One common misconception is that people believe you need to light the entire room. However, a well- lit room has layers of different lighting. There is no single light fixture that gives you everything you need in a room.
Multiple light sources allow for a smoother transition from a brighter work space during the day, to a sophisticated space for entertaining in the evening. A combination of ambient, task and accent lighting create a visually and functionally well-rounded room.
Ambient lighting is the most basic layer of lighting to have in your home. Think of it as the first switch which is turned on when entering a room, or the natural light beaming through the windows. Overall ambient lighting provides the primary source of light and brightness in any space. Depending on the time of day and the amount of light entering a room, ambient light creates the foundation on which you build your lighting creation.
Most people understand the importance of ambient lighting to illuminate a room, but most tend to stop there in their lighting plan. Lighting fixtures which blend well in this primary stage includes soft ceiling, floor and wall lights.
Once you are happy with the amount of ambient light in one room, you can move on to including additional lighting fixtures to further illuminate a room, eliminate any shadows or potentially give the room more character.
In the midst of at home activities, specialized task lighting lets you focus on specific activities at hand. It is the light you utilise while, reading, studying or cooking. Task lighting not only highlights your work area, but is able to provide the proper level of focus towards what you are doing.
Task lighting can come in various options; downward facing pendant lights help when reading or working on hobbies; desk, table and floor lamps are ideal for almost anything because they are portable and easily adjustable to suit your needs.
Under-cabinet or LED lighting is a perfect solution for kitchen countertops that lack light. This type of lighting brightens up food prep space while eliminating shadows.
However general and functional lighting can get a little boring, so if you want to spice it up a little, accent lighting is the way to go. Accent lighting is the most forgotten layer of lighting, but it can also be the most influencing light to enhance any room.
Wall décor, architectural features or photos receive more attention when they a lit up correctly. Accent lighting highlights your features characteristics, giving it depth and dimensions.
As a rule, ensure that your accent lighting is three times brighter than your ambient and task lighting to create a mood and provide more of an impact.
Chandeliers, wall sconces, directed track or recessed lights are perfect solutions to create atmosphere or even disguise any decorating blunders that you may have.
If adding all these layers of lights seem overwhelming, you can’t go wrong with adding in dimmer lights to your household. Dimmers are the only way to truly have flexible lighting in your home, they are a viable option in rooms that need a diverse range of lighting.
Lighting can make or break a room, so before heading out to impulsively buy your favourite lighting fixture, carefully think about the space it is used for and layer it up accordingly. Understand the lighting fixtures you want to work with and never underestimate the purpose of lighting and how it can make the simplest space look magical.
