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Each area in your house has a distinct function and purpose, and the lighting you choose should reflect that. Task-oriented lighting is required in some places, such as the kitchen or laundry room, while indirect, general illumination is prefered in others, such as living rooms. That means fixtures, light intensity, and lighting placement should all be different throughout spaces.
The Three Layers of Lighting You Need in Your Home
Ambient, task, and accent lighting are the three types of light you will need. Which types you need will be determined by the size of your space, style, and purpose of the room. To properly illuminate a room, at least two layers are required. Adding a layer of light can sometimes substantially improve the quality of light in your home.
Ambient / General Lighting
Every room can benefit from ambient lighting, often known as general lighting with a comfortable brightness level. The best place to start when lighting a room is with ambient light sources placed overhead, also known as ceiling light fixtures. Ceiling fans, chandeliers, flush mount or semi-flush mount ceiling lights, pendants, recessed lighting, torchiere lamps, track lighting, vanity lighting, and wall sconces are examples of ambient light sources commonly found in homes worldwide.
Compared to incandescent bulbs, LED downlights can save up to 80% on electricity. You also save 75% on electricity when compared to halogen lighting. You save money on your energy expenses as a result. LED downlights use a low voltage power source, which increases electrical safety as well.
Lighting for a Specific Task
Task lighting allows you to see while working on a project. It provides the bright, direct light required for intensive work in the kitchen, office, and bathroom, such as reading, cooking, prepping and putting on makeup. Desk lamps, island or mini pendants, built-in makeup vanity, and work lamps are all task light sources for your lighting strategy.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting can draw attention to particular aspects of your home’s décor, such as a painting or a mantel. It can also be used as a secondary light source in a room to supplement ambient lighting. Ambient lighting primarily illuminates the ceiling, while accent lighting illuminates space areas where ambient light does not reach. Recessed lighting, track lighting, and wall sconces are all options for accent lighting in your home interior illumination.
The Living Room
Because living rooms are frequently used for various activities, lighting that can readily adapt for informal entertaining, intimate movie evenings, and other activities is essential. A flexible track with LED downlights lighting is suitable for living rooms. To modify your lighting design at any time, you can move, swivel, spin, and aim individual lights. Adjustable beams allow you to create the desired pattern or wash of light without changing bulbs.
If you have a TV in your living room, utilise lighting that doesn’t cast shadows or glare to create a movie-theatre atmosphere. When the TV is turned off, pendants make excellent living room illumination. Dimmable sconces, track lights, and moulding with uplights provide safe movement without detracting from the action when it’s turned on. For living rooms, 10-20 lumens per square foot is usually sufficient.
Kitchen Illumination
For optimal illumination, most kitchens, especially bigger ones, will require multiple lighting sources. Choose a ceiling fixture or recessed can lights that evenly disperse light across the space for ambient (or overall) lighting. Then, to provide task lighting, place light sources immediately above work areas. Over an island, pendant lights are popular, and undercabinet lights are perfect for food processing areas.
Accent lights are a great way to add function to your kitchen lighting arrangement. Late-night treks to the kitchen can benefit from tape lights in the toe-kick area (between the cabinet and the floor). Dishes on open shelves or glass-front cupboards can be highlighted with strip lights or downlights.
Kitchen task areas, such as the island or other locations where you frequently chop vegetables require more intense lighting. A decent rule of thumb to remember is 70-80 lumens per square foot when purchasing lightbulbs. In general, 30-40 lumens per square foot will suffice in kitchen parts that are not used for food preparation.
Layers Are Key for the Bedroom
Your bedroom is generally the only room in your house where you spend time when it’s fully dark, entirely bright, or somewhere in between. To make your bedroom a comfortable place to rest your head at night, rise and shine each morning, and go about your day, get the lighting design right.
The key to getting the optimum lighting in your bedroom is understanding how to arrange your lights. Finding the perfect blend of ambient, task, and accent lighting are essential. You’ll be able to produce illumination for every mood and activity with the flick of a switch once you’ve achieved this harmony.
Because bedrooms typically have lower ceilings, excessively tall floor lights may dominate and disrupt the environment. A striking floor light combined with the adequate wall light, on the other hand, will make a beautiful statement feature in the bedroom, provided space is not an issue. Accent lighting should be regulated on a separate circuit from the ambient lighting and should be at least three times brighter than the ambient lighting.
Lights for the Bathroom
In a bathroom, the wrong illumination can be unpleasant or even dangerous. Avoid lighting that shines down on the mirror since it will cast undesirable shadows. Instead, position lighting on both sides of mirrors, such as pendants or sconces, for more balanced lighting. Consider adjustable sconces for a shared bathroom that can adapt to various lighting demands. Bathrooms benefit from bright lighting, so aim for 70-80 lumens per square foot.
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