LIGHTING IN INTERIOR DECORATION
Lighting plays a remarkably critical role in many aspects of human life. It is one of the most important factors defining a space’s atmosphere aesthetically, and in terms of usability and functionality it makes life easier – or harder, when done wrong. At the same time, because lighting encompasses many elements that can steer the overall mood of a space and the way people feel within it, its psychological effects deserve just as much consideration as its physical ones.
In human history, the need for lighting began with the discovery of fire; it then evolved through candles, gas lamps and, later, electricity into the remarkably broad field we can now call lighting technology. With innovations such as LED technology making it highly efficient and diverse, it would be no exaggeration to call lighting a kind of ‘art form’ in its own right!
Beyond providing visual comfort by defining the functionality and aesthetics of spaces, the proper use of ‘light’ touches on many subjects, from psychology to sustainability – which is exactly why it thoroughly deserves to be examined from an interior design perspective.
Types of Light
First of all, it helps to distinguish between the concepts of lighting and light. There are essentially two main types of light: natural light and artificial light. Natural light comes from natural sources such as sunlight and moonlight, while artificial light comes from man-made sources such as bulbs, lamps and fluorescents.
Natural Light
Sunlight, as we all know, is the most powerful natural light source in existence. It is mentally stimulating, sets our biological clock, and is a resource accessible to everyone. On the other hand, it is also difficult to control.
The state of natural light has a major effect on our mood. Some of us feel better on bright, sunny days, while others feel calm and at peace in rainy weather. Whatever our feelings, however, making the most of natural light is an approach worth adopting – both psychologically and in terms of environmental sustainability and energy savings.
For this reason, daylight is one of the most important elements in spatial design. Because it influences the siting of buildings and their structural factors in architecture, even before decoration comes into play, natural light ranks among the primary determining factors.
However, different geographic locations and weather conditions change the character of daylight. For example, daylight in a northern city like London can be grey and cold for much of the year, while during the same periods it will most likely be bright and sunny in Dubai. The time of day and the seasons also affect how much natural light a room receives.
How daylight enters and spreads through each room also directly affects how the space is used functionally and how furniture is arranged. In a living area with large windows, for instance, abundant daylight makes the space feel bright and airy, and any activity that calls for plenty of light can comfortably be planned there.
Together with the structural design shaped by all these physical factors (such as the building’s orientation and window sizes), natural light – first secured through architecture – then becomes a factor to be used and controlled in interior design.
At this point, artificial lighting comes into play for designers and users alike, working alongside daylight to achieve the best results at different times.
Types of Lighting
Understanding the different types of lighting forms the foundation of the subject when creating a well-designed, functional space. We can name three basic types: ambient or general lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. Each type serves a specific purpose while defining both the functionality and the overall ambience of a space.
Ambient Lighting
We can describe it as the general lighting that achieves a comfortable light level in a space, allowing people to see and move around safely. As the basic form of lighting that lets us carry on with our activities when there is no daylight, ambient lighting forms the backbone of the lighting plan in our spaces. It provides the overall light, sets the tone, and allows comfortable, safe movement.
In our living spaces in particular, ambient lighting often serves both decorative and functional purposes. For example, a pendant lamp or spotlights mounted on the living-room ceiling – well chosen in terms of style and light output – can create a warm, inviting atmosphere while also making the space suitable for everyday activities such as reading or watching television. Or picture a delightful kitchen with a large island at its center, where family and friends often gather. The chandeliers hanging over the island not only provide an extra layer of ambient light but also create a visual focal point in the kitchen.
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When weighing ambient lighting options, it is very important to make your choice by considering the room’s size, the ceiling height, the color scheme of the space and the natural light sources. These factors will help determine the number and placement of light fixtures needed to provide even illumination across the entire space. To take the simplest example, choosing two pendant lights in a small living room will not be the right approach aesthetically in the first place. Supporting the main lighting with floor lamps or wall sconces instead will give us a far more sophisticated look. In a relatively larger living space, however, opting for two ceiling lamps – one over the main seating area and one over the dining area – will be a sounder decision than in a small one. In other words, while a single central fixture may suffice for some spaces, strategically placed pendant lamps can ensure an even distribution of light in others.
Task Lighting
Task lighting is a type of lighting intended to provide focused, intense illumination for carrying out specific activities. It is used to deliver direct light while performing particular tasks such as reading, working or cooking in the kitchen. Its main purpose is to help us do our work more efficiently while reducing eye strain and visual stress.
Task lighting is generally achieved with focused light sources used to deliver concentrated light to a specific area. This kind of illumination usually comes from closely focused fixtures such as a desk lamp, a chandelier above a table, spotlights beneath a counter, or pendant lamps over a kitchen island. Since task lighting serves a specific purpose, its brightness and adjustability should be determined by the activity to be performed. If you are doing hands-on design work where you need to see clearly and judge colors accurately, for example, the light’s kelvin value should be planned so it does not mislead you, and its brightness should be sufficient to ease your vision. If your work is mostly focused on reading, however, a light source and tone that will not tire your eyes will give you a far more comfortable working environment. A pleasant reading nook you have put together is one of the finest examples of task lighting. The corners we create with a well-chosen, stylish floor lamp and a comfortable armchair are both encouraging in terms of ambience and provide a setting where you can focus peacefully on your book without straining your eyes.
