
Classroom lighting not only illuminates, but it also ensures an efficient learning experience. How would it be to imagine a poorly lit classroom where the students can’t properly see the teacher? Can any student focus in such a gloomy classroom, or will it cause fatigue and eye strain? Poor lighting in the classroom impacts a student’s ability to focus, mood, behaviour, and health.
Research shows that students score 26% higher in a well-lit classroom than in a poorly lit one. Here comes the necessity of the best classroom lighting ideas that can change the classroom’s learning environment.
How should you plan for classroom lighting? What are the lighting ideas for each classroom type? In this article, we are going to show you the science behind the lighting and learning connection. Let’s break down the psychological tricks with amazing classroom lighting ideas.
Types of Classroom Lighting
Classroom lighting ideas may vary depending on the classroom location, size, scope of lighting, etc. Before we dive into classroom lighting ideas, here are some hints about the types of lighting that a classroom may have.
Natural Lighting: Allowing sunlight throughout the classroom.
Ambient Lighting: General Lighting that illuminates the classroom evenly.
Accent Lighting: Highlight specific areas like the whiteboard, display, etc., individually.
Task Lighting: Focusing on activities such as reading, writing, painting, etc.
Theme-based Lighting: Setting the lights based on any engaging/inviting theme.
Smart Lighting: Auto-sensor lighting with dimming ability.
Top 8 Amazing Classroom Lighting Ideas For UK Students
From overhead lighting to desk lamps, our intellectual ideas will be effective for your classroom lighting. Let’s dive into the lighting ideas:
Allow Natural Light Every Way You Can
Nothing is comparable to natural light in a classroom. Natural light helps to regulate melatonin production, which improves neurological conditions and eye health in students. Sunlight also increases serotonin levels, which keeps students active, happy, and focused. How can daylight be increased in a classroom?
- • Allow sunlight through the windows by arranging the desks accordingly.
- • Keep a large window or a glass-covered roof opening for skylights.
Pro tip: Add window curtains or blinds to control light intensity during peak sunlight hours. They also prevent UV rays.
Install LED Lights
LED lights are highly energy-efficient. Whether it be lighting for a nursery/primary school classroom, a high school classroom, or a college/university lecture hall, multiple light fixtures are required. LED panel lights or bay lights are common in UK classrooms for their cost-efficiency.
LED lights don’t come with flickering or buzzing problems like traditional fluorescent bulbs. They reduce eye strain and brighten the classroom evenly.
Use Task Lights
Reading lamps can be used as task lights, and downlights are also great as desk lights. These lights help you focus on reading, experimenting, and performing technical tasks.
Task lights reduce glare and keep eyes calm. For a better experiment, try using LED task lights. Task lights provide adequate illumination that helps with specific activities only; they don’t cover the whole classroom.
Keep the Traditional Vibe with Fluorescents
Schools that bear the honour of heritage often show interest in keeping a traditional theme in their classrooms. For traditional touch, use fluorescent bulbs all over the classrooms.
Fluorescent lights bear the traditional vibe and express experience. Although fluorescent lights may sometimes create a buzzing sound, not all bulbs are the same.
Adorn with Wall Sconces
If there is a small space in the ceiling, you can light up the classroom with beautiful wall sconces. They are luminous and long-lasting. Wall sconces in a classroom with daylight from the semi-blind window make a good combination.
Make sure the lights cover the entire area, leaving no darkness. Wall sconces can be attached easily. They leave a lot of spaces and don’t create glare.
Light Up with Pendant Lights
Pendant lights can be an elegant choice for a classroom. You must install multiple pendant lights, as a single pendant light may not be able to illuminate the entire classroom evenly.
If you don’t know how to install ceiling lights, use adhesive-backed cable hooks with the pendant lights. This will prevent damage to the classroom ceiling. Be careful about securing the hook properly to avoid accidents.
