Leo的恒河沙

In the rented house, I set up pleasant lighting this way ｜ Minority Member π+Prime#

#Omnivore

Holding onto a sense of anticipation, always waiting for an unexpected beam of light.

The long white fluorescent light is a memory from many people's childhoods. With economic development and the general improvement of aesthetic standards, our expectations for light have shifted from merely illuminating the night to creating an atmosphere; simple, unadjustable white lighting can no longer meet our needs.

However, configuring lighting can be a challenge for many. If it's a newly purchased home, one can dynamically choose according to personal preferences and the interior designer's plan, but not everyone has such conditions. In a rental situation where hard installations are almost impossible to change, must one endure the unchangeable "dead white"?

Not necessarily. Over the past few years, I have been exploring a "no main light" arrangement in rental environments and have accumulated quite a bit of experience along the way. The fact is that even designs with a main light can be transformed into a no-main-light effect through some clever ideas, without involving hard renovations or can be restored.

If you also want to create a suitable and functional ambient light for yourself, feel free to explore along with my ideas; it might inspire you.

How it looked when I just moved in

Summary of the lighting fixtures mentioned in the text

Here is a collection of some lighting fixtures I currently use at home, primarily in a vintage minimalist style with a focus on black, white, gray, and wood grain. For reference, you can either "copy my homework" or adjust according to your own aesthetics and needs.

What is "good lighting"?#

In the current rental market, the vast majority of lighting systems still adhere to the principle of "as long as it exists and works." They are still dominated by fluorescent lights and monochrome white ceiling lights. Once they start working, they completely disregard your feelings, unceremoniously flooding the entire room with glaring white light.

Therefore, my definition of "good lighting for rental housing" is as follows:

• Only illuminate the areas that need light, covering the whole house or just lighting up a few corners;
• Reject pure white light, giving oneself more options for color, brightness, and color temperature;
• The color rendering index of the light reaches Ra90 or above, with no visible flicker, providing a comfortable visual experience without being harsh on the eyes.

Does that sound familiar? This is actually the core essence of no-main-light lighting. However, in a rental environment, due to the inability to make destructive renovations, the hard installations, electrical layout, and light fixture locations are strictly limited, and one must also consider the need to move and restore when relocating. Commonly used solutions in traditional setups, such as wall lights, track lights, row spotlights, and ceiling light strips, have no place here.

But let's change our perspective and approach — since wall-mounted and ceiling lights cannot be used, flexible and movable floor lamps, table lamps, and even work lights can become options for illuminating the environment. The core methodology of this solution is very simple: if you can't change the position of the main light, then change its "status." The specific implementation method is also straightforward:

• Use more movable and flexible lighting (even candlelight can work) to replace the main light or dilute its presence;
• In daily use, turn on these ambient lights more often to replace the main light's "indiscriminate illumination" of the space.

Based on these principles, the no-main-light solution for rentals has found its footing. However, clarifying your needs is the first step before starting any modifications. Do not impulsively buy beautiful but impractical lighting fixtures; instead, think about how to arrange them based on your actual environment and lighting needs.

My lighting solution#

The house I rented has a nearly 100-square-meter layout with a living room and a kitchen, part of a redevelopment project for an old village. Choosing this house over a fully furnished one has its advantages: first, it has a more modern design without the "Guangdong Province provincial house" interior, aligning with my aesthetic preferences and leaving me ample room for modifications; second, it has a good weak current layout, making it easier for me to prepare a good wireless network for smart lighting.

Next, I will introduce my no-main-light lighting solution based on several spaces in my home.

Living Room: No-main-light design while retaining the main light#

The living room occupies about 25 square meters, and the original layout provided by the developer included two white ceiling lights, one above the sofa and one above the dining table. As the main activity space for meeting friends, daily living, and my cat, my renovation goals mainly include:

• The lighting can be dark enough to create an atmosphere and bright enough to fill the entire house;
• During nights when no one is in the living room, a small light can remain on;
• Adapt to different area needs, illuminating the entire house during gatherings, lighting only the carpet during board games, and keeping only the light strip on while watching movies;
• The color, brightness, and color temperature of the lighting can be adjusted.

