The right lighting can create a welcoming ambience and pleasant experience for you and your guests in your home. Good lighting design enhances the mood of your home and draws the eye to certain focal points that you may not have noticed otherwise - it’s also felt and not directly seen.
Lighting design is all about incorporating multiple layers of light. There are three main categories of lighting - ambient, task and accent lighting. A combination of these is required to having a well-lit space that has good ambience and is functional allowing your family’s safe completion of tasks. These layers can also be used to customize the level of light within a space.
Ambient Lighting
The first and most important layer is ambient lighting. Ambient lighting provides a room with general illumination and is the most basic type of lighting. This type of lighting allows us to move around the space safely and perform general activities with ease. Because ambient lighting provides the overall lighting in a room, it should provide a comfortable level of brightness without having too much glare.
Ambient lighting can come from a ceiling mounted light fixture in the centre of the room, recessed pot lights, or any other combination of lighting that provides overall illumination.
Ambient lighting can be achieved with the following:
Chandeliers
Chandeliers are a dramatic centrepiece in any room they’re in, adding a touch of elegance and class to any space. Whether you go for a classic style with crystals, modern, rustic, or industrial, the light coming off a chandelier is always magnificent.
Ceiling lights
Ceiling lights are some of the most important and frequently used lights in your home, commonly used for ambient, task and general lighting sources in a room. From recessed lights to ceiling fixtures, there are a lot of options available for you.
Floor lamps
Portable floor lighting is one of the simplest methods you can use to light a corner in the room or add more illumination to any area.
Task Lighting
Task lighting provides the illumination necessary to complete tasks safely and efficiently. Examples of such tasks are applying makeup in the bathroom, chopping and cooking in the kitchen, or studying and reading in the living room and den.
You can layer additional sources of lighting in areas that need it.
Supplement your ambient kitchen lighting with undercabinet lighting which can help you prepare food on the countertop, or pendant lighting over the kitchen island.
Wall sconces by the bathroom mirror help you get ready for a night out.
A desk lamp, or a lamp by a comfortable chair will help you read with comfort.
Task lighting helps you do what you want safely and without eye strain.
Task lighting can be accomplished with the following:
Vanity lights
Choose something with style and quality that both suits your décor and creates a soothing environment.
Pendants
Pendant lighting is excellent task lighting for kitchen islands. Arrange them in a series of three for a visually appealing yet very functional effect.
Table lamps
These complement and enhance the style of a room and play a big part in setting the lighting ambiance through the size and thickness of the shade and strength of the bulb.
Accent Lighting
While accent lighting is not essential to safety or easily completing everyday tasks, it is very important in interior lighting design. Accent lighting is used to highlight various items, such as a piece of art or architectural feature like shelves or alcoves. Accent lighting adds drama to a space.
Think of accent lighting as the jewelry your room needs for its prettiest presentation. Accent lights don’t have to be functional (though they can be) and come in a huge variety of options. You can use accent lighting to illuminate a shelf or cabinet that showcases your favourite items.
Lighting a home may not be as straightforward as you’d think—but it doesn’t have to be complicated, either.
Comfort, utility and aesthetics can all be achieved using layered lighting: Ambient light to provide general illumination and comfort, task lighting for utilitarian jobs and accent lighting to dress up any room.
Shannon Payne Agencies is your lighting manufacturers representative specialist, proudly providing premium lighting solutions for residential, commercial and hospitality industries in Western Canada.
We are inspired to deliver excellent customer service and to help you realize your lighting goals. We are proud of our relationships with the lighting manufacturers we represent. Trust that the products we offer are of top quality. Contact us via e-mail or call 604-270-4207 and let us help you with all your lighting needs!