Understand Different Types of Lights in Your House
Choosing the right type of lighting in your home is both an art and science. When done right, lightings can wondrously transform your space by creating the desired glow and mood. Lighting can also be used to accent your space and give it a decorative touch to enhance a design direction.
It is important to decide on the type of lights as it can influence the mood and tone of your space. If you prefer the ambience created by warm light, yet require white light when you perform an activity like reading, consider placing more than one light source in the room to serve various needs. In an open-concept kitchen for instance, you could use an overhead pendant with a warm glow above the kitchen counter where guests convene, but a white light above the stove when cooking. Depending on your needs, you can use a mix of lights.
It is also important to note that lights have a psychological effect on one. Too much or too little light is undesired. Having the right amount can have a positive effect on one’s mood.
Essentially, there are three types of lighting – ambient, task and accent lighting. Some light sources are a crossover of two types of lightings. For instance, an overhead pendant lamp can be both ambient and task lightings.
Light Colour and Temperature
The colour of your light influences how you perceive your surrounding and the appearance of light is known as colour temperature. A warm light for instance, is at the lower spectrum of the colour temperature scale – leaning towards an orange or amber to give a room an inviting, warm glow. On the opposite end of the spectrum is true daylight, which provides a pure white light, and in between the two is a bright, somewhat bluish cool-white.
A living room awash in warm light is welcoming. A modern industrial pendant light illuminate the space while serving as a decorative piece that seals a modish edge.
A timeless-looking pendant light helms the dining area with style
Ambient Lighting
This is the main source of illumination in your room. As the primary source of lighting, it can directly influence the ambience in your space. Examples of such lightings are multiple recessed lights installed in the ceiling or ceiling light at the centre of your dining area. When opting for ceiling light, choose one that matches the size of the room so that it does not appear out of proportion. Another option is hanging pendant lights or chandeliers.
The use of understated cove lightings serves as the main source of illumination along the perimeter of the living room.
Task Lighting
Task lightings assist you in performing a certain task such as reading or cooking. Since the purpose of task lightings is providing adequate lighting to brighten your space, cool-toned LED or bulbs are preferred over warm lights. Examples include a table lamp on your study table, or a floor lamp beside your bed. Such lightings are versatile and convenient as they require no installation and can be moved about as desired.
Track lighting is another example of task lighting – though it can also double up as ambient lighting. It can be mounted or suspended from the ceiling to give attention to a gallery wall. When using task lights, it is important to limit shadows and avoid glares that would make performing a task difficult.
This beautiful kitchen uses a combination of pendant lights, track lights and under-cabinet lights. Using multiple pendant lights is one way to infuse character while ensuring that the space beneath receives sufficient light. In this kitchen, a subtly-styled pendant is chosen so that it does not overwhelm the overall decor.
Accent Lighting
Accent lights are more aesthetic-centric. They add a decorative touch to accent your space. Often, they are also a focal point in your room and used to accentuate a style. Accent lights are one way to introduce colours or character. It can add drama to reinforce a design. Wall-mounted lights, also known as wall sconces, are an example of accent lighting. They are ideal in the bathroom besides the mirror or by the bed. They also overlap to serve as task lightings.
Wall-mounted sconces by the bedside are functional and beautiful, without taking up any table or floor space. Here, gold adds a hint of luxury to this bedroom.
Apart from wall-mounted sconces, decorative pendants make great accent lightings in the bathroom too. Perfect for adding extra glow when grooming after a bathe.
As a general rule of thumb, always plan for all three types of lightings in different parts of a home to make it more functional and pleasing.
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