How to Select Lighting for Each Room of Your Home: 4 Important Tips

Last updated on January 30th, 2024 at 03:21 pm

One of the most important aspects of your home is lighting. Although it sometimes doesn’t get the attention it deserves, lighting can set the mood, create ambiance, and make it easier to do specific tasks, like cooking or reading. It also figures into your home’s energy consumption and costs.

We’re going to discuss how to select lighting for your home without sacrificing comfort or safety. With so many types of lighting available, it can be difficult to decide which is right for each room. And since each area of your home has different lighting needs, it’s important to understand the basics before making a decision.

How to Select Lighting for Each Room of Your Home

Understand the Different Types  of Lighting

There are four main types of lighting: natural, ambient, task, and accent. Natural lighting comes from the sun and is the best type of lighting for a room. However, it’s not always possible to rely on natural light, so ambient, task, and accent lighting are often used in conjunction with or instead of, natural light.

Ambient lighting is general or overall lighting that’s meant to evenly illuminate a space. It can be accomplished with recessed lights, track lights, or even floor lamps. Ambient lighting is often used in living rooms and bedrooms to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Task lighting on the other hand is designed to help you complete specific tasks like cooking, working at a desk, or applying makeup. It’s brighter than ambient lighting and is often focused on one area.

The best type of task lighting is LED because it doesn’t produce heat and can be directed to exactly where you need it. And, the right LED task lighting can even help to reduce eye strain. Besides LED lights, you can use track lighting or pendant lights for task lighting in the kitchen.

Finally, accent lighting is used to highlight specific features in a room like artwork, architectural details, or plants. It’s usually more intense than ambient lighting and is often used in conjunction with other types of lighting to create the desired effect. Accent lighting can be provided by recessed lights, track lights, or even floor lamps.

Consider the Size of the Room

The size of the room is an important factor to consider when you’re ready to select lighting. In a small room, you’ll want to avoid using too many different types of lighting because it will make the space feel busy and cluttered. It’s best to stick with one or two types of lighting in a small room so that the space feels open and airy.

In a large room, you have more freedom to experiment with different types of lighting. You can use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create different zones within the space.

For example, if you aim to have a cozy reading nook in one corner of the room, you would use task lighting to help you see the pages of your book and accent lighting to highlight the area. On the other hand, if you want the living room to be a place where you can entertain guests, you would use ambient lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Consider the Function of the Room

As we think about how to select lighting, an important consideration is the function of the room. For instance, bedroom lighting should be relaxing and soft to help you wind down at the end of the day. A bright task light in the bedroom would likely be too harsh and not conducive to a good night’s sleep. You may also consider installing dimmer switches so that you can adjust the level of light in the room to suit your needs.

On the other hand, a home office, workspace, or craft room will need brighter lighting so that you can see what you’re doing. A desk lamp is a good option for task lighting in a home office. And, if you have a large work surface, like a kitchen counter, you may want to install a strip of under-cabinet LED lights to provide direct light where you need it. 

Consider the Style of the Room

The style of the room is another important factor to consider when selecting lighting. For example, a contemporary space would benefit from the use of clean lines and minimalist fixtures. Whereas, a more traditional space might be better suited for ornate light fixtures. It’s also important to consider the finish of the fixtures. A brass finish would likely look out of place in a contemporary space but would be right at home in a traditional space.

And don’t forget about the ceiling! High ceilings in a room can make a space feel more open and airy. To take advantage of this, you may want to install a chandelier or pendant light. These fixtures will help to draw the eye upward and make the most of the height in the room. Ont the other hand, with lower ceilings, recessed lighting can help to create the illusion of a higher ceiling.

Even though choosing the right type of lighting for each room in your house may seem like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. By taking into consideration the size, function, and style of the room, you can narrow down your options and choose the best type of lighting for your space. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to select lighting that will help you enjoy a perfectly-lit home.

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