Creating Atmosphere: The Dual Impact of Light and Colour in Interior Design

Lighting shapes the ambience and mood of commercial spaces, and Mullan Lighting’s versatile collections can transform environments, influencing behaviour and perception.

The Science Behind Light Temperature

Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) measures the colour appearance of light, ranging from warm (yellow/red) to cool (blue/white). Warm light (2700K – 3500K) creates cosy, relaxing environments, ideal for lounges and retail spaces, while cool light (5000K – 6500K) enhances alertness and productivity, suitable for offices and healthcare settings. Research shows that warm lighting promotes comfort and relaxation, whereas cool lighting improves cognitive performance and reduces fatigue.

Bespoke Lighting, Claymore offices, London

Human-Centric and Functional Lighting

Human-centric lighting focuses on enhancing well-being and productivity by mimicking natural light patterns and supporting circadian rhythms. This approach ensures that spaces are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and conducive to health. Daylight-mimicking systems that adjust light intensity and colour throughout the day help maintain alertness and mood during daytime and promote relaxation in the evening.

Mullan Lighting, Rivale Pendant Light

Using bright, cool light during the day and warm, dim light in the evening aligns with natural circadian patterns, supporting better sleep and overall wellness.

Come Play with Me: Exploring Colour

The “Come Play with Me” collection represents part of our exploration into colour. This series includes vibrant and customisable fixtures like the Neptune, Mars, and Jupiter lights, as well as the versatile Eclipse Wall Light or its chandelier variant.

Mullan Lighting, Eclipse Wall Lights

There’s a growing demand for coloured fixtures that go beyond traditional brass or black finishes. These fixtures are designed to add vibrant accents to design themes, particularly as pops of colour in interiors with exposed wood or metal. The “Come Play with Me” series showcases our capability to customise glass, metal, and cable colours to meet specific design needs, ensuring that light fittings can be seamlessly integrated into any aesthetic.

Versatility and Customisation in Lighting Design

With over 860 standard lighting designs and the ability to customise elements, Mullan Lighting offers a diverse range to suit various aesthetics and design needs.

Mullan Lighting, Jupiter Wall Light

In commercial settings, bespoke lighting options allow designers to use light fixtures as key design elements, bringing together the overall aesthetic. Fixture finishes can enhance store identity and atmosphere, influencing branding and creating memorable environments.

Practical Applications

  • Retail: Fixture finishes enhance store identity and atmosphere. Warm lighting makes a store feel inviting, while cool lighting highlights merchandise. Colourful fixtures can add vibrant accents that reinforce branding while also adding to the aesthetic.
  • Offices: Cool lighting improves focus and productivity. Dynamic lighting systems that adjust throughout the day support circadian rhythms, enhancing productivity and health. Customisable fixtures in muted, professional colours, or our standard metal finishes can complement corporate branding while providing functional lighting that improves work efficiency.
  • Healthcare: High CRI lighting from appropriate bulbs ensures accurate diagnostics and treatments. Proper lighting reduces stress and improves the mental health of healthcare professionals. Fixtures in soothing, neutral colours can create a calming environment for both patients and staff, contributing to a more pleasant healthcare experience.
  • Hospitality: Dynamic lighting creates inviting spaces, with the flexibility to adapt to different times of the day. Warm lighting enhances the dining experience and encourages relaxation. Bespoke or customised fixtures in colours that match the interior design theme can enhance the overall ambiance, making guests feel more welcome and comfortable.

Grind Coffee Shop, London

Fixture colour and style play a crucial role in establishing a brand’s identity and enhancing the overall atmosphere of a space. The right lighting temperature is key to creating human-centric designs that support well-being and productivity. Incorporating different light temperatures and layers—such as ambient, task, and accent lighting—ensures a versatile and dynamic environment. Mullan Lighting’s diverse range of customisable fixtures provides the flexibility needed to achieve these goals, offering solutions that not only meet functional needs but also elevate the aesthetic appeal and branding of any commercial space.

Find Mullan Lighting on Supplier Finder

Supplier Finder is the UK’s only search platform for accredited suppliers of commercial interior furnishings.

At Supplier Finder, our mission is simple: to help you find the perfect commercial furnishing suppliers for your interior schemes and projects. We understand the importance of having confidence in the suppliers you specify and the products that bring your designs to life. That’s why each supplier featured on our platform is accredited through Commercial Interiors UK’s rigorous membership application process. This ensures that you engage with only the best in the industry!

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About Rita Bancroft

A regular features writer on Design Insider, Rita has a passion for interiors. Having worked at a senior level for international brands for over 30 years, today she runs Bancmarketing, her own independent marketing consultancy business she set up in 2011.
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