Additionally, I have subdivided the areas in the living room. The more frequently and longer a place is occupied, the more lights are arranged there. Conversely, for areas like the shoe cabinet and refrigerator that people only occasionally pass by, they only need to be illuminated by other fixtures, without special arrangements.

Based on the above needs and the existing conditions of the house, my current "no-main-light" layout in the living room is as follows:

First is an IKEA Solklint table lamp on top of the corner bookshelf, using a Nanoleaf (Green) Essentials bulb. It can provide lighting for a large area in the upper left corner of the living room and transmit light through the wall's diffuse reflection, sufficient to provide brightness for seeing objects and pathways when night falls. At the same time, it can also adjust to various colors of light during entertainment, enhancing the atmosphere. Its native support for HomeKit also saves me the hassle of tinkering.

Next is an IKEA floor lamp specifically directed at the sofa and carpet area. This lamp is designed for chatting and board games when friends visit. Originally, it used an old Philips Hue smart bulb, which I later replaced with a Nanoleaf Essentials bulb, capable of adjusting brightness, color, or color temperature according to the scene's atmosphere. When everyone sits in a circle on the carpet, with the warm yellow light of the bulb and some drinks, conversations can flow freely.

The renovation of the Guangdong Province provincial chair is indeed tricky.

Next, we need to touch on a small part of the hard renovation. I removed the original white ceiling light and replaced it with the Aqara Color Ceiling Light T1.

Since most ceiling light structures are similar, the renovation process is not complicated, and it can almost be restored without damage later. After removing the lampshade and unscrewing the screws, the original ceiling light can be taken out, and the new fixture can be installed by tightening the screws and connecting the power supply. However, since it involves "working at heights" and strong electricity, personal safety must be the top priority.

Although the Aqara Color Ceiling Light T1 is in the main light position, it does not hold the "status" of a main light. However, even so, to illuminate the entire living room "without dead angles," it is still the main force. Through HomeKit's group control, the T1 main light and other Nanoleaf Essentials bulbs in the living room can form a light group, achieving adaptive lighting and unified dimming.

Comparison of the Aqara Color Ceiling Light T1's effect when turned off and on.

The light strip surrounding the main light is also quite interesting; Aqara calls it the "star ring." It can also be controlled through the Aqara app to select various scenes and light flow effects.

The official scenes are quite beautiful, but the one that impressed me the most is called "In the Colorful Galaxy," featuring a blue-purple light flow. This light effect, highly similar to the Bi+ colors, inspired me to add rainbow colors representing LGBTQ+ and blue-pink-white light flow representing transgender individuals, which aligns perfectly with my home's "queer living room" activity space. Although I don't use it often myself, it is quite effective for showing off to friends occasionally.

Moreover, whether it's the main light or the light strip, they directly support HomeKit control, making it much easier to connect to Home Assistant.

"The black hole and its proud halo."

The pendant light above the dining table is also one I modified myself; the bulb and table lamp are the same model, and sometimes I use it as a night light when no one is around. I'm also considering changing it to a spotlight that focuses more on the dining table, allowing attention to be centered on the food during meals.

In addition, there is a light strip hidden under the coffee and beverage station. It doesn't provide clear lighting but significantly enhances the atmosphere. Thanks to its unobtrusive light, it can illuminate the floor of the corridor from a distance during nighttime, allowing one to see the cat casually lying on the ground without causing any eye strain.

In addition to being remotely controlled and adjustable in brightness, color temperature, and color, smart lighting fixtures also have an easily overlooked advantage: they support gradual brightening and dimming when turning on and off. This greatly improves the experience compared to the harsh "pop" of suddenly bright light. Especially after getting used to these fixtures, I still find it uncomfortable facing the unchangeable white ceiling lights in the kitchen and bathroom.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning:

• For fluorescent tubes with mounting holes on both ends, retrofitting track spotlights is also worth a try, and the results can often exceed your expectations. However, remember to measure the distance between the two screw holes before purchasing and ask the seller if they can help with drilling to avoid alignment issues.
• You can also try hiding light strips in various places. If you want, under the sofa, under storage cabinets/TV cabinets, and under shoe cabinets are all great hiding spots for lights. However, one point to note is to try to direct the light strips towards the wall or purchase light strips with soft light covers (you can also buy soft light tubes to stick the light strips into). This way, the emitted light will be softer and can reduce the direct reflection from the high-gloss tiles in the house, preventing eye strain.

