WHAT IS AMBIENT LIGHTING?
Ambient lighting is the foundational lighting source in a room. It's lighting that covers the entire room, usually from an indirect source - compared to accent or task lighting which is focused on a specific area. Lots of elements can make up ambient lighting, depending on how they're used. Pendant lights, wall sconces, table lamps and more can all make up a room's ambient lighting. There are some decisions to be made from the get-go in your lighting scheme. You can choose between cool light vs warm light and different color temperatures to set up ambient lighting. In many cases, it's better to choose warm lighting if you're interested in creating a mood. Every room does well with a specific type of warm or cool lighting, based on its functionality.
In the daytime, natural light contributes to ambient lighting as well, and when you're dealing with a small, dark room, you'll need to consider how your enhance its daytime ambient lighting with artificial sources. Think of ambient lighting as a glow surrounding all spaces. 'Ambient lighting is how you achieve the mood and the desired ambiance in a room,' says architectural lighting designer Piero De Marchis, director at Detail Lighting. 'Different rooms and different times of the day require different ambient lighting. The key elements you need to consider when achieving the ideal ambient lighting are color, temperature, and brightness, as these will all help determine the mood.'
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Ambient lighting helps layer the lighting scheme of a room, and hass the ability to make a room feel naturally warmer, cozier, and more welcoming. With ambient lighting placed in different areas, it allows the eyes to move across the room and take in all its elements; be it the living room wall decor, a bookcase, the window seat, or the coffee table. 'Ambient light is such an important ingredient to create depth and character in a room,' says Mischa Couvrette, founder and designer of lighting design studio Hollis+Morris. 'The intention is not to flood the room with harsh light but gently fill the space with a warm glow. Decorative lighting often serves this purpose by highlighting certain vignettes or illuminating a path to your next activity.' Another interesting aspect of ambient lighting is how it changes the color and vibe of a room. A warm, yellow light lamp, for instance, kept next to a paintedwall will look completely different in the day as compared to in the evening. Even the shadows created by ambient lighting help set the mood.
WHERE SHOULD AMBIENT LIGHTING BE USED?
'The three key areas in the home where ambient lighting should be considered are the bedroom, bathroom, and an open plan kitchen/living area,' says Piero. 'In a modern bedroom lighting scheme, you should always opt for dimmable lighting, so that you can create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere before bed.' 'Bathrooms are multifunctional spaces and as such require multiple lighting sources, so make sure you allow for both practical lighting for getting ready and more ambient lighting for relaxing moments,' says Piero. 'This can be done through LED strip lighting alongside mirrors and under cabinets, as well as cleverly positioned floor lights.' 'When it comes to open plan kitchen-diner spaces, if the dining table is to be a ‘focal point’ in your space then the ambient lighting in the room will determine how bright the table should be,' says Piero. 'Ideally a contrast of 2:1 should be fine.'
You should use ambient lighting in a space where the lighting can be well distributed and balanced. You can always complement ambient lighting with a task or accent in case you want to draw focus to a spot or an element. Also, dimmable lighting is important to ambient lighting. Consider dimmable LEDs that can be kept bright when needed, but lowered at night to create a more comfortable, snug atmosphere.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF AMBIENT LIGHTING?
The main sources of ambient lighting are chandeliers, pendants, recessed lighting, and track and ceiling bulbs. All these fixtures together or even individually help cast an overall glow to a space or an area.
1. CHANDELIERS AND PENDANTS
2. RECESSED LIGHTING
3. FLUSH-MOUNTED CEILING LIGHTS
4. TRACK LIGHTING
5. LAMPS