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Thursday, October 16, 2014
Layers of Light
What are the layers of light and why are they important in home lighting design?
It’s a great question because lighting is often overlooked
when decorating your home. Proper
layering of light makes all the difference.
If you get it wrong you’re squinting – either from not enough light or
from the glare of too much. Getting your
lighting right will not only make it easier on your eyes and a more comfortable
space to live in but it will also make your décor look fantastic!
What are the layers?
There are three layers of lighting – ambient, task and
accent lighting. Each layer has a
purpose and it takes all of the layers to have a good lighting design.
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| Velentino Chandelier in Mocha |
Ambient Lighting
The first layer is ambient. Ambient lighting is the general lighting in
your home. It actually comes from
multiple sources. You get ambient
lighting from windows and skylights but it is also the lighting
that substitutes for natural lighting.
In other words, the overhead lighting – chandeliers, ceiling fixtures
and any recessed or track lighting you may have. This light source provides the basic lighting
needed to see.
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| Prince George Table Lamp |
Task Lighting
The second layer is task
lighting. Just like the name implies
this is the lighting you need to perform some type of task. It could be a lamp by your chair you use to
read by or the desk lamp on your desk you use to help you see your work. Task
lighting may be under cabinet lighting that helps you prepare food or vanity
lighting that allows you to see to apply your makeup.
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| Scroll Black Sconce |
Accent Lighting
The third layer is
accent lighting. This layer provides
atmosphere and is typically used to highlight something. For instance niche lighting or directed can
lighting may be used to highlight an architectural feature of your home. Picture lights are used to highlight artwork.
Wall sconces might be used to highlight a mirror or piece of art. Even the lighting inside a cabinet with glass
doors is accent lighting. This level of
lighting is often the most neglected.
Where do mistakes happen?
Patricia Rizzo of the Lighting Research Center was quoted in
3
Basic Types of Lighting, a post by Jill Connors for HGTVRemodels.com
as saying “Too many people make the mistake of expecting one type of lighting
to do it all. Each type meets a
particular need.” We agree
completely. It is the layering of light
at all levels that creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. You can’t leave one out and expect the same
effect.
How do you plan for lighting?
It really isn’t as hard as it seems. You just address all three layers of
light. First stop and think about what
the purpose of the room is. What kind of
tasks will you perform? What type of
lighting will you need to perform the tasks and where will you be?
It is typically best to address the layers in the order
mentioned above. Start with ambient or
your general lighting. Then add in your
task lighting. Now take a look at the
room – what do you want to accent? Approaching
it systematically will ensure that you have all three layers of the light you
need for functionality but also for visual interest.
If you’d like to learn more about lighting, Light Logic is a blog
dedicated to helping consumers learn about lighting. There are tons of tips for lighting every
room of your home and they cover energy efficiency as well.
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| 3 Layers of Lighting |
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