Corridor: The painting is the main character#

The corridor is a space where no one will stay for long, so it is not suitable for complex lighting setups; simply replacing the original white light with ambient lighting can greatly improve the situation.

The original fixture was also a white ceiling light, which I modified into a double-headed spotlight, inspired by lighting solutions in museums and art exhibitions: it meets the lighting needs while guiding the viewer's gaze.

One head of the spotlight is directed at the large poster of "Portrait of a Burning Woman" at the end of the corridor, casting a circular halo of light on the white wall, attracting attention to the poster's characters, Noemi and Adèle, as one passes through the corridor. While illuminating the artwork, it can also use the white wall at the end of the corridor for diffuse reflection, spreading light to various spots in the back of the corridor.

No matter how I take the photo, it always comes out crooked; I don't know why, but it looks quite straight in reality.

The other head of the spotlight is angled slightly to illuminate the floor where the corridor connects to the living room, ensuring good lighting at the bathroom entrance and filling in the insufficient light intensity in the transition area between the living room and corridor.

Similarly, before purchasing, one should pay attention to the original fixture's hole positions and consider the complexity of the modifications. If hidden lighting has been installed near the baseboards, then laying light strips along the corridor in places that do not require particularly concentrated lighting is a great choice.

Studio: The ultimate attempt at lighting#

Opening the "Home" app on my iPhone, the room with the most lights is undoubtedly my studio.

The reason is that I believe good lighting is crucial for both work and entertainment in places where one spends long hours every day, so it's only natural to invest more thought into the setup. The overall no-main-light lighting and multiple ambient lights on the work desk work harmoniously to provide the necessary light for this space of about 5 square meters.

First, I replaced the developer's uniformly assigned white "Guangdong Province provincial light" with a three-headed track light: one side illuminates the left cultural wall, while the other two light up the walls in front and behind. The left side of the track light utilizes the original ceiling light's hole and introduces the power line here, while the right side was drilled a new hole with the landlord's consent.

Since the cost of smart track lights is relatively high, I did not choose them; instead, I connected non-smart lights to HomeKit through the Aqara S1E switch, achieving smart control. However, the downside is evident: either all on or all off, and other lighting parameters cannot be adjusted. Fortunately, the lighting effect is quite satisfactory, so I am not too concerned about this issue for now and will consider upgrading when I have the means.

The actual visual effect of the lighting is much better than it appears in the photos.

While track lights are great, they are not suitable for all-day use. Undoubtedly, the light they emit can dispel the darkness in the studio, but it is precisely because they are too bright that they become inappropriate during times when it is dim but not yet night, or when preparing for sleep. Therefore, during times when the sky is darkening but it is not yet night, and after midnight, I choose to let the track lights enter "hibernation mode."

During these times, the softer lighting from other fixtures becomes a better choice, truly achieving "no main light" — indeed, as long as there are enough ambient lights, they can also become the core of no-main-light lighting.

In this regard, do not underestimate the power of screen-mounted lights combined with monitor brightness. With just them on, my small studio can already meet the requirements for seeing the environment. The benefits of screen-mounted lights are self-evident, and I chose YeeLight not only for its smart features but also for the ambient light strip behind it.

The ambient light strip of the screen-mounted light mixes with the bias lighting I added to the monitor, creating a very soft and colorful background on the wall, as if I had secretly taken the aurora from thousands of miles away and pasted it on my wall. Besides reducing the contrast between the monitor's interior and exterior, alleviating eye fatigue, it also serves as another main source of nighttime lighting.

Same as above.

The remaining lights mainly serve as ambient lighting. One is the light strip under the desk, and the other is the bulb on the dresser.

The light strip under the desk is usually the least noticeable light, and because of the floor's reflection, the individual bulbs on the strip are visible, which doesn't look great. However, when it's time to watch a movie, this becomes its main stage, providing ambient light in a dark blue hue without disturbing the screen.

