Lighting Basics – The Three Main Types
In today’s home design, lighting is one of the biggest factors to make a home look and feel more intimate. From chandeliers to table lamps, finding the perfect fixtures for your home can be a daunting task. But, that’s why we are here. We specialize in lighting at Ciao Interiors and carry thousands of different options that we are sure to find you the perfect fit you have been searching for. Stop in for some guidance or to see what we can find for you.
In the meantime, we thought we would share some knowledge about all the different lighting options available to you. Start your home remodel or simple room transformation with the knowledge of a seasoned pro.
The single most important concept in creating a well-balanced lighting plan in your home is to use an array of the varying lighting types. Most designers will tell you to “layer your lighting” which means to incorporate all three major lighting options into your home for optimal effect. Each type meets a particular need and without one, a home can feel cold and incomplete.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is lighting that works in a room overall. It is the light fixtures most commonly in the center of a room or overhead kitchen lights where the purpose is to illuminate an entire room. With ambient lighting, the light bounces off the ceiling and walls to lighten as much space as possible and creates a uniform light level throughout an area. To achieve indoor ambient lighting, homeowners often use a combination of the following:
- Chandeliers;
- Ceiling mounted or recessed fixtures that direct the light downwards;
- Cove, valance, soffit lighting or wall sconces that bounce light off the ceiling and adjacent walls;
- Floor lamps and table lamps that bounce light off adjacent walls.
Task Lighting
Opposed to the overall general lighting ambient fixtures provide, task lighting is targeted directly to a particular part of a room. Most often task lighting is suggested for areas where more direct, focused light is needed to perform a specific function. For instance, task lighting refers to overhead lights to read in a reading nook, desk lamps for craft, homework or sewing stations, pendent lights and under the counter track lighting in a kitchen for chopping and cooking. Task lighting in a home is often incorporated by:
- Pendent lighting;
- Recessed fixtures directed and downlit;
- Track or vanity lighting under cabinets or in closets;
- Table lamps, desk lamps and swing arm lamps.
Accent Lighting
Also referred to as “highlighting,” accent lighting draws attention to a specific point of interest and is what is often seen to draw attention to landscaping details outdoors. Inside, accent lighting is used most notably to illuminate architectural details, artwork, sculptures, plants, or collections on bookcases. This type of lighting can be incorporated by means of:
- Wall mounted fixtures;
- Recessed fixtures directed and downlit;
- Track lighting;
- Directional, focused pendent lighting.
To learn more about interior lighting and gain additional knowledge on how to incorporate it properly using the three different lighting types, read our Interior Lighting blog post from a couple years ago. We’d even love to show you around the different lighting options in our showroom.