Lights near windows?

[wizer]

Reasonably sedate debate going on around me about why in some older houses, the lights are placed closer to the window rather than in the middle of the room. Some weird theories are being bandied around but I thought it was simply a privacy issue. In that the light is less likely to illuminate the people inside. I can also see flaws in this argument. But perhaps that is why it's largely not done any more?

Anyone know what the hell I'm going on about?

 

[StevieB]

Yup, if you stand between a light and the window you are visible. If you stand behind the light you are less visible. Tis what I have always been told as well - never actually tested it though!

Steve.

 

[Grinding One]

Leave a light in the window,so the soldier can find his way home....

 

[andy king]

Yep, a privacy thing, moreso in bedrooms was what I was taught so you can undress without the outside world seeing you do so as a shadow with the curtains drawn. (assuming they are thin curtains, which considering the period it was done, probably the case)
Much the same as doors hung to open across the room rather than to a wall. It means if you are 'up to no good' :wink: as the door opens, you are protected by it as a screen giving you chance to make yourself respectable!
Not ideal from a practical sense though, doors opening to walls are usually much better for furniture and access.

cheers
Andy

 

[brianhabby]

Another vote for the privacy idea, that's what I've always understood.

Tom, you say you can see flaws in the argument so - care to elucidate

regards

Brian

 

[Rich]

As far as I am aware, all council houses in Berhshire are wired this way, I have replaced my ceiling lights with wall mounted lamps, I think they are much more cosy, especially in a bedroom also the same in my lounge.

Rich.

 

[matt]

Now I would say that a light in front of you (which is essentially what a light in the window would be to someone outside) would illuminate you as you got changed. By contrast, as already stated, you're less likely to create a silhouette on curtains.

But... I'm inclined to agree that it is a privacy thing, especially as it seems only to be in bedrooms in my experience.

 

[wizer]

Yes the flaw I identified was that a light in front of you would illuminate you. But now realise it is meant to hide the silhouette when the curtains are closed.

Thanks guys.

 

[Night Train]

I always figured that gas lamps at the sides of a window was to replicate the direction of natural light so that the room is lit in the same way whether by day light or by gas light.

It makes sense if you had houses with windows and no artificial light and then when the gas lighting came it would make sense to put it where the natural light normally lit the room from.

I'm not sure about the privacy lighting issue as houses had either shutters or heavy curtains to keep heat in and draughts out.

 

[mailee]

Yes I agree it is a privacy issue, Our bedroom has this type of light siting and it was built in 1975. It is the same as if you have a light coming through a window at the rear of the house which is opposite a front window it sillouettes anyone stood in it's path. Not that I am a voyeur or anything. :lol: