Home decorating is an interesting and responsible occupation. Lighting in it takes not the last place. With the help of various techniques, you can present the room in a variety of ways. The right lighting will accentuate the advantages and hide the flaws of any room.
In addition to design, it is necessary to pay attention to the security of connecting communications. Conducting lighting on the balcony, it is better to use the services of a professional electrician. But if you wish, you can do all the work yourself. To do this, consider the advice of experienced repairmen, as well as the rules of fire and electrical safety.
Planning process
When studying the question of how to make lighting on a balcony, it is necessary to consider the methodology for performing this process. First you need to develop a wiring plan. You need to consider the types and location of lighting fixtures that will be used on the balcony.
Especial attention should be paid to the presence of electric heaters. Their power is quitegreat. Therefore, the wire cross-section and the connection point are selected based on these indicators.
Do not ignore the interior layout. Proper lighting will give the loggia or balcony a special cozy atmosphere. The existing varieties of lamps provide a wide field for the creative imagination of the designer.
Select connection point
Lighting on the balcony (a photo of an example of interior design is presented below) involves the use of several connection options.
You can run the wire from the central panel, from the junction box in the adjoining room, or from the nearest outlet. You can also install battery-operated lights in some cases.
If it is planned to install underfloor heating, heaters or other powerful electrical appliances on the balcony, the wire leads from the apartment shield. Therefore, such a process must be carried out even at the stage of major repairs in the apartment.
If the total power of electrical consumers is small, the cable is led from the room junction box or even from the nearest outlet. This greatly simplifies the task for the master. Possessing minimal skills in electrical work, even a non-professional in this case will be able to do the wiring efficiently and quickly.
Mount type
Lighting of a balcony, loggia must comply with fire safety requirements. Therefore, the wiring is carried out very responsibly. Communications can be equipped in an open or mine way.
If property owners are doing major repairs in the entire apartment, it is quite possible to lay the cable in a hidden way. This will require a puncher. A ditch is made in the wall. It will hide the corrugated pipe and wires. But this option is not suitable for everyone.
If the repair has already been done, the owners, of course, will not want to spoil the finish. In this case, communications are allowed along the surface of the wall. To do this, use a special box that hides the wire. Everything looks neat though.
It is allowed to fasten the wires simply with staples. But this option is not suitable for every interior. Decorative boxes hide unaesthetic communications. Therefore, this option is more preferable. Doing the work yourself, this type of installation should be considered one of the easiest.
Lighting fixtures
Usually, a balcony does not require powerful, large lighting fixtures. The most popular approach in this case is spot lighting. Several small LED lamps look good in a similar interior. They are not cheap. But in terms of electricity consumption, such devices are more economical than incandescent bulbs.
It is very popular today to illuminate the balcony with LED strip. A variety of colors and brightness will give the loggia or balcony an unusual, stylish look.
Do not use fluorescent lamps for unheated rooms. They do not tolerate cold well, they will work unstably in such conditions. Also, the expertsThe use of incandescent lamps is recommended. They consume too much electricity.
Installation rules
When lighting on the balcony, you need to take into account a number of rules and recommendations. All conductors and lighting devices must be protected from moisture and dust. The cable cross-section for connection is selected depending on the total network load.
The switch or junction box must be moved into the room.
All materials must be non-flammable. The corrugated pipe in which the cable will pass has self-extinguishing characteristics.
These are the basic fire safety rules. Doing the installation yourself, you should not save on the quality of materials. This will avoid annoying mistakes.
You should not choose too large chandeliers, floor lamps when decorating the interior. Balcony space is quite limited. Therefore, such items will look simply ridiculous.
Instructions for connection
Lighting on the balcony is connected in several stages. For example, consider the most complex option. In this case, the wire will be led from the central shield.
Initially, you need to turn off the mains power. Next, the required length of the wire is measured and cut off, markings are made on the walls. From the shield to the junction box near the balcony, a groove is made using a perforator (the future mine). Cut places for switches, sockets.
In the groove, the corrugated pipe with the cable is fixed with alabaster (gap - 20cm). All elements of the circuit are connected to the power point. Call the line with a multimeter. If there is no open or short circuit, the mine is closed with mortar.
Communications are connected to the switch. Then you can turn on the voltage and check the operation of the system.
Interior Lighting Techniques
There are several rules for choosing the type of lighting depending on the parameters of the room. If the balcony does not have a large area and high ceilings, it is better to give preference to lamps that emit direct light. This will highlight dark areas as well as local areas.
LED balcony lighting doesn't have to be direct. It must be reflected from surfaces. This creates a certain comfort and a good, warm mood.
For high ceilings, you can choose ceiling lamps installed under the ceiling as illumination. If dark materials were chosen for decoration, the lighting should be bright.
Arrangement of the greenhouse
When arranging the lighting on the balcony, which will be used as a greenhouse for various plants, you need to choose the right type of lamps. In this case, the loggia is glazed and well heated. All conditions are created here to create a full-fledged room lighting.
Incandescent lamps are not suitable for a greenhouse. They will dry the leaves of the plants. For the proper development of plants, it is required to use LED or sodium varieties of lamps. Since the temperature on the balcony in this case will not be too low, you can applyfluorescent lamps.
Spots look beautiful. These are illuminators on holders that will harmoniously fit into the interior of a mini-greenhouse. LED strips are better to choose a white glow. They can be laid not only under the ceiling, but also on the middle line of the balcony.
An original, cozy atmosphere can be created on any balcony or loggia. If you take this activity responsibly, it is quite possible to create high-quality, safe and comfortable lighting.
