Odd Question About Lighting Pendants...

[Pete E]

My apologies if this is in the wrong forum but I posted it here as I thought it was a fairly general non technical question ....

A few years ago I was changing light shades as a favour for someone who lived in an ex council property (3 bedroom house) and noticed that in the two main bedrooms, the lighting pendants were situated well off centre of the room. In each case they were biased well towards the window...

When I mentioned this to the owner, she commented that it was how bedroom lighting used to be installed in the council houses in that area. I would guess the Estate was built in the 40's and had last been rewired in the late 70s/80s...

I grew up living on a council estate of the same era but belonging to a different council, and our pendants were in the centre of the bed room ceilings..

So was this this off centre installation common in the past and if so, does anybody know the thinking behind it?

Thanks in advance,

Peter

 

[Spoon]

Welcome to the forum mate.
When I moved into my house the light were off-centre. Closer to the windows.
Someone told me that is was so that there was less change of seeing the outline of people in the bedroom through the thin curtains. Not sure if its true or not.

 

[Pete999]

My apologies if this is in the wrong forum but I posted it here as I thought it was a fairly general non technical question ....

A few years ago I was changing light shades as a favour for someone who lived in an ex council property (3 bedroom house) and noticed that in the two main bedrooms, the lighting pendants were situated well off centre of the room. In each case they were biased well towards the window...

When I mentioned this to the owner, she commented that it was how bedroom lighting used to be installed in the council houses in that area. I would guess the Estate was built in the 40's and had last been rewired in the late 70s/80s...

I grew up living on a council estate of the same era but belonging to a different council, and our pendants were in the centre of the bed room ceilings..

So was this this off centre installation common in the past and if so, does anybody know the thinking behind it?

Thanks in advance,

Peter

I think, if my memory serves me well enough, the reason for bedroom lighting biased to the window, was to avoid anyone in the bedroom and standing by the window, then they would not have a light source directly behind them, thus avoiding window watcher standing outside getting an eyeful so to speak.

 

[Dannyg8810]

@Pete999 should be along soon he should know

 

[Dannyg8810]

To fast haha

I think, if my memory serves me well enough, the reason for bedroom lighting biased to the window, was to avoid anyone in the bedroom and standing by the window, then they would not have a light source directly behind them, thus avoiding window watcher standing outside getting an eyeful so to speak.

 

[Spoon]

I think, if my memory serves me well enough, the reason for bedroom lighting biased to the window, was to avoid anyone in the bedroom and standing by the window, then they would not have a light source directly behind them, thus avoiding window watcher standing outside getting an eyeful so to speak.

You always seem to put replies better than me...

 

[Squid]

@Pete999 should be along soon he should know

 

[Squid]

Back in the day women had a dressing table in the bedroom and a 40W lamp.

 

[Pete E]

Hi Spoon,

Never thought of that aspect, but it sounds reasonable..also it seems the practice wasn't uncommon, but to my eye the placement just seemed "wrong" lol

Regards,

Peter

 

[Pete999]

You always seem to put replies better than me...

That skill comes with working for HMG 1st lesson " How string out something that could be explained in2 sentences into 2 sides of A4"

 

[Pete999]

To late sorry ignore wrong post doh

 

[DPG]

The reason is as given above. It wasn't just council houses and your area though - all the private houses built in the 1970s near me were built the same and for the same reason presumably.

You can still cast offensive silhouettes though if you do it right

 

[Midwest]

It works both ways;

 

[DPG]

Oh yes.

 

[Des 56]

The correct theories have been given,now its time for the practical lesson

Stick with the video for 16 seconds to view the consequences of having those lights in the centre

 

[Squid]

To late sorry ignore wrong post doh

You just quoted it for posterity so you can find it when doing a search when the wife's out at bingo....... ;o)))))

 

[ruston]

Another thing was the modesty opening bedroom door . The door would not open to the wall , but to the centre of the room to shield the bed from anyone opening it.

 

[DPG]

Another thing was the modesty opening bedroom door . The door would not open to the wall , but to the centre of the room to shield the bed from anyone opening it.

I think that was the difference between American and English houses traditionally - English stately homes, etc had doors which were in a corner and opened inwards, unlike American ones. English people didn't want to make a grand entrance, but to be able to look in to the room first to see who was in.

Jeez I know some crap me. Have I made this up? Who know?

I'm expecting some dumb or optimistic ratings for this one

 

[ruston]

No , you have it about right . The bedroom doors opened to centre of the room , not to the adjoining room wall.
Some of the older houses I have worked in are still like that.