Illuminating the Different Types of Lighting in the Design World

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Illuminating the Different Types of Lighting in the Design World
Illuminating the Different Types of Lighting in the Design World

 

Lighting is the king (or queen) of interior outlining. It’s a universally acknowledged truth that without proper lighting, a room doesn’t live up to its true potential and design loses its luster. When designers think about an interior lighting plan, they picture a mighty tool that has a threefold purpose in any given living space. In order to make the most of the functionality and the beautifying effect that lighting offers, in the world of design, there are three main categories that ultimately make up a whole: ambient, task and accent/dĂ©cor lighting.

Ambient

Ambient lighting ensures that your space is comfortable enough and that everything is illuminated somewhat. Usually taking the form of ceiling mounted light fixtures or overhead recessed lighting, this type of illumination is also called general lighting since it is the central source of light. In certain cases, even floor lamps can fall into this category due to their ability to provide wide illumination. There is a common misconception that ambient lighting comes down to only one source of light, but this cannot be further from the truth. On the contrary, according to the pros, only by using the right combination of recessed down lighting, floor and deck lamps and decorative sconces, can one truly say that a place has a warm and intimate ambiance. Furthermore, remember that when shopping for your perfect lighting online or in stores, you need to check if the fixtures feature dimmer control and also, make sure that putting different switches for the various types of lighting is a part of your plan.

Task

As the name itself implies, this type of lighting is used for the purpose of adding more visual functionality to a specific task, such as preparing food, reading, writing, grooming or even playing games. Since the illumination provided by the ambient lights is not enough for the focus and attention these tasks require, in order to avoid eye strain, professionals suggests adding portable deck and floor lamps as well as pendant, track, recessed and under-cabinet lighting. It is also important to note that task lights are to be three times brighter than the general light used in the room.

Accent

No matter where you place it, your favorite piece of art will never reach its full potential as an object of appreciation if you don’t treat it with proper illumination. Apart from bringing specific objects into life, such as bookcases and sculptures, accent lights can also be used to put emphasis on a textured wall. The most common way for achieving this is through the use of dimmers or picture and track lights.

By successfully layering these three types of lighting, you can take over the control over what is to receive more attention and what should remain in the shadows. We may not have the ability to control natural light, but when it comes to unnatural sources of illumination, one can surely become a puppet master of manipulation. You can find an endless array of ideas for decorative lighting online and see what you can incorporate into your own home.

Space
Lighting plays a very important role in helping us create a certain illusion. It has the power to make a room appear wider or narrower. One widely known rule of thumb is: the brighter the light, the wider the room will appear. For very small spaces, designer suggest straying away from stand-alone lamps and opting for track lighting. To enhance the widening power of these lights, it is advisable to paint the walls in the brightest shade of white. Yet another trick for visually extending a small room is directing the light towards the ceiling through the use of contemporary track lighting along with wall lights and floor lamps. Any room can appear more spacious if it features a well illuminated and has a white colored ceiling.

Color
The level of coolness or warmth that a light fixture emits depends on the type of bulb. If you want your space to appear as surreal as if it stepped out of a dream, using different layers of illumination is key. However, in order to achieve this, you must bear in mind that all light bulbs must be complimentary in their color since competing colors will destroy all of your effort to achieve perfect balance and put emphasis on your décor. I recommend use warm white tones to achieve a soothing and comforting feel in your home.

 

 

 

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