Indirect lighting creates a pleasant atmosphere, reduces harsh contrasts and can make rooms appear larger. Unlike with direct lighting, the light does not fall directly on people or furniture. Instead, it is first directed onto a wall, the ceiling or another surface and reflected softly into the room from there.
To ensure that the lighting is not only atmospheric but also functional, the colour of the light, brightness and installation location should be planned at an early stage. Indirect lighting is particularly commonly used on walls, ceilings and around the television.
Indirect wall lighting
An indirectly lit wall can help define the layout of a room and highlight specific areas. The light is usually produced using LED profiles, coves, wall strips or LED strips mounted behind furniture.
This option is particularly well suited to living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and dining areas. A uniformly lit wall creates a calm and high-quality impression. At the same time, it can brighten up dark corners without a light fitting being directly in the line of sight.
It is important to ensure there is sufficient distance between the light source and the wall surface. If an LED strip is too close to the wall, individual light spots or uneven brightness gradients may become visible. A profile with a diffusing cover distributes the light more evenly.
Rough, very dark or heavily textured walls reflect less light than light-coloured, smooth surfaces. With dark wall colours, therefore, a higher light output often needs to be allowed for.
Indirect ceiling lighting
Indirect light from the ceiling is particularly well suited to providing soft general lighting. Typical solutions include suspended ceiling elements, perimeter light coves, shadow gaps or LED profiles along the edges of the room.
The light is directed upwards or sideways towards the ceiling. A light-coloured ceiling then distributes it widely throughout the room. This creates an even and glare-free lighting effect.
However, indirect ceiling lighting alone is not sufficient as the sole light source in every room. In kitchens, studies or bathrooms, it should be supplemented by direct task lighting. Possible options include, for example, recessed spotlights, pendant lights or task lights.
In rooms with low ceilings, light sources directed upwards can make the ceiling appear higher. In very high rooms, on the other hand, a continuous light cove creates a cosier atmosphere and a clearer sense of space.
Indirect lighting in the TV area
Backlighting around the television is not just decorative. It can also reduce the stark difference in brightness between the screen and a dark room. This often makes watching television a more pleasant experience.
LED strips can be fitted directly to the back of the television, behind a TV unit or within wall panelling. The light should shine evenly onto the wall and not spill out to the sides of the set.
Warm white or neutral white light colours are particularly suitable for the TV area. Colourful RGB lighting offers additional design options, but should be set as discreetly as possible whilst watching TV. Very vivid colours or rapid colour changes can distract from the picture.
It is also important to avoid reflections on the screen. The light source should therefore not be positioned opposite the TV or directed straight at the screen.
Which light colour is suitable?
Light colour is measured in Kelvin. For living rooms and bedrooms, warm white light between approximately 2,700 and 3,000 Kelvin usually creates a particularly cosy atmosphere. Neutral white light around 4,000 Kelvin appears more neutral and is suitable, for example, for workspaces or modern kitchens.
To create a harmonious atmosphere in a room, indirect and direct light fittings should, where possible, have the same or a similar light colour. Different shades of white can appear jarring, particularly when several light sources are switched on at the same time.
So-called ‘tunable white’ systems are particularly flexible. With these, the colour temperature can be adjusted depending on the time of day and how the space is being used. In the morning and whilst working, a more neutral light can be selected, whilst in the evening, warm light creates a relaxed atmosphere.
How bright should indirect lighting be?
Indirect lighting loses some of its brightness due to reflection off walls or ceilings. Therefore, the light output should not be underestimated.
For pure accent lighting, a comparatively low output is sufficient. If, on the other hand, the indirect lighting is to provide a larger proportion of the room’s lighting, more powerful LED strips and good light distribution are required.
Dimmable systems offer the greatest convenience. They allow for brighter light for orientation and reduced brightness for cosy evenings. When planning, care should be taken to ensure that the LED strip, power supply unit, dimmer and control unit are compatible with one another.
Installing LED strips correctly
Where possible, LED strips should be mounted in aluminium profiles. The profile improves heat dissipation and can thus extend the service life of the LEDs. A diffusing cover protects the strip and ensures a more even light line.
Power supplies and control units must be adequately sized and remain accessible. They should not be permanently concealed within a closed wall or ceiling structure.
Luminosity may be lost over longer lighting runs. Depending on the system, it is therefore advisable to supply power from both ends or at several points. Cable routes and connections should be taken into account during the electrical and drywall planning stages.
In bathrooms, kitchens or outdoor areas, care must also be taken to ensure a suitable protection rating against moisture and splash water.
Wall, ceiling or TV area: which solution is right?
An indirectly lit wall is particularly suitable when creating an architectural accent or highlighting a specific area of the room. It can also be used behind sofas, beds, shelves or sideboards.
Indirect ceiling lighting is the right choice for creating a wide-ranging, glare-free ambience. Where necessary, it should be combined with direct task or reading light.
Lighting behind the television enhances the atmosphere in the TV area and can reduce stark contrasts in brightness. It is usually easier to retrofit than a permanently installed ceiling or wall solution.
In many rooms, a combination of both approaches makes the most sense. A cove light on the ceiling can create the general ambience, whilst illuminated walls or furniture provide targeted accents. It is crucial that the individual light sources can be switched on and off and dimmed separately.
Common planning mistakes
Among the most common mistakes are visibly mounted LED spotlights, unsuitable power supplies and a lack of a dimming function. Insufficient light output can also mean that the lighting is barely noticeable.
Different light colours within a single room can also be problematic. Similarly, light should not shine directly into the eyes or onto reflective surfaces.
With permanently installed solutions, maintenance and replacement must also be taken into account. Power supplies, controllers and plug connections should remain accessible even after construction work has been completed.
Conclusion
Indirect lighting can make rooms appear more homely, modern and visually spacious. Wall lighting creates targeted accents, ceiling lighting establishes a soft ambience, and lighting behind the television creates a more pleasant viewing area.
For a convincing result, even light distribution, suitable light colours, dimmable technology and accessible components are crucial. Combining different light sources and being able to control them separately provides a flexible lighting concept for a variety of situations.
