Design, to me, is more than just aesthetics. It’s about how a space makes you feel, creating a place that speak softly, yet leave a lasting impression. For this reason lighting can make or break an interior. With the wrong lighting you will feel frustrated, stressed and annoyed. But lighting can also help us feel more relaxed, at ease and create enjoyable moments that makes us want to linger. Lighting in and of itself is complex and it is not by accident that lighting design is its own niche when it comes to Interior design. Even for professionals getting the lighting right isn’t as simple as one might think. However there are some things to keep in mind, to create a functional & calm space.

The different types of lighting

Lighting is generally divided into Ambient lighting, Task lighting, Accent lighting and sometimes also decorative lighting. They all serve different purposes and a good starting point is trying to include at least one from each category into every room.

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting is your overall lighting. It is the one making sure the room is evenly lit, the light you can turn on when you have to clean or have a clear overview of the room itself. Usually this category will include ceiling-mounted lamps, recessed lighting and sometimes also chandeliers.

Task lighting

It might sound self-explanatory but task lighting is the light that enables you to perform certain activities, such as reading, cooking or working. Here we find desk lamps, reading lights, under-cabinet lighting in kitchen and sometimes certain pendant lights.

Accent lighting

These lamps highlights specific details or areas within the space adding depth and interest. Wall sconces, track lighting or picture lights. You can choose to light up a beautiful architectural detail or your favourite piece of art. But it can also be as simple as adding lighting to your bookshelves to put emphasis on your favourite displayed objects.

Decorative lighting

Decorative lighting is sometimes a part of accent lighting. These lamps usually don’t add much when it comes to light but rather help enforce the style and character of the space. It helps create a cohesive look throughout the interior.

A few guidelines to follow

Keeping the above in mind, a good rule of thumb is to try and make sure you have at least one lamp from each category into every room of your house. If you only have the ceiling light, you are missing out of the other 2-3 categories. Try to add in a beautiful floorplan next to the sofa to promote reading, or place a light over your family photos. As a designer you also usually aim to place around 5-7 light sources in each room and make sure you place them on different heights - ceiling lights, wall lights, floor/table lamps all light up different heights of the space. It might sound like a lot, but it will add depth and interest to your room and also prepare you for multiple different times of the day.

Before purchasing

Before you buy a lamp, do a quick survey of the space. Is there any of the above categories missing in the space? How many lamps do you already have?

Different lamp shades give off a different light. Textile shades in light colours will diffuse the light differently compared to the same shade in a darker colour. The same goes for metal shades that might push the light up or down depending on the design. If the lamp has a very specific design or texture it might add shadows to the room once lit. These shadows can act as a beautiful addition to the design, but its worth noting and thinking about beforehand to avoid buyers remorse.

Thoughtful lighting isn’t just a finishing touch but a foundational element that shapes how we live, feel, and connect with our spaces. It might feel daunting and complicated at first, but the end result make it all worth the extra effort.

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