Identifying Types of Lighting for the Home

Posted on 04 August 2009

When it comes to lighting for the home, there are several different types that affect the way in which a space is perceived.  Lighting is truly a critical aspect of home design.  It gives a space depth and sets the mood – from bright and cheerful to dimly lit and mysterious. In addition, good lighting is essential in facilitating many of our everyday tasks.  There are three basic types of lighting sources that are commonly used in the home:

• .- Ambient Lighting
• .- Task Lighting
• .- Accent Lighting

Ambient Lighting or general lighting refers to available or existing light that it comes from many directions.  In the daytime, natural lighting typically provides much of the ambient lighting for the home. It also refers to the general illumination created by overhead lights, table lamps lighting, chandeliers, and other fixtures.  The light from these sources bounces off various interior surfaces and creates illumination from many directions. In the evening, if the only lamp in a room is a table lamp, then the table lamp is providing the ambient lighting.  But too, if you put an object directly under the lamp’s beam, it may also be providing task lighting – provided that the light from the bulb is sufficiently bright.

Task lighting is used to help with a specific task such as reading, cooking, drawing, or sewing – light is focused on specific areas to enhance sight. Some examples of task lighting include a swing arm desk lamp or kitchen countertop lighting located on the underside of the cabinets above. In the bathroom, a portable make-up mirror with lights is another example that is designed to specifically focus light on an object – such as a face.   Each provides specific illumination to a particular area for aiding in certain tasks.

Accent lighting is an excellent way to bring a room to life – and set the mood.  The lighting source may be a decorative feature or it may not be visible at all.  Some examples of accent lighting include recessed lighting, track/cable lighting, cove lighting, buffet table lamps, wall sconces, uplights/ torchiere lamps, and so on.  When used for accent lighting, recessed and track lights are very useful in highlighting wall features and sculptural objects.  Spotlights can be used with glass filters of different colors to create a party mood. Wall sconces can give a subtle background light. Uplights/ torchiere lights give light in the upward direction to create either soft, diffused patterns or angular, concentrated patterns.

Great lighting for the home is as much an art as it is a science.  The artful application of ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting will make almost any interior or exterior space exceptional.

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