Lighting is an often overlooked design detail when you are thinking of remodeling or buying a home but it is also one of the most important elements of design. I would say it is more important than color! Most people have no idea what type of lighting is required for each space and why it is necessary. It is essential to know the purpose of a room before creating a lighting plan. Some people think the only purpose of lighting is to provide light during the darkest hours of the night but it is so much more. Lighting can influence our mood, work efficiency, and overall flow of the rooms design. Sure, it is fun to dream up a new wall color and imagine relaxing in your new beautifully furnished living room but all these details will not matter without proper lighting. Lighting, in short, is what sets the tone and ambiance of a room. To better understand the impact of a well lit home, let’s first identify the three main types of lighting.
Besides daylight, the three main types of lighting are: 1) ambient lighting, 2) accent lighting, and 3) task lighting. Ambient lighting is used to provide even consistent lighting throughout a room. It is general lighting that provides the main source of light in a room. This is the foundation for lighting in the room. It can be provided by a central overhead light source like a chandelier but may need to be combined with other sources of light like recessed down lighting. The second type of lighting, accent lighting, is used to create different focal points by focusing light on a specific object or area of the room. It is to create a mood by focusing light on a specific area of a room. Think of how art is displayed in an art gallery. Would the paintings look as special if they were not illuminated by spot lighting? Popular forms of accent lighting are table lamps, sconces, and recessed lighting. Accent lighting is what makes your living room cozy or what gives the room an overall mood. Lastly, let’s talk about task lighting. Task lighting is lighting that is used to perform specific tasks. It is a light source dedicated to light an area for a specific task. Under cabinet lighting provides reflected light onto the counter for the homeowner to chop or prepare food. Pendant lighting reflected onto a bar or island will provide just enough glow for comfortable dining. Kitchens, offices, bathrooms, and dining areas are all common rooms that benefit from task lighting. You don’t need to remember the exact specifics of lighting during a consultation with your interior designer, but it is important to understand what you would like to use each space for. Then your designer can best combine these three types of lighting into your space.
I hope that this helps you to select right lighting as you remodel your home. Good luck!
*Featured photography by Yoko Oda Interior Design LLC.
