Understating the basic types of lighting will help you get lighting works and looks good; while you do tasks around your space while reducing eye strain and fatigue. Good lighting can brighten up a room and make it feel more open, while bad lighting can make a space feel dark and unwelcoming. Good lighting should be functional and attractive. Let’s dive in into the basic types of lighting which are:
- Ambient or general lighting
- Accent lighting
- Task lighting.
- Decorative Lighting.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting, also known as general lighting, is the overall illumination that makes a space evenly lit. Ambient lighting helps to create a comfortable environment and can be adjusted to suit any activity or time of day. Ambient lighting during the day can be provided by the sun – this calls for proper positioning and sizing of the window. Ambient lighting is spread out across the entire room and doesn’t have dark or light zones. Ambient lighting is typically layered with other types of lighting; task lighting to light up task areas; accent lighting to highlight architectural aspects of a space.
Ambient lighting enhances atmosphere, improves visual comfort, and provides sufficient light in all areas. It also helps accentuate architectural elements, creating depth and visual interest in a room. Good ambient lighting should be white tunable and dimmable to suit the need. Ambient lights for a space should also be put on a separate lighting gang for conveniently turning it off when not needed.
To help you choose your ambient lighting solution:
- Assess the space’s layout, size, and purpose. Consider natural light, structural elements, and existing lighting to determine the best ambient lighting options.
- Choose appropriate ambient lighting fixtures, such as ceiling-mounted fixtures, wall sconces, or recessed lights. For suspended fixtures, select soft-diffusing covers or shades for a softer, more impressionistic glow.
- Plan lighting zones using soft ambient lighting to define different areas for specific activities or moods. More active areas like kitchens or home offices may require brighter ambient lighting, while relaxing zones like living rooms or bedrooms may need less.
- Layer ambient lighting with task and accent lighting. Task lighting illuminates specific areas for tasks, accent lighting highlights important areas, and ambient lighting enhances the overall design and perception. Layered lighting adds interest, flexibility, functionality, versatility, and practicality to your lighting scheme.
- Consider dimming and smart automation controls for accent and task lighting. Dimming controls allow for a smooth transition between activities or moods, creating an atmospheric experience at the touch of a button. Smart controls might be used to automatically set the light levels at specific times or triggers.
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Task Lighting
Task lighting is direct lighting used specifically for certain tasks, such as reading, writing, cooking, for a work bench, or other intricate work. It adds visibility to a small area, with light bright enough to illuminate small details, reduce strain on the eyes, and avoid distracting shadows. It is used to make a small area more visible by avoiding distracting shadows and providing light that is bright enough to highlight small details. It is important to position a task light so that it does not cast shadows or glare, this helps to provide the best visibility and the create the least amount of discomfort.
Here is a list of task lighting that we recommend for your space:
- Desk and Floor Lamps—Desk and floor lamps can easily be moved to wherever you need to use them. They are mostly plug-and-play and are often adjustable (brightness and direction), to provide the most personalized working environment. We offer a range of
- Under Cabinet Lighting – These comes in various finishes, shapes, sizes, brightness, beam angles, and specific installation requirements. If you are on rented property, go for peel-and-stick and battery-operated versions. On the other hand, homeowners can choose between surface-mounted or recessed
- Pendant Lights and Track Lights – These are the two most-used ceiling task lights. Pendant lights can provide decorative and functional lighting for coffee tables, kitchen islands, dining tables, etc. Track lights give you multiple light beams that you can direct wherever you want for more diversity and illumination.
- Wall Lights – They are perfect if you want to free up some space on your work desk, nightstand, or vanity table. Wall lights come in different styles, some offering more flexibility to accommodate your needs.
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Accent Lighting
Accent lighting involves using concentrated light beams to highlight and focus on outstanding features within a space. It is mostly used to accentuate works of art, walls, cabinets and shelves, plants and sculptures, and also paths and driveways.
Accent lighting enhances the ambience of your home, creates a interesting point of focus, and can also help highlight your wall décor. When paired with dimmers, accent lighting can transform a room from bland to warm and cozy. It can also highlight central fireplaces, paintings, and architectural structures, making your home more inviting.
Here are some suggestions to help you choose your best accent lighting options:
Accent Wall lights: This come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles helping you achieve beautiful illumination for your space. They are perfect for creating focal points on the wall and are usually used as decorative accessories in hallways.
Display and Picture lights: Make your favorite pictures or art pieces stand out with picture lights. Display and picture lights provide concentrated lighting that helps to bring out rich details and vivid colors of your artistic pieces.
Track Lights: These are multiple adjustable track heads and spotlights along a suspended track or rail system that can provide accent lighting in a number of directions. Use them to illuminate sculptures and artwork on corridors and walls.
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Decorative Lighting
Decorative lighting is about elevating the visual quality of a space while still providing light. Functional lighting is concerned with accomplishing the most visibility and readiness with the least effort. Where decorative lighting gets fun is that it creates an atmosphere, shows off architectural features, and gives the room a sense of style.
Decorative lighting comes in many varieties: chandeliers, pendant lights, wall sconces, fairy lights, and LED strips, to name a few. And decorative lighting can be used indoors or outdoors. Whatever the lighting location is, decorative lighting can invoke emotional reactions of comfort or friendliness, or even dramatic feelings, depending on the design aesthetic, and configurations of use.
Here are some popular kinds of decorative lighting you may want to consider:
- Chandeliers – Classy and fun, great for a dining room or an entryway.
- Pendant Lights – Trendy hanging lights that work well above kitchen islands or dining tables.
- Wall Sconces – Mounted lights that can add a soft glow to hallways, bedrooms, or bathrooms.
- Fairy Lights – Small strings of lights that can create whimsical coziness.
- LED Strips – Flexible in terms of installation possibilities, they can be under cabinets, on walls or behind TVs, offering a modern look.
- Track Lighting – Adjustable lights that ride on a light track, ideal for projecting light on pieces of art or at certain areas.
- Cove Lighting – Recessed lighting provides a way to have lighting without it being easily visible, these lights can be installed in ceilings or walls to provide indirect lighting.
Each contributes to your space’s atmosphere, however, whether warm, dramatic, cozy, or modern.
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Need more information?
Give us a call on +254 756 44 55 66, email us using contact@lighting.co.ke or use our contact form to start on your incredible journey to a stellar lighting system. We typically respond within 24 hours. We have wholesale prices and accounts for resellers available on request. We have the in-house expertise to help you design, purchase and execute your project with confidence. We have executed a variety of lighting projects across East Africa. You are in good hands.