The bulb on the dresser mainly illuminates the left side of the studio. Since the work desk and most of the lighting are situated on the right side of the room, this bulb becomes the "only one" on the left side. It is a bulb that remains lit during the night when someone is present, perfectly balancing the original "light-heavy on the right, light-light on the left" layout. Moreover, when the warm yellow light shines on the flowers, it also enhances the visual appeal.

Smart features have also brought benefits here. I can arrange a wireless button under the dresser and under the work desk, setting up corresponding modes for convenient and quick control. Meanwhile, the Aqara FP2 human presence sensor further smartens this small space, ensuring that the lights turn on when someone is present and turn off when they leave, along with the air conditioning.

Bedroom: Lighting environment serves sleep#

One of the best decisions I made when moving this year was to separate the work area from the rest area, assigning them to different rooms. This way, the light pollution from smart device indicators is completely eliminated, allowing for a peaceful sleep in a dark and comfortable environment.

In a bedroom that requires quiet and a restful atmosphere, the only principle to follow is "to serve sleep." Whether or not it is no-main-light lighting, it should primarily focus on comfort and relaxation; adding too many fixtures would only seem redundant and excessive.

The main feature is an ambient light on the dresser. Inside the frosted ambient lampshade is a recently replaced Nanoleaf Essentials bulb. After deciding to end a day's work and rest, I achieve wireless control through the Aqara S1E wireless switch on the wall and Home Assistant. The default 50% warm light with an orange tint creates a sense of tranquility and relaxation upon entering, providing great comfort for me after a long day of work.

A home without people is indeed perfectly tidy...

Aside from tidying up and searching for items, I don't even turn on the overhead ceiling light. However, even so, I replaced the original pure white ceiling light with the Aqara T1 ceiling light, setting the light to warm yellow by default. It pairs well with the Aqara S1E switch in the room, allowing for direct on/off, brightness, and color temperature adjustments, saving me from the awkwardness of searching for my phone and calling Siri — even when I'm home alone, I don't want to use voice commands.

Finally, at the bottom of the open wardrobe system, I also attached a DIY light strip. Whether for late-night chats with friends in the bedroom or intimate moments, it effectively takes on the role of ambient lighting, allowing one to relax and express sincere feelings and romantic words.

If your bedroom is similar to mine, primarily used for rest and sleep, my suggestion is to minimize light brightness as much as possible. You can use a warm bedside lamp or hide a few light strips in the gaps of the wardrobe or dresser as the main lighting. It's worth mentioning that if you have makeup needs, I recommend relying on natural light or finding an excellent lighted makeup mirror. Avoid trying to use bulbs or ceiling lights for this purpose, as they are often insufficiently bright and can easily produce color distortion.

Common Questions and Suggestions#

Choice of Protocols#

If you are also interested in trying out the benefits of smart lighting, you need to pay attention to the protocols of various manufacturers. Currently, mainstream lighting control protocols are diverse, with Bluetooth Mesh, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi competing fiercely, while Thread, backed by Matter, is making a grand entrance. Each of these protocols has its pros and cons:

• Bluetooth Mesh and Zigbee are relatively inexpensive, with many devices available, but they require a central gateway, and if the gateway goes offline, all devices will become unresponsive.
• Thread and Wi-Fi do not require a dedicated central gateway, avoiding the issue of total disconnection, and their response speed and stability are superior to the first two. I replaced my long-used Philips Hue series with the Nanoleaf Essentials E27 series, and I haven't encountered disconnection issues since; it can even penetrate two walls and light up almost instantly when the switch is pressed.

Overall, there is not a significant difference in user experience among various smart protocols. Even with the strong Thread, due to its reliance on specific hardware within a particular ecosystem, the advantages are not substantial enough to justify ordinary consumers spending a lot of money to upgrade. Unless you have a specific preference for a certain solution, the main focus should still be on the parameters of the lights. And isn't the communication protocol between non-smart home devices just like Xiaomi and Apple Home dragging behind?

The "light pollution" issue#

As the number of lights increases, the issue of light pollution inevitably arises. Fortunately, this problem can still be addressed in some ways, so there's no need to worry too much.

