How to light a showroom
A showroom sells surfaces: bodywork, marble, wood, fabric. Light must not only show the object but reveal its finish and volume.
- Maintained illuminance
- 300–500 lx (pieza 750+)
- Glare (UGR)
- ≤ 22
- Colour rendering
- > 96 · R9 alto
- Colour temperature
- 3000–4000 K
- Uniformity
- contraste 5:1
On an ambient base of 300–500 lux, accent is built: the hero piece calls for a contrast ratio of up to 5:1 to separate from the background and capture attention on entry.
Material rules over optics. A specular surface (bodywork, chrome, display cases) reflects the source as a bright point: it demands large diffuse sources or grazing light. A matt surface (textile, wood, stone) accepts a direct beam and benefits from grazing light to reveal texture.
With CRI >96 and a high R9, a metallic red, fine wood or leather look as they do outdoors. In automotive this decides a sale: the customer buys the colour seen under your light, and if it does not match daylight later, you have a problem.
48 V magnetic track is the usual answer because the layout changes constantly: every new model or campaign requires relocating spotlights without touching the ceiling.
- Light the volume, not the floor plan: combine downlight, grazing light and some soft frontal light.
- On glossy surfaces use large sources or wall washers: a point spot reflects as an annoying star.
- Light the floor around the piece too: the reflection beneath the object gives it presence.
- Keep a single CCT across the room: temperature jumps expose the installation and dirty the product colour.
