Layer Your Lighting
The lighting in a room can make or break the space. Sometimes, it can be hard to identify when lighting is the real issue. A poorly lit room can feel drab and dull while an over lit room can be draining and uncomfortable. We have all entered a room and intuitively wanted to flip a switch on or off, which is the first sign something is not quite right. Lighting can add drama and create a cozy nook while drawing attention to artwork or a favorite place to rest. Let’s take a look at lighting and how to best layer the light in your home.
The artificial lighting should enhance and compliment the volume of natural daylight that enters your room. This can change based on the time of day, time of year, weather, and orientation of the building. Natural light is the first element to consider when evaluating the lighting requirements for a room. Direct and indirect sunlight can also reek havoc to our decor causing damage, discoloration, and fading, but that is a topic for another day. Overall, natural light in a room simply put just makes us feel good and should be maximized when possible.
As designers, we usually consider three layers of artificial light for our residential interiors. General or ambient lighting creates the first overall lighting for a room and allows for movement in the space. Task lighting helps us to do something in the room such as dining, cooking, reading, drawing, grooming or working. And finally, accent lighting accentuates an object or feature of a room and sometimes the fixture itself is the statement piece.
Most rooms need general lighting, usually a ceiling mounted fixture or recessed lighting. I like to use dimmers for general lighting so I can adjust the backdrop light of a room depending on the season or time of day. Sometimes, it is the only layer needed depending on the size and function of a room, like a laundry room, hallway, or walk in closet. Task light options are as varied as the tasks within the room such as: undercabinet lighting in a kitchen, a floor lamp next to your reading chair, desk lamps, or a chandelier above your dining table. The need for task lighting is easy to identify because if you can’t do what you want, where you want, you will be inclined to move. Accent fixtures are like jewelry. They make a statement or provide a subtle hint of direction, such as a well placed wall washer highlighting a fireplace or wall sconces in a hall or entryway. Accent fixtures are a great way to flex your style and have some fun!
There are plenty of online calculators to help you determine the number of recessed or the size of a ceiling fixture needed for your general lighting in a room. More often than not, you will need at least two layers of light in a space. If you feel that something is missing, add another lamp or accent light, and never underestimate the power of a wall sconce. Experiment, have fun, and create a room that is yours.