The Fundamentals of Layered Lighting
In your home or commercial space, properly layered lighting is essential in making a room come alive. At Studio MAK, a residential and commercial interior design studio in Chicago, IL, we often have clients ask what layered lighting means, and why it is so important. So, without further ado, we are going to go over the fundamentals of layered lighting and why every room you own should have it.
The Fundamentals of Layered Lighting
Using multiple light sources allows your room to seamlessly transition from a bright daytime workspace to a laid-back evening living area. Ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting are the three types of lighting you'll need.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting should provide adequate illumination while avoiding glare in your room. By using soft lighting on your ceiling, walls, and floors during the day, your ambient lighting can work in tandem with natural sunlight coming in through a window. Ambient lighting can be achieved in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
Daylight: Natural lighting that comes into your home.
Chandelier: A branched frame with multiple lamps.
Pendant(s): Single-shade lighting fixtures that hang by a single cord. Pendants have a lower bulb count than chandelier lighting, so they are often used in multiples.
Cove: Coves are found in ledges and ceiling valances.
Task Lighting
Most of us have been accustomed to working from home in the last few years, making task lighting even more essential. Task lighting should offer bright and balanced illumination that will allow you to perform any of your tasks without straining your eyes.
Great task lighting options we typically recommend:
Pendant(s): These pendants face downward to allow you to focus on reading and similar tasks.
Lamps: Whether it be a floor lamp, a desk lamp, or a table lamp, a lamp is a perfect option for task lighting that will keep your productivity and your comfortability high.
Under-cabinet: For those late night snack sessions that require some effort, under-cabinet lighting is perfect. This lighting brightens your prep areas and gets rid of any shadows that the overhead lighting may cast.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is required to highlight your home decor, such as any wall paintings or photos. Accent lighting adds depth and dimension to these elements of your home, making them appear more alive and full.
Great accent lighting options include:
Wall Sconces: Wall sconces are crucial for creating focal points on the wall. Wall sconces are placed on the opposite side of an object to draw attention to that object. These are wonderful for a dining room, as these sconces can turn your wall paintings or photos into dinner party conversation starters!
Picture Lights: For a more subtle approach, you may want to opt for a picture light. These lights are simple to install and will fully succeed in highlighting the rich details and colors of any painting you hang up.
Track: Tracks are a more direct lighting option, one that screams “look over here right now” without being too overbearing.
Balancing Act
Now that we have gone over ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting, as well as the benefits and functions of each, it’s time to talk about making them all work together. One of the best ways to stay on top of your light balancing is by paying attention to your bulbs. For a colder color temperature, you are going to need bulbs that are 4000k or higher. For a warmer color temperature, you are going to need bulbs that are 2700-3000K.
About Studio MAK
Studio MAK in Chicago, IL makes design approachable, interpretable, collaborative, and exhilarating! Our diverse skill sets stem from years of experience in residential and commercial real estate. As the residential and hospitality worlds continue to collide, we strive to create environments that combine the vibrant and cutting-edge feel of the hotel and restaurant world with the serenity and function of home life. Our clients become our partners throughout the process, and what we create is inspired by their stories, desires, and needs.