Gallery Lighting UK
Gallery lighting transforms UK interiors.
Following the lead of high-end, luxury residential and commercial properties, gallery lighting in the UK is now found in many homes, hotels and commercial spaces.
Types of gallery lighting
There are several types of gallery lighting that specifiers can consider for their interior design schemes:
Picture lights
Picture lights, also known as gallery lights, are the traditional lighting fixtures seen above paintings and artworks displayed on walls.
Recessed
Recessed lights are integrated into ceilings to provide an unobtrusive, even spread of light to illuminate artwork. The FLOW-IT is a square, recessed spotlight that is dimmable and adjustable to a 35° tilt.
Track
Track fixtures can be used to house spotlights that can be moved on the track to adapt to changing artwork displays. The track can be recessed, such as the Cortes 48v trimless track, or surface mounted like the Danny Max 85 Track and Danny Air Track Spot.
Spotlights
Freestanding spotlights are ideal for illuminating sculptures and other floor standing displays. The Infinity spotlight has a museum standard miniature zoom lens, an adjustable 90° tilt and 320° rotation.
Wall washers
Wall washers are used to provide a blanket of light on large wall displays or a series artworks on the same wall. The Corona Max is a directional dark-light downlight with a 45° tilt.
Key considerations when lighting gallery spaces
Lighting gallery spaces is not just about choosing a lighting fixture and pointing it in the right direction. Here are some key considerations when lighting gallery spaces.
Understanding the artwork and its context
Understanding the artwork and its context will help you avoid common mistakes when selecting a lighting fixture. If there is too much glare, intricate details will be lost. If the lighting is too strong it can be damaging to the artwork. The lighting also needs to create an ambiance that complements the piece.
Light placement and positioning
Downlights should be mounted in the ceiling 500mm from an average height wall (2.4 metres) to create circular pools of light. Dedicated wall washers for a larger spread are typically mounted 700mm from the wall. Recessed asymmetric profiles will need to be mounted at a distance of 500-600mm.
Beam angles
To produce the required focus on artworks, narrow beam angles should be used for individual pieces, and wider beams for larger artworks or multiple pieces. Starting with a 36° to 40° angle is advisable. Adjustments can be made later if necessary.
Choosing the right colour temperature
When illuminating paintings, a colour temperature of around 2000K to 3000K is usually recommended to highlight the colours and details. For photographic art, a colour temperature of 3000K to 4000K can reveal the print’s colours more vibrantly. When lighting sculptures, working from a neutral colour temperature of around 3000K, warmer tones are ideal for bronze displays while cooler tones are more suitable for marble or stone sculptures.
Fixture selection
A mixture of LED lighting fixtures can be used in one room to highlight different types of artwork. Uplights can be used to create unique lighting displays while linear lighting, spotlights, downlights, track lighting and picture lights can all be used depending on the artwork being featured. Detail Lighting can advise you on this.
Light layering
Light layering is a way to avoid lighting overwhelm. A mix of ambient, layered and task lighting will produce the right ambience while highlighting particular pieces of artwork within a room
Glare control and diffusion
To control glare and improve diffusion (the scattering of light in multiple directions as it interacts with the artwork), aim for a 30° angle, and use anti-glare LED lights or fixtures with frosted glass or diffused covers.
Lighting controls
Lighting controls can be used to adjust the direction, strength, colour and temperature of light depending on the artwork, time of day or environmental conditions.
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Why work with Detail Lighting for your artwork lighting projects?
Detail Lighting is a team of artwork lighting experts. We collaborate with specifiers of lighting schemes and interior design on a daily basis. Get in touch to find out why working with Detail Lighting for your artwork lighting schemes can transform your project.
Can we help?
For a no-obligation chat about your architectural lighting designs, please contact us using our online form, by email at sales@detaillighting.co.uk, or by calling 01908 613256.
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