A room can have several functions. It can be a place where you relax, work on the computer, do crafts, cook, share a meal with friends, and much more… That’s why the lighting features need to match the setting or application of the room.
People often expect a single light source to meet all their needs. Yet each of the three types of lighting has a particular function to meet specific needs, which are as follows:
- Ambient lighting
- Task lighting
- Accent lighting
Ambient interior lighting
General or ambient lighting is intended to illuminate a room in its entirety. It provides a uniform level of illumination throughout the space, independent of other lighting sources.
In addition, its purpose is to ensure safe and easy movement, as well as to create an overall view of the room. Ambient light ‘bounces’ off the walls to illuminate as much of the space as possible.
Types of luminaires that can provide general ambient lighting indoors:
- Chandelier
- Ceiling-mounted luminaire
- Wall-mounted luminaire
- Traditional recessed lighting
- Track lighting
- Floor lamps
- Table lamp
Ambient outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting is usually installed to provide visibility and increase safety around a building. It is also recommended to illuminate the exterior of the building, entrances and stairways to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury that can occur when entering and exiting the building.
Types of luminaires that provide ambient outdoor lighting:
- Floodlighting
- Pendant lighting
- Garage and awning lighting
- Pole lantern
- Wall lighting
- Recessed luminaire used in overhanging structures
Task lighting
Task lighting illuminates the tasks a person performs in a given space, such as reading, cooking, working on a computer. For these types of tasks, brighter light is needed in a smaller focal point of the room.
For more pleasant lighting, it’s often best to avoid lights that are too bright or that cast annoying shadows. It is also practical to install a single switch for the focal lighting, independent of the switch for the general lighting in the room.
Types of luminaires that provide task lighting:
- Recessed directional gimbal luminaire
- Pendant lighting
- Thin bar and sub-cabinet
- Ribbon and extrusion
- Portable or desk lamp
Accent lighting
Accent lighting is used primarily to emphasise a specific point of interest or to achieve a desired effect. This type of lighting gives the impression of a larger room. It is most frequently used to highlight an architectural feature, a plant (in outdoor settings), a sculpture or a collection of objects.
As a general rule, effective accent lighting requires the installation of three times more light on the focal point than is usually provided by ambient lighting.
Types of luminaires that provide accent lighting:
- Track light
- Thin bar and sub-cabinet
- Ribbon and extrusion
- Directional recessed luminaire
- Wall-mounted luminaires
In brief…
We often start our lighting plan design with ambient lighting, then identify areas where accent lighting will be required. When selecting the different types of lighting you will use in your situation, it is usually best to go from generic to specific.
However, when several specific tasks are carried out in a room (a jeweller’s, for example) or when there are several points to highlight (as in a museum or art gallery), it is preferable to start a lighting plan with accent lighting. So it’s essential to know the purpose of a room before you start!