of the joinery – trim down approx. 20mm to 35mm from either end of the light if its close to any wall. Also try to add different layers of lights to create more drama to joinery.

Some Good Joinery lighting reference images from John Cullen Lighting

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