The Importance of Lighting Interior Design
Interior lighting is one of the most important aspects of any living space. Light alters the mood of a room in an instant. No one enjoys a romantic dinner in a brightly lit room; it’s the shadows and muted lighting that creates ambience. When designing a space, you must define the experience you want to create by selecting lighting that reflects that definition. Indirect lighting creates intimacy, encouraging relaxation, while white and direct overhead lighting activates our brains and allows us to see smaller details.
Choosing the right type of lighting can be challenging, and once you’ve chosen your lights, you need to think about light placement.
Firstly, you’ll need to decide on the type of lighting you need in each room. You can typically break this into three different kinds: accent, ambient, or task lighting. Let’s look at the three different types.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting adds drama to a room by creating visual interest. As part of a considered interior design scheme, ambient lighting draws the eye to artwork, sculptures, and featured furniture and can also be used to highlight the texture of a brick or stone wall, window treatments, or outdoor landscaping. Think of accent lighting as a kind of mini spotlight.
Recessed and track lighting or wall-mounted picture lights are typical accent lighting.
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting creates warmth and atmosphere by gently illuminating a space with a gentle glow. Using a dimmer switch helps the functionality of ambient lighting, allowing you to lighten or darken a room depending on your need. Also known as general lighting, ambient lighting will enable you to see and walk about safely. Typically, ambient light fixtures include dimmable chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, and even recessed or track lights. Having a central ambient light source is critical in a good lighting plan.
Task lighting
Task lighting is predominantly functional, allowing you to perform specific tasks, such as reading, working, cooking, and more in a well-lit space. Task lighting often includes recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting, and under-cabinet lighting, as well as floor and desk lamps. Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows yet bright enough to prevent eye strain.
As you may have noticed, most lighting needs to be multi-functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. If you need any help choosing lighting for your heritage or period home, don’t hesitate to contact us about our light design service.
Choose Brass Décor lighting to illuminate your home
Our extensive range of light fittings and switches are available in various styles, including antique brass, bronze, and chrome. We also stock light fittings and switches in brushed and antique nickel and glass and hand-blown glass.
Please find our full range of light fixtures and fittings in our Nedlands showroom at 169 Stirling Highway, browse our product catalogues online, or call us on (08) 9386 6057 to find out what’s in stock to suit your home.