Lighting plays a crucial role in transforming your campervan into a comfortable and stylish living space. But with so many options available, selecting the right lighting can feel like a challenge, especially if you’re new to vanlife. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the perfect campervan lighting based on your layout, style, ambiance, and functionality. By the end, you’ll feel confident in selecting the best lights for your van—especially with BrightVans’ range of high-quality, expertly designed products.
Why Is Choosing the Right Campervan Lighting So Important?
Lighting doesn’t just help you see in the dark—it shapes the entire atmosphere of your van. The right combination of lights can make your space feel cozy and inviting, while also being practical for your needs. Whether you’re after ambient lighting to create a warm vibe or focused task lighting for cooking and reading, your lighting choices matter. And since you’ll likely be relying on a 12V power system, selecting energy-efficient options like 12V LED strip lights is key.
Considerations When Choosing Campervan Lighting
1. Your Van Layout and Lighting Zones
Start by assessing your van’s layout and identifying the key zones that require lighting. Common zones include:
- Living and Relaxing Area: This space benefits from ambient lighting. Think recessed downlights like the Peny Recessed Downlight or warm, diffused 12V LED strip lights.
- Kitchen/Cooking Area: Bright, focused lighting is essential here. Consider surface mounted lights from our EasyFit range for easy installation such as the Don EasyFit Downlight or the Newton strip light bar.
- Sleeping Area: Adjustable, wall-mounted reading lights like the Pico USB Reading Light offer the perfect blend of functionality and ambiance, especially when paired with USB ports for charging devices.
- Walkway/Entrance: With space for dedicated ceiling lighting, you can safely illuminate pathways.
BrightVans makes it easy to design your setup with a range of products suited for different zones, allowing you to create a cohesive look that matches your van’s layout.
2. Style and Aesthetic
Lighting isn’t just about functionality—it also enhances your van’s style. Whether you’re going for a modern, minimalist, or Nordic-inspired interior, BrightVans offers lighting options to match.
Creating a Cohesive Look
One effective way to achieve a polished, professional look is by choosing lights from the same design family. BrightVans’ Idris range includes wall-mounted USB spotlight, surface-mounted ceiling light, and complementary reading light, helping you create a unified theme throughout your van. Alternatively, our Nevis range provides a sleek, minimalist design that suits more contemporary van builds.
Grouping similar styles or shapes ensures your lighting scheme feels intentional and cohesive, turning your van into a true home on wheels.
3. Ambiance and Lighting Temperature
The colour temperature of your lights dramatically affects the feel of your campervan. Lighting colour is measured in Kelvins (K), ranging from warm (around 2700K) to cool (5000K+).
- Warm White (2700K - 3000K): Ideal for creating a cozy, relaxing atmosphere in your living and sleeping areas.
- Neutral White (3500K - 4000K): Works well for general lighting that’s bright without feeling harsh, perfect for kitchens and workspaces.
- Cool White (4500K - 5000K): Great for task-oriented zones where you need crisp, clear visibility.
BrightVans offers a range of lighting products, mostly between Warm to Neutral White colour temperatures so you can guarantee a consistent lighting theme throughout your campervan.
4. Functionality and Flexibility
When choosing lights, it’s crucial to consider how you’ll use them day-to-day. Here are some key functional aspects to keep in mind:
- Adjustability: For areas like the bed or reading nook, opt for adjustable reading light like the Aneto Reading Light, which you can easily direct where needed.
- Dimming Capabilities: Dimmable lights allow you to set the perfect mood, whether you’re winding down in the evening or need bright light for tasks. All BrightVans lights are dimmable guaranteed with suitable dimming switches.
- USB Integration: Products like the Nord USB Spotlight offer dual functionality by combining lighting with a convenient USB charging port.
The beauty of BrightVans lighting is the thoughtful integration of features like dimmable settings and USB charging options, enhancing both convenience and functionality.
Understanding Technical Specifications: A Beginner’s Guide
Technical terms can be confusing, but understanding a few basics will help you make informed decisions.
Key Specifications to Consider:
- Lumens: Lumens measure the brightness of a light. For general ambient lighting, 200-300 lumens per fixture is often sufficient, while task lighting may require 400 lumens or more.
- Watts: This indicates power consumption. Since campervans typically use 12V systems, low-wattage, high-efficiency LEDs are ideal.
- Beam Angle: The beam angle tells you how wide or narrow the light’s spread is. A narrow beam is perfect for focused lighting (like reading), while a wider beam works better for general illumination.
BrightVans products are designed with these factors in mind, ensuring you get the right balance of brightness, efficiency, and functionality. Plus, all our products are independently tested and designed in Britain, so you can trust that you’re getting top-tier quality and safety.
Why Choose BrightVans Lighting?
Selecting the right lighting for your campervan isn’t just about style and function—it’s also about peace of mind. BrightVans offers unique benefits that set our products apart:
- Safety Guarantee: All our lights are rigorously tested to meet the highest safety standards, so you can enjoy your travels with confidence.
- Dedicated Support: Our customer support team is always ready to assist you, whether you have technical questions or need help choosing the right product.
- British Design: Our lights are designed in Britain and independently tested, ensuring premium quality and reliability.
By choosing BrightVans, you’re not only enhancing your van’s style and functionality—you’re investing in durable, high-quality products that are built to last.