First, try to choose well-known lighting brands and products from the same batch or sub-brands. For example, the color rendering index (Ra value) of my Nanoleaf Essentials bulbs and the two Aqara ceiling lights is above 90. Products from the same batch are more likely to achieve uniform brightness, color, and color temperature, avoiding discrepancies caused by slight differences defined by manufacturers during adjustments.

Second, turn on different lights according to your needs. The advantage of no-main-light lighting is "illuminating where needed," rather than turning everything on at once. However, reasonably arranging area divisions and the distribution of lights within those areas is also a process that requires exploration.

Main lighting in the dining area: ceiling light and pendant light.

Third, group lights or set scene modes. Group control allows simultaneous control of multiple fixtures, while scene modes can preset the parameters for each light in a scene, enabling one-click activation when needed to adapt to current lighting requirements.

Fluid, evolving, and shared#

Compared to hard installations that require prior design and are difficult to modify, soft furnishings have the advantage of being adjustable at any time. If you feel that a certain light's position is inappropriate, simply moving it can conveniently improve the lighting effect, allowing the light to flow within the room according to your needs and quickly adjust based on future requirements. This flexibility allows me to maintain a sense of anticipation, always waiting for an unexpected beam of light.

Even though I spent thousands of words discussing lighting arrangements, I still want to emphasize: lighting adds atmosphere to the home, rather than creating it. Suitable lighting can enhance a comfortable environment, but ultimately, the decisive factors are the surrounding style arrangements and cultural environment. Imagine if the corridor simply cast a beam of light onto the wall without that poster; it would feel like a pure wilderness, evoking a sense of oppression. Adjusting the lighting is not just about changing fixtures; modifying the environment is also crucial. For instance, regarding the serious reflection issue of light strips on the floor, I am currently considering laying down carpets throughout the studio. From this perspective, good lighting can also provide motivation — look at that empty wall by the bathroom door; don't you want to display something there? The lighting is already prepared.

A wall waiting for creativity.

Moreover, no matter how beautiful the lighting is, it ultimately serves people. While carefully decorating the lighting, don't forget to share it with others. Even though I don't have many friends around me, I still hope that when they come to my home, they can feel the sense of safety, freedom, and comfort through the carefully arranged home and lighting. I also hope they don't come here purely as visitors, and I no longer see myself as a "host." The benefits of smart lighting shine here: I can freely add switches, knobs, and smart speakers, allowing my friends who come to visit to easily control the lighting environment to their liking, rather than being limited to my enjoyment alone.

Finally, I have completed this article that has been delayed for more than half a year. The process of dragging this article is also the process of my continuous renovation of this new home, accompanied by the ups and downs of my mental state and financial situation. Although it seems I have written a lot, I still feel there are many omissions; I want to convey my thoughts as thoroughly as possible, but I also fear it may be too personal to hold much reference value.

However, perhaps it can also give you some ideas and motivation for renovation. Although it is a rental, I still like to call this place "home," and transforming and decorating it allows me to retain a space that makes me feel safe in a life of constant wandering and an uncertain world. When night falls and warm light fills the room, it feels like a mother's embrace, quietly nurturing me and my friends who reside here.

• [1] I really struggled when choosing the ceiling light; I couldn't find one on the market that met the above conditions. Just by coincidence, shortly after, Aqara launched the Color Ceiling Light T1, which consists of an adjustable color temperature and brightness main light and a surrounding color light strip — although it didn't perfectly meet my needs, it was much better than my whimsical idea of "stuffing WS2812B light strips into the ceiling light."
• [2] My landlord is quite easy to talk to; when I mentioned restoring it to its original state when I move out, she quickly agreed.

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Wantong fights anxiety through continuous creation, welcomes collaboration or contributions | Feminist | Public account: John Skew

• What is "good lighting"?
• My lighting solution
  • Living Room: No-main-light design while retaining the main light
  • Corridor: The painting is the main character
  • Studio: The ultimate attempt at lighting
  • Bedroom: Lighting environment serves sleep
• Common Questions and Suggestions
  • Choice of Protocols
  • The "light pollution" issue
• Fluid, evolving, and shared