Hang String Lights
Classrooms look playful and inviting with string lights. Some of the string lights can be installed in the wall side panels. Then hand them beautifully. String lights are bright, luminous, and create a happy feeling with their tiny sparkling glow.
String lights can be kept on to keep students engaged in primary school classrooms. They can be hung only on occasion in high school classrooms or college lecture halls.
Try Smart Lighting Ideas
You can install a motion sensor in the classroom to reduce utility bills and make the classroom control automatic. Smart lighting solutions offer voice control and app control, which allows you to operate the lights with voice instructions or via a mobile app.
Feature Upgrade Ideas for Classroom Lighting
Do you want to upgrade the existing classroom lighting? Here, we are going to discuss classroom lighting ideas with upgraded features. What features can be added? Let’s delve into details.
Install Colour Temperature Mode
As the UK faces winter days, the most colour temperature mode and daylight system integration help mimic the daylight inside the classroom. Moreover, research has shown that colour temperature changes mood, behaviour, and health conditions.
Cool colour tones help with concentration and focus. On the other hand, warm colour tones create a cosy vibe that energises the mood and helps with group discussion, teamwork, etc. You can switch to a cool or warm temperature anytime according to classroom demand. The cool temperature range is 5000 K—6500 K, and the warm temperature range is 2700 K—3500 K.
Integrate Dimmable System
In the United Kingdom, the weather changes seasonally, so we don’t always enjoy sunny days. Sometimes, the classroom requires more brightness, and sometimes, it requires less. The dimmable system and dimmable lights allow you to adjust the lighting anytime.
Add Motion Sensor
A motion sensor can identify movements. It keeps the lights on when there are movements and turns them off when there are no movements. Motion sensors can also be added to the classroom’s outdoor lighting. Hire outdoor light installers for the outdoor illumination.
Key Factors to Consider for Classroom Lighting
When planning for classroom lighting ideas, you must consider some key factors. Let’s dive into those factors you can’t ignore.
Energy Efficiency: Choose LED lights to reduce utility bills and ensure long-lasting durability. For more efficiency, install a motion sensor.
Brightness Level: You must ensure there is enough illumination in the classroom. The lights should be luminous and distribute the brightness evenly.
Anti-glare technology: Integrate diffusers or opt for indirect lighting to reduce glare on the whiteboard or display.
Flexibility: Choose dimmable lights so that you can adjust the brightness according to the classroom’s requirements.
Eye Comfort: Never select any light that causes eye strain or fatigue. The lighting should be soothing to the eyes.
Durability: Classroom lights are a regular need for the students. You must ensure that the lighting is sustainable. Choose durable options. LEDs can be a great choice for classrooms.
Upgrading to LED? Is LED Lighting Best for Classrooms?
Unlike traditional lights, LED lighting offers eye-soothing brightness and energy efficiency. These lights suit modern classroom designs well. LED lights are highly affordable and great options for classrooms. That’s why most of the schools in the UK are upgrading their lighting system to LED.
Now, a question may arise: why LED? Let’s break down why LEDs are the perfect choice for classrooms.
- ✓ Energy-saver: LED lights are highly luminous and have an anti-glare advantage. They reduce glare and consume less energy than traditional lights.
- ✓ Reduces Utility Bill: LED lights save energy and keep the utility bills low. They lower the utility bills consistently.
- ✓ Long-lasting: LED lights offer sustainability and a long lifespan. These highly durable lights also reduce maintenance costs.
- ✓ Smart Features: LEDs come with dimmability and temperature control features. You can adjust the temperature and brightness with the smart features.
Final Words
Classroom lighting is not just about making it luminous but also about shaping a student-friendly environment. Wrong lighting may cause severe health issues for the students. The lights must not create fatigue but instead provide relaxing comfort. From installing panel lights to strips, here are the most trendy classroom lighting ideas.
Utilise the proper lighting system to keep your students focused, engaged, and happy. Modernise your classrooms with smart lighting features. Enjoy innocent smiles with comfortable classroom lighting.