The 3 Lighting Fundamentals for as Well Lit Space

Oct 30th 2015 Staff

Lighting is key in making your home and interior design look amazing. It can be the difference in setting the mood as well. Lower lighting may be more relaxed or intimate where as brighter light in one area may serve as a focal point in the room.

It’s also important to most people to have lighting fixtures that create a wow factor in the home. When devising a home lighting plan as part of a renovation or new home purchase, it’s important to cover the 3 basic lighting fundamentals.

Ambient, task and decorative lighting all serve distinct yet important purposes in your living space. Although some newly-built homes in are already outfitted with all three kinds of lighting, some homeowners like to change out some lights to better express their design style. Here are three types of lighting that are imperative to any room.

1. Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is often called “general lighting” because it illuminates a room. Before choosing your specific ambient lighting choices, think about what you will be doing in each of the rooms with ambient lighting. Also, consider the mood you hope to achieve. Ambient is often your central light source for a room. Recessed lights, track lights, a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted fixture can all provide ambient lighting.

2. Task Lighting

When you need to do something specific such as read, chop up vegetables on a cutting board in the kitchen or work on crafts, you may need extra task lighting. Desk lamps, floor lamps, pendant lights and special cabinet lighting are a few of the task lighting options. In addition to talk lighting, it’s also important to have lights in dim hallways and at the entryway to prevent falls and accidents.

3. Decorative Lighting

Decorative lighting creates a statement in a room, often defining the decorating style. Whether you like shabby chic, contemporary, modern, traditional or transitional, it’s easy to find a decorative light to hang in the dining room. Decorative lights create a statement in the foyer as well. Another side to decorative lighting is the accent lighting or focused lights that put light on actual pieces of art or architectural features in your home. Track lights, recessed lights and special pendant lights can be used to add drama and focus.If you have lived in your home for many years, it may be time to update your lighting fixtures to something more contemporary. People who recently purchased a home may just not have the same tastes as the former homeowners. Some new home builders don’t put the most exciting or trendy decorative lighting in homes, but they can easily be changed out.

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