How to enhance your space with efficient and effective lighting combinations
Vancouver, BC - August 31, 2010 - What good is the perfect paint colour or crystal vase in a poorly lit space? To bring any design to life, purposeful and efficient lighting is imperative. Effective lighting creates a mood and must account for each function that a room will have.
Ambient lighting: General lighting that produces an overall glow. Fixtures should be inconspicuous, like pot lights.
Task lighting: To be used for a specific area and when performing a certain task. Cooking, reading and writing are examples of task lighting and can be addressed using table lamps or under cabinet lighting.
Accent lighting: Highlights decorative features within a space or an area of the space and is the most dramatic type of lighting.
Decorative lighting: Decorative lighting is treated as a design feature. A sculptural lamp base or candle sticks are two great examples.
Each room will require all or a combination of the lighting types above. Kitchen lighting fixtures for example will always include ambient lighting in the form of ceiling fixtures or pot lights. Because of the various functions within a kitchen task lighting is also a must. Under cabinet lighting is a practical way to highlight your workspace. A living room may include all four types of lighting. Ambient lighting and task lighting in the form of a table lamp are both practical.
For additional decorative elements, candles create a cozy glow and spot lights can help create a favorite piece of art of a collage of family portraits into a focal point. In the dining room, a dramatic chandelier or pendant would offer a combination of ambient and decorative lighting. To further enhance the versatility of lighting, consider replacing standard light switches with dimmers. You can create any given mood by being able to control how intense or soft your desired lighting will be.
Whatever room you are designing, remember the importance of lighting to help your vision shine! Want to learn more about interior design? Fill out the form to your right for more information on the Interior Design program at VCAD.