what light where?
Lighting is an essential element in interior design that can transform a room from mundane to magnificent. The concept of layering lighting involves using multiple light sources to create a balanced and visually appealing environment.
To achieve a well-lit space, it’s important to incorporate three types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent lighting. Each serves a distinct purpose and together they create a harmonious and functional atmosphere.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting, also known as general lighting, provides overall illumination to a room. It’s the primary source of light that ensures the space is evenly lit. Examples include ceiling-mounted fixtures, chandeliers, and recessed lights. Ambient lighting sets the foundation for the room’s lighting scheme.
Task Lighting
Task lighting focuses on illuminating specific areas where activities such as reading, cooking, or working are performed. It’s more concentrated and functional than ambient lighting. Desk lamps, under-cabinet kitchen lights, and bedside reading lamps are common examples. Task lighting should be bright enough to prevent eye strain but not so intense that it causes glare.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting adds drama and highlights architectural features, artwork, or other focal points in a room. It’s used to create visual interest and draw attention to specific areas. Wall sconces, picture lights, under shelf and track lighting are typical forms of accent lighting. This layer adds depth and dimension, making the room more dynamic.
Balancing the Layers
Plan Your Layout
Before purchasing or installing lighting, plan the layout of your room and decide where each type of lighting is needed. Consider the room’s purpose and the activities that will take place there.
Dimmer Switches
Installing dimmer switches allows you to adjust the intensity of your lights, giving you control over the ambiance and functionality. This is especially useful for transitioning from bright task lighting to a softer, more relaxed setting.
Layering in Practice:
For a living room, you might use a central pendant for ambient lighting, floor lamps are good to soften corners, desk lamps near seating areas for task lighting like reading and wall sconces to highlight artwork or under shelf lights to show off ornaments and add interest and depth.
In a kitchen, recessed ceiling lights or track lights provide ambient lighting, under-cabinet lights offer task lighting for cooking, and pendant lights over an island add both task and accent lighting.
Don’t forget the colour temperature of your bulbs affects the mood of the room and how you need to use the space:
Warm White (2700K-3000K):
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas.
When to use: Warm white lighting creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making it perfect for spaces where you relax and unwind. Its soft, yellowish hue mimics the glow of incandescent bulbs, providing a comforting ambiance for evenings and intimate gatherings.
Soft White (3000K-3500K):
Best for: Kitchens and bathrooms.
When to use: Soft white lighting is slightly cooler than warm white but still maintains a comfortable, welcoming feel. It's ideal for spaces where clarity and brightness are important but you still want a touch of warmth, making tasks like cooking and grooming easier.
Cool White (3500K-4100K):
Best for: Home offices, garages, and basements.
When to use: Cool white lighting provides a bright, clear light that enhances concentration and visibility. Its crisp, neutral tone is perfect for work environments and areas where you need to stay alert and focused.
Daylight (5000K-6500K):
Best for: Reading areas, task lighting, and detailed workspaces.
When to use: Daylight bulbs mimic natural sunlight, offering a bright and energizing light that enhances color accuracy and detail. Use daylight lighting in areas where precision and true color representation are crucial, such as reading nooks, craft rooms, and home offices.
Adjustable or Tunable White:
Best for: Multi-functional spaces and smart homes.
When to use: Adjustable lighting allows you to change the color temperature according to your needs and the time of day. This versatility is perfect for spaces that serve multiple purposes, like living areas that transition from day to night, or for those who use smart home technology to customize their lighting environment for optimal comfort and productivity.
So enjoy having a play with some lighting options and think about the decorative aspect too, using beautiful fixtures add great focal points or complement your interior design - these can be layered too. Don’t go mactchy-matchy, but complimentary surfaces, sizes and textures.
Get in touch for help to plan out your next lighting scheme!