Let’s state the obvious: You live in your house and you cook there, entertain there and sleep there, so you have to have the lighting to match all those activities. This is where layered lighting comes in! Now, if you are wondering what on earth layered lighting is, this article is about to tell you all you need to know about it as well as direct you to places like Simple Lighting to make sure you get everything you need.
What is Layered Lighting?
Layered lighting is exactly what it sounds like – putting together different kinds of light to create the desired result. The 3 main layers of lighting typically talked about are task accent and ambient lighting and when they are combined, they create magic in your home once you understand how they work. Let’s dig a little deeper into this, shall we?
Ambient Lighting: The Foundation of Your Space
Well, since light layering is essentially building, we might as well start from the ground upland in this light building, the foundation is your ambient light. Ambient light is your primary source of light and is usually used as the base for all your other sources. It is typically the brightest and reaches into all the crevices of your room.
A substantial chandelier or statement pendant light in the living room both function as decorative centrepieces, but in addition, they provide large amounts of ambient light to light the space. Incorporating dimmer switches to the lighting setup will give you flexibility in deciding how bright you want your ambient lighting depending on the time of day or the mood you’re trying to set.
Task Lighting: Focused Light for Specific Activities
Say you are over the stove and need lighting that specifically shines into the pot of chilli that is over the cooktop. Or perhaps you want something that helps you look over your paperwork when you are having those late-night work sessions in your office. Then task lighting is exactly what you need. This lighting is mostly all about function!
LED strip lights beneath kitchen cupboards are a great example of this. They light up countertops for food prep without the harsh illumination of overhead lights. A table lamp with some modern flair can become a practical worker in a home workspace. And bedroom table lamps are the perfect accompaniment for reading, providing a warm, subtle light that won’t interrupt the sleep of your partner.
Accent Lighting: Highlighting Key Features and Creating Mood
This type of light is used to add depth and dimension to a room. Accent lighting focuses light on a particular area or object including works of art or dramatic architectural details.
Place lights in corners of rooms or use wall sconces to illuminate art and family photos. Dining room lighting can light up a centrepiece, bringing it to focus at the table in an imaginative, visually appealing way. LED Strip lights can also be a fun way to add visual interest to shelves, display cases or even the undersides of furniture.
Dimming and Smart Lighting for Flexibility and Control
Flexibility is key in today’s world. Enter dimmable lights and smart LED systems. These lights give you the power to change your home environment right at your fingertips.
Not only do dimmers allow you to adjust the lighting throughout the day (bright daylight to get that sun is high up at 9 am feel or intimate lighting that helps you wind down in the evening), but smart lighting also goes beyond with the ability to program settings or use apps to manage lights, making setting the mood at your dinner party a soft cakewalk.
Tips for Layering Lighting in Different Rooms
Here are some tailored ideas to get you lighting up your favourite rooms.
- Living rooms: Multiple floor lamps and overhead lights with accent lighting (for those shelves with your cool books and figurines) make for the perfect lighting that creates the perfect atmosphere for those game nights or any other casual get-together.
- Kitchens: Task lighting under overhead lighting ensures you can see what you’re doing.
- Bedrooms: With bedrooms, you can throw in ambient lighting, overhead lighting and bedside task lighting essentially softer lighting. The bedroom should be serene, calming and optimised for sleep.
Creating the Perfect Ambience in Your Home With Lighting
Layered lighting really helps to elevate your space; from lighting that makes work easier and helps you enjoy said work to lighting that helps you relax and accentuate the best features of your home. So why not explore layered lighting for your home?