Fixtures such as desk lamps, under-cabinet lights in kitchens, pendant lamps hanging over islands or countertops, and track lights directed at workstations are all examples of task lighting. These fixtures provide enough brightness to enhance visual clarity and make tasks more manageable.
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Accent Lighting
We can define accent lighting as a form of lighting used as an artistic tool in interior design, one that highlights the architectural features, artworks or decorative elements within a space. When placed strategically, it can create focal points and draw attention to particular areas by emphasizing the desired features.
The best example of accent lighting is the art gallery. Wall-mounted picture lights or adjustable track lights illuminate artworks from various angles in exactly the right way. The contrast created by accent lighting intensifies the visual impact and directs the viewer’s attention to the artwork.
When planning accent lighting, it is important to understand that the focal point should receive at least three times more light than the surrounding area. The aim here is to create a noticeable distinction, adding both depth and dimension to the space.
Accent lighting can be achieved through a variety of fixtures. With adjustable track spots, for example, it is possible to highlight several objects at once. Wall sconces, another important accent tool, can also serve as effective accent light sources for emphasizing artworks or architectural details.
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It would be no exaggeration to say that accent lighting is among the most rewarding design elements for elevating the quality of a space, as it pushes the boundaries of creativity in design and, when applied correctly, lends the setting a sophisticated spirit. With the right positioning and the right light intensity and tone, accent lighting can make a space far more impressive than it actually is!
We have all noticed the effect of well-executed lighting on how comfortable we feel in a space, or felt uneasy in areas with unpleasant lighting. Today, lighting has come a very long way as both a science and an art, and access to different light sources in a variety of designs has become easier. Having reviewed the fundamental elements of the subject, it is now worth looking at what to pay attention to, in the light of this knowledge, when approaching lighting in the interiors where we spend most of our time.
Proper Lighting at Home
In every space, light is as practical and decorative as it is functional. It should be used in every room and turned fully to advantage. A design incorporating multiple light sources offers suitable illumination for different life situations, allowing you to achieve the desired effect. When planning the lighting of our living spaces, layering light sources is the right approach for achieving a balanced, dynamic lighting plan. This approach combines ambient, task and accent lighting – with natural light first and foremost – to create a harmonious, functional space.
The first layer we plan is usually a ceiling light – a single pendant lamp, for example, or various surface-mounted lighting fixtures. With this layer of lighting we provide the room’s general illumination and set the overall tone and atmosphere.
In the second stage, the goal can be thought of as illuminating specific areas or activities within the room. In a lounge or living room, for instance, this may include desk lamps in work areas and, as in the example we gave earlier, floor lighting in reading nooks.
The third layer should highlight particular features or objects in the room. You can enrich a favorite painting, or a stylish wall decorated with photographs, with wall sconces in different styles. While using light to bring forward the objects you want to draw attention to, you can achieve a warm, intimate atmosphere with soft, soothing illumination. When you host guests at home, the mood of your visitors – and of the setting you provide – in fact largely comes down to lighting!😊
Of course, since every room in a home is a place where we perform different activities and hold different expectations, the spaces within a residence call for various types of lighting. Bathrooms, for example, can be relatively more demanding: they require both functional task lighting for daily grooming routines and ambient lighting that minimizes shadows on the face and maximizes visibility during activities such as applying makeup or styling hair. That is why, alongside the recessed spotlights widely used in bathrooms, wall sconces can be planned to achieve an elegant atmosphere. Lighting alternatives built into the furniture itself, such as LED-lit mirrors, can also be real lifesavers in spaces expected to be as functional as bathrooms.
In a space like the kitchen, task lighting likewise plays a truly vital role in enabling effective food preparation and cooking. Intense illumination is needed to see clearly when chopping vegetables or reading recipes. Backsplash lighting provides task light focused directly onto the countertops, making meal preparation safer and more enjoyable.
Bedrooms, meanwhile, are spaces that generally call for a mixed use of ambient and task lighting to create a peaceful, calm atmosphere for rest and relaxation. A stylish bedside lamp serves as task lighting while also complementing your decorating style and helping to create a soft ambience.
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In conclusion, to achieve the best results in interior design, the natural and artificial light sources that shift throughout the day must be carefully balanced. Except in areas whose function demands abundant light, over-lighting will both tire your mind and flatten the depth of the space. In fact, illuminated areas matter, but shaded areas are equally part of a holistic lighting plan. Allowing relative pockets of shadow in the right places increases the visibility and emphasis of the existing light sources. This is exactly why most people prefer, and feel better in, spaces lit here and there by numerous floor lamps or table lamps rather than areas washed in uniform light from ceiling fixtures, and they make their choice accordingly. With today’s technology, there are smart systems that let us adjust light color and intensity, along with plenty of dimmable (adjustable light level) lighting alternatives. With these technical tips and light sources that complement your home’s style, capturing your mood in your spaces and making lighting an integral part of your decor will be a genuine pleasure.
Canan Pervis
