Understanding layered light
Perhaps you’ve heard the term ‘Layered Lighting’?? Maybe it made you think of Wedding Cakes, or Winter clothing, but with light?
How on earth do you “layer” light??.
And why would you? We suggest that a perfectly lit room should have the 3 layers of light perfectly balanced to crate the best results in your room. Of course we realise not every room needs this level of design, but you should certainly be considering layering your light in your main living rooms, kitchen and bathrooms.
The 3 layers of light used in Architectural Lighting Design are - Accent/Task, Ambient and Joy!
Accent Lighting which will add drama to your room by creating a visual interest, its directional lighting that highlights and draws the eye to a certain area or object ….such as that fabulous painting, your prize possessions, sensational textured and brick walls or even an amazing architectural feature. It can be achieved with directional recessed lights – and it’s even better when they’re adjustable. Or track lighting can also do a great job, every situation is different and anything is possible!
Task Lighting is exactly what it says….for a task!! It’s accent light with purpose.
It should help you perform a specific task, such as reading, cooking, homework or putting on makeup and so forth….
Just because it’s functional and for a task, doesn’t mean it can’t be a fantastic feature piece too. Spectacular pendants and stunning floor and desk lamps can deliver this light as well as lighting build into your joinery, and sometimes a well-placed, appropriately selected downlight can do the job too.
Ambient, or General Lighting yep you guessed it, light that fills a room, gently illuminating the entire space without focusing on anything in particular.
This should provide you with over all illumination in an area and radiate a comfortable level of brightness without glare.
You can accomplish this with wall lights, cove lighting, wall washing and stunning pendants that diffuse light in all directions. Just because it’s ambient, doesn’t mean it can’t be a feature and to double duty.
And last - but most certainly not least is JOY! Joyous light (or Sparkling Brilliance as it’s commonly described in lighting circles) can be anything from a grand feature pendant, to light grazing a wall to highlight it’s texture and bring it to life, to a favourite table lamp in the corner of your room that highlights a beloved photo - anything that makes you smile when you turn it on, and brings soul into your room can be joyous light.
In a nutshell, layering your light is all about blending these 3 main lighting approaches, and balancing them so that you don’t have features arguing with each other, and can create a different mood in your room depending on how many of the lights you use at any given time.
Layered lighting has the greatest impact in open plan living areas where you are combining the function of your kitchen, with the features of your dining area and also trying to relax at the end of the day in your lounge. Crafting the right light in these spaces means that you can change the mood, and function of the room at the flick of a switch.
Easy!