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The Swedish Lighting guide
How does the lamp shine?
When we look for a new lamp, we usually start with where it will go and how we want it to look. But how the lamp shines matters just as much if you want suggestions that will fit your needs.
Directional or diffused?
Put simply, lamps fall into two groups: those that direct light and those that diffuse it. Directional lamps give a more focused beam. Diffused lamps give a softer light that spreads in several directions at once. If you want a floor lamp next to a reading chair, you need directional light so you can see properly, whereas if you want a floor lamp to brighten a dark corner, you'll probably prefer diffused light for a softer glow. That's why you can now choose to see lamps that give either directional or diffused light.
Even or patterned?
Some lamps give an even, unbroken light. Others create a patterned effect of light and shadow. What works well in one setting can feel distracting in another. So we're also adding the option to sort lamps by light character, so you can search for lamps with even light or patterned light.
Four new filters
All the attributes you could search by before are still there. We're simply adding four new filters alongside them.
Light distribution
- Directional light (narrow or wide)
- Diffused light (narrow or wide)
Light character
- Even light
- Patterned light
What type of light works best where?
Directional, narrow
A focused light that covers a small area, in a cylinder shape.
Examples: Spotlights, slim reading lamps, and picture lights aimed at art.
Directional light - narrow
See more lamps with narrow directional light
Directional, wide
A focused light that covers a wider area, in a triangle shape.
Examples: Lamps with solid shades, for example in sheet metal, that cast glare-free light over a larger area such as a dining table or kitchen worktop.
Directional light - wide
See more lamps with wide directional lightDiffused, narrow
Light that spreads in several directions, but not all the way around, in a half-circle shape.
Examples: Ceiling lights and wall lamps that spread light in a half-moon shape.
Diffused light - narrow
See more lamps with narrow diffused lightDiffused, wide
Light that spreads freely in every direction, in a circle shape.
Examples: Pendants or freestanding lamps with a translucent shade in fabric, glass, paper, plastic or similar, which filters the light and spreads it in a sphere. Depending on brightness, they work as general lighting, to brighten a space, or as mood lighting.
Diffused light - wide
See more lamps with wide diffused lightEven light
Lamps with shades that give an even, unbroken light.
Uses: General lighting, task lighting, wayfinding lighting and mood lighting.
Even light
See more lamps with even lightPatterned light
Lamps with shades that create a pattern of light and shadow.
Uses: Mood lighting and decorative lighting.
Patterned light
See more lamps with patterned lightHemljus and the Swedish Lighting Guide
The Swedish Lighting Guide is part-funded by the Svenssons Foundation for Lighting Technology, and run with the trade association Hemljus. Its aim is to help people understand how much light matters in the home. By adding a new, simple way of grouping lamps, we want to help everyone see why different light distributions and light characters matter for a balanced, healthy home.
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