There are many elements to interior design from the choice of soft furnishings, to the selection of art and sculpture. An equally important element however is the choice of interior lighting. The way you choose to illuminate space is fundamental in the way in which looks, and feels. It is generally thought that there are 3 main types of lighting used today in design; these are ambient, task and accent. Frequently they are used in conjunction with each other in layers to achieve stunning effects.
Ambient
Ambient lighting is the illumination that lights a space. It gives the most general light in a room; an example of ambient would be overhead lights or even spotlights recessed into the ceiling. This should be thought of as your foundation for your other types of illumination, replacing the daylight that would normally come through the windows or skylights.
Task
Task lighting is a fairly utilitarian form of illumination, used when there is a practical need for light. An example would be a desk lamp or a reading light; it could even apply to lighting over a kitchen worktop. Whilst task lighting has a specific purpose that does not mean that it has to counteract your accent efforts, it can compliment other forms of illumination effectively.
Accent
Accent lighting can be considered the interior designer’s most useful tool. It is typically used to illuminate architectural features or the decorative elements within a room. This could also be used with different colours to create stunning design effects. This type of illumination can also be used extremely creatively, by using moving light patterns or even candles for a cosy, romantic feel.
Ultimately the combination of accent, ambient and task lighting within a room can create amazing design aesthetics. It is through careful planning and even a bit of trial and error that it is possible to layer the three forms of lighting so that the room positively shimmers and shines once the sun goes down.
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