A Deep Dive Into Different Residential Lighting Types

Many homeowners have beautiful houses, but often times they are missing out on the homeyness intentionally layered lighting brings. 

Lighting is meant to be layered and creates ambiance for different settings. Relying on General lighting as your only source of light is an oversimplified lighting scheme and produces an unwelcoming environment. A house isn’t a home without the proper lighting! Let’s dig into the different residential lighting types, their function, and their locations.

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General Lighting

• “can” lighting
• Creates a uniform illumination of light
• Illuminates for function, not aesthetic 
• Important to space them to avoid spots
• Causes shadows
• Consider ceiling fan placement to avoid strobing effect if blades intersect light path
• Direct light

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Ambient Lighting

• “architectural lighting”
• Pairs with General lighting- controlling light temperature
• Used to light a complete area
• Illuminates primarily for function 
• Set with dimmers to adjust lighting levels- especially helpful during different times of the day
• Creates drama
• Indirect light 

Mood Lighting

• Often overlooked, but just as important as the General and Ambient lighting
• Important for the overall look and feel of the room
• Creates dramatic spreads of light that balance out the shadows of General lighting
• Both style and function is of importance 
• Lighting type that is closest to the eye (diffuse bulb with a shade or filter to avoid glare)
• Lower wattage, complements high wattage of General lighting
• Too high of a wattage is hazardous due to the proximity of most fixtures’ shades
• Lamp shade tips: Dark shade = moody, dramatic feel; Pale shade = allows as much light in; Silver/Gold Lined shades = ultimate illumination as it creates a reflective glow

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Task Lighting

• Needs a higher wattage for tasks like cooking or working
• Combine with ambient lighting to avoid eye strain from bright to dull areas
• Examples are table lamps, floor lamps, front lit LED mirrors & even reading light sconces mounted beside a headboard!
• Other examples are pendants over prep/cooking area in kitchen, underlit cabinets
• Can also be seen in toe kick lighting or stair lighting to help guide someone through their home

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Accent Lighting 

• Used to highlight certain features of a room
• Examples are spotlights used to light artwork or any display pieces/sculptures
• Without accent lighting, features could get lost in an un-illuminated pocket or shadow
• Requires a higher wattage, like task lighting
• Sometimes there is an overlap between Ambient and Accent lighting
• Architectural Accent lighting is softer than Architectural Ambient lighting because it highlights textures and perimeters rather than a single object.

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Lighting Types & locations

Chandeliers 

A type of ambient lighting as it is dimmable and on a separate control as general

Typically used in foyer, family room, bedroom and sometimes bathroom.

Pendants

A type of task lighting. Can be used over kitchen island, dining tables, bedroom nightstands, bathroom vanities as well as bars.

Sconces

A type of mood or accent lighting as it can highlight certain features by wall washing or create a glowing effect. Seen on stair walls, dining rooms, bed walls, media rooms, hallways and exterior applications.

Table Lamp & Floor Lamp

A type of task lighting (used on a work desk, nightstand, side table) as well as mood lighting (more dependent on shade and how much light is omitted). Used in family rooms, bedrooms, and studies.

Up Lighting

Light is introduced to a room by bouncing off the ceiling and then reflects back into the room. Softer alternative to downlighting.

Down Lighting

Powerful form of light that highlights a specific piece or element. Needs to be balanced with ambient lighting as it casts intense shadows.

Wall Washing 

Evenly illuminates a vertical space very delicately. Placed further away from the desired illuminated plane.

Wall Grazing 

Light placed very close to the plane to intensely highlight its texture. Meant to create more dynamic shadows.

Hopefully this excerpt provided a good guideline for what residential types of lighting to include when considering updating or building your home. It is truly one of the most underutilized aspects of a space that makes the biggest impact!

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Online Sources:

https://www.luxdeco.com/the-luxurist/ultimate-lighting-guide-luxury-interiors