One aspect of a house that can be overlooked sometimes is lighting, yet we use it all the time. Light helps brighten an area so we can walk confidently across the room and can even highlight a grand masterpiece in the foyer. Because lighting is so versatile, it is essential to consider all the options before selecting a light source in a room.
There are several different types of lighting, all with different results for your space. The main three are ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Before you can choose a light for a space, you need to identify what kind of lighting you need and how you can achieve it.
Ambient lighting: Also known as general lighting, this type of light provides an overall illumination of an area. It emits a comfortable level of brightness needed to safely walk around the house. In smaller spaces, ambient light can be a source for task lighting. This type of lighting can be emitted by chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures or mounted outdoor lanterns.
Task lighting: This lighting assists specific tasks, such as preparing and cooking food, folding laundry, applying makeup, shaving, etc. Pendant lights are a great source of task lighting in the kitchen over an island or prep bar. In the bathroom, sconces can be used around the mirror to make for a brighter area. Table lamps can be used throughout the house to add more lighting in the living room or on an accent table in the hallway.
Accent lighting: This lighting setup adds visual interest to a particular area, normally a piece of artwork, house plant or interesting piece of furniture. Accent lighting needs to be at least three times as bright as the general lighting in the room to effectively highlight the targeted area. Depending on the area being accented, pendant lights and simple sconces can be used.
With these three types of lighting in mind, you can begin to see a brighter future for every room of your home improvement.
Source: American Lighting Association
