Ambient Lighting: How to Get It Right

Ambient lighting is romantic but it also sets a soft and easygoing tone. It also helps cut down the bills. In fact, the United States consumes 3,808 TWh worth of electricity and a simple shift could help reduce our waste.

But what is ambient lighting and how do you get it right? Don’t worry, read our guide below to get started:

1. What is Ambient Lighting?

Before we proceed, we need to understand what ambient lighting is.

To put this into perspective, ambient lighting stands as the primary source of light in a room before additional light gets introduced. It provides two things to the room. Aside from acting as the foundation of the room’s basic lighting, it also improves the sense of warmth and depth.

Natural sunlight and warm artificial lights count as ambient light.

Providing illumination in a room at comfortable levels is the main goal. Among the ways to achieve ambient lighting involve the use of basic light fixtures as well as knowing what other elements are present in the room.

2. How to Achieve Ambient Lighting

As mentioned earlier, we can achieve ambient lighting by making use of what is present in the room. This could involve allowing sunlight through the windows, utilizing lamps instead of the main light on the ceiling, or turning everything off except the main light.

There are ways to have ambient light in the room and how it can enhance its atmosphere and appearance.

The following are some ways and factors that can help you choose.

Evaluate the Room

Before setting up any light fixtures, check the room when the lights are out. Turn off as many lights as you can without losing visibility. Take note of which areas would need accenting.

Among these areas include reading areas, pathways, seating areas, and fireplaces. Coffee tables, bookshelves, and plants are also among those areas in question.

The key is in achieving balance.

If you light up one corner in a large room, the balance gets thrown off. Light up too many may end up overwhelming the room with light. Keep these in mind when planning the fixture placements.

Choose the Right Type of Lighting

Have you scouted the room? Think of the right type of lighting fixtures to include to give it a warm aesthetic and atmosphere. Think about the type of light bulbs that you would use and where you would install it.

For accent lamps, you can use nightlights, recessed lights, nightlights, and track lights. For an energy-efficient system, LED lights would prove fitting. They work well as accent lights and ambient lights.

Consider the Overall Look of the Room

The type of light fixture that you use can have an effect on the room’s overall look. Lamps aren’t the only great source of light in a room. Rather, treat them as part of the room decor.

Keep note how the light accents the varying elements of the objects present. Pay attention to two elements: light color and intensity.

When it comes to light color, each lamp has a different effect on the room’s appearance. This is all thanks to color temperature, which denotes such visual effect.

For example, make use of yellow lights for a warm appearance. It also works well in providing a subtle accent to the room that soothes the eyes. For something that appears cool, make use of blue lights.

Intensity comes into play in deciding how bright the lamp should be. This boils down into you will use the lamp in the room. It also means how many watts the lights will need.

If the lamp will act as the main light source of the room, you will need something with a higher wattage. Otherwise, accent lights will need a smaller wattage. After all, they aim to add emphasis to the appearance of the room.

3. Other Methods in Creating Ambient Lighting

In creating the right lighting setup for your room, there are ways you can provide ambient lighting with the type of lighting setups that you can install.

With LED lights being the most efficient with energy use, here are some methods that you should consider when installing them in the room.

Accent Lighting

This approach is one of the most common, making it an interior design staple. In the hands of an expert interior designer, a well-placed LED strip can enhance and establish the mood in any part of the room.

Task Lighting

By improving both aesthetic and functionality, task lighting allows for both function and style with strategic LED placements.

For example, an office corner could have LED strips in place for use as an accent. It can double as a focused light source for reading or paperwork.

Dimmer

Installing a dimmer can help you adjust the intensity of the lights in the room. This can help you transition the room’s lighting from energetic to calming by a turn of the dial.

A good reason why dimmers are a great addition is that it can help you save up on energy consumption. This can be helpful in lessening the electric bill.

Indirect Light

A well-placed LED strip can provide an afterglow to specific areas in the room. Despite its usual placement being in cabinets and stairways. It provides color by accents and layers, enhancing the overall appearance of the area.

You might also want to look at some other fun ways you can make use of LED light strips.

Bring Your Room to Life with Ambient Lighting Today!

With the right placement of lighting fixtures and lamps, your room can either come to life with a welcoming feel, or it can be a source of distress.

But with the right combination of colors and lights, you may end up with an interior that can make you feel right at home. Everything is possible with the right ambient lighting setup.

When it comes to setting up your LEDs for the best means of illumination possible, we have the solutions to all your lighting needs. Contact us and we will help you get started.