Why Lighting Matters: How It Affects Mood, Style & Functionality
3-Minute Read
Good lighting is something that is often overlooked in interior design. When executed well, it usually goes unnoticed and that can be true for a lot of areas within interior design. Bad lighting on the other hand, sticks out like a sore thumb. Perfecting your lighting plan can make or break a design scheme – it helps create a particular feeling within a room. We have put together a list of details for you to consider when developing the perfect lighting for your interior scheme.
For us as designers, the best form of light is always natural lighting. We always like to utilise this in all of our designs and it should not be overlooked when forming part of your lighting plan. Try not to restrict the flow of natural light with unnecessary obstacles and embrace the natural elements – apart from enhancing the rooms size and design, it’s also known to be good for the body and mind!
Before you’ve selected your light fixtures, we need to understand what the purpose of the space is. By working out how you want to navigate the room and how it should function, we can identify where and what type of lighting needs to be included within the design. A well-considered lighting plan will have layers of different types of lighting that come together to create a balance within the room.
Lighting can be broken down into 3 categories – ambient, task and accent. They all serve different purposes depending on the desired effect and when layered together, can elevate a room with the flick of a switch. Let’s see what type of lighting works best for your design...
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is what we consider the main light source within a space. It can often be referred to as “mood lighting” as it enhances the atmosphere by highlighting the room's overall tone and purpose. We would always recommend operating these lights through a dimmer switch as it helps control the intensity of the light depending on how you want to use it. Consider the size of the room as you may want multiple fixtures to ensure you have enough light to illuminate the entirety of the space. Typically, this is the first light that is turned on in a room and so it’s important to select a fixture that compliments the scheme and sets the tone.
We are really enjoying dramatic and oversized fixtures at the moment. Depending on the fixture, they can really help create a statement in the space and act as a piece of furniture on their own.
Task Lighting
They may not be perceived as the most visually appealing types of lighting, but task lights serve a pivotal role in a well-rounded lighting plan as they provide essential illumination in functional areas. This type of lighting is more commonly found in productive spaces such as home offices and kitchens, as opposed to recreational spaces such as living rooms. They work cohesively with your ambient lights to create a more focussed area where needed.
Today, you don’t have to compromise on design to achieve functionality—modern options allow you to seamlessly integrate task lighting into your space. Consider the architecture and furniture around you – can LED strips be installed to create a more seamless and practical design? For a classic touch, pendant lights offer beautiful, directed lighting and look especially striking over a kitchen island or work surface.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting, unlike task lighting, is designed to subtly highlight a specific area or object, giving it a soft, inviting glow. Frequently used in interior design, accent lighting helps create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. While these fixtures aren’t typically functional for tasks, they make a strong design impact, coming in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials which gives you further creative licence to blend these in with your interior scheme.
Accent lights can be perfect for illuminating a statement artwork or filling an empty wall with visual interest. Some of our favourite accent lights feature creative designs that feel more like art pieces than mere light sources, adding an extra layer of style to the overall design.
With a clear understanding of the types of lighting you need, don’t overlook the impact of colour temperature on the final look and feel of your space. Different colour temperatures can significantly shape a room's aesthetic and are key to setting the right ambiance. Cooler tones enhance alertness and productivity, making them ideal for kitchens, workspaces, and offices where focus is essential. On the other hand, warmer tones create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere, perfect for comfort-oriented spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas..
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