1. Ambient Lighting: The Foundation

Ambient lighting provides the general illumination that fills a room and allows you to move around comfortably.

Start by considering how much natural light you have coming through windows, glass doors and skylights during the day. Once daylight fades, you'll need artificial lighting to provide that general illumination.

Ambient lighting can include recessed ceiling lights, flush mount or semi-flush mount fixtures, chandeliers and even some wall sconces.

As a starting point, approximately 20 lumens per square foot is a useful guideline for general ambient lighting in many residential spaces. However, the actual amount depends on the room's size, ceiling height, finishes, natural light and how the space is used.

At Décor Revolution, we like to distribute lighting throughout a room rather than rely on one bright fixture in the center of the ceiling. This creates more even illumination and a much more comfortable space.

2. Task Lighting: Lighting Where You Need It

Task lighting provides focused illumination for specific activities such as reading, working, applying makeup or cooking.

While ambient lighting helps you see and move around the room, task lighting makes the space more functional.

Some examples include:

Reading lamps next to a bed or sofa
Desk lamps for working
Under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen or pantry
Pendant lights over a kitchen island
Wall sconces next to a bathroom mirror

Color temperature is another important consideration. It's measured in Kelvin (K), and it affects whether the light appears warm or cool.

For reading, relaxing and most residential spaces, I generally prefer warmer lighting in the 2700K to 3000K range. For certain detail-oriented tasks, a more neutral light around 3500K to 4000K may be appropriate.

You also want to consider the brightness, positioning and color rendering of your lights, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms where accurate colors are important.

3. Accent Lighting: Adding Drama and Dimension

Accent lighting is where you can really have some fun!

This type of lighting highlights artwork, architectural details, collections and other special features in your home.

Some examples include:

Picture lights over artwork
Adjustable recessed lights directed toward a painting or sculpture
Wall sconces that highlight an architectural feature
LED tape lighting inside cabinets or along shelves
Lighting that highlights a textured or decorative wall

Accent lighting adds depth and creates visual focal points. It's often what gives a room that finished, professionally designed appearance.

Here are some layering guides for specific rooms:

Every room has different lighting needs. Here are some suggestions from Décor Revolution for incorporating all three layers.

Kitchen

Kitchens need excellent lighting because they're used for so many different activities.

Ambient: Recessed ceiling lights provide general illumination throughout the room.
Task: Under-cabinet lighting illuminates countertops where you're preparing food. Pendant lights over an island can provide additional task lighting while adding a decorative element.
Accent: Interior cabinet lighting behind glass doors can highlight beautiful dishes or collections. LED lighting at the toe kicks can add a subtle glow.

We also like to put the different lighting types on separate switches and dimmers so our clients can adjust the lighting depending on what they're doing.

Bathroom

Good bathroom lighting is especially important for grooming, applying makeup and creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Ambient: Recessed ceiling lights or a decorative ceiling fixture provide general illumination.
Task: Wall sconces positioned on either side of a mirror provide more even illumination on your face than a single light above the mirror.
Accent: In a larger bathroom, a decorative pendant or chandelier can add a beautiful design element. LED lighting under a floating vanity can also create a soft glow.

Don't forget appropriate lighting in the shower. Fixtures in wet locations must be rated for that application.

Bedroom

Bedrooms should feel warm and relaxing, but they also need functional lighting.

Ambient: A flush mount, semi-flush mount or small chandelier can provide general illumination.
Task: Table lamps on nightstands or wall-mounted reading sconces on either side of the headboard provide focused light for reading.
Accent: Dimmable wall sconces, LED lighting behind a headboard or subtle lighting on shelving can create a softer atmosphere in the evening.

I especially like using dimmers in bedrooms so the lighting can change from bright and functional to soft and relaxing.

Living Room

Living rooms are often used for entertaining, reading, watching television and relaxing, so flexibility is important.

Ambient: A chandelier, decorative ceiling fixture or recessed lighting can provide general illumination. In some living rooms, a combination of floor and table lamps can also provide sufficient ambient light.
Task: Floor lamps next to seating areas and table lamps beside sofas or chairs provide lighting for reading and other activities.
Accent: Wall sconces, picture lights or adjustable recessed lights can highlight artwork, a fireplace or other architectural details.

The goal is to create a room with multiple sources of light at different heights rather than having all the light coming from the ceiling.

Don't Forget the Dimmers!

One of the simplest ways to make your lighting more flexible is to install dimmers wherever appropriate.

A room that needs bright light during the day may need only a soft glow in the evening. Dimmers allow you to change the atmosphere without changing the fixtures.

We also recommend keeping the different lighting layers on separate controls whenever possible. This gives you much more flexibility in how you use your space.

Bringing It All Together

Layering ambient, task and accent lighting creates rooms that feel warm, dimensional and flexible.

And while we love beautiful decorative light fixtures, as we showed you in our previous post, the real magic happens when those fixtures are combined with other sources of light throughout the room.

At Décor Revolution, we consider lighting an essential part of the design process, not something to think about after the furniture and finishes have been selected.

Are you planning a remodel or refreshing a room in your home? We'd love to help you create a lighting plan that is both beautiful and functional. Contact Décor Revolution to schedule a consultation and let's talk about your project.

The Secret to Great Lighting Is in the Layers

– Pasadena, CA –

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