Ambient Indoor Lighting
General or ambient lighting is intended to light up a room in its entirety. It provides a uniform level of illumination throughout the space independently of other lighting sources.
Moreover, its purpose is to ensure safe and easy traffic, as well as to create an overview of the room. The ambient light ‘bounces’ off the walls to illuminate as much space as possible.
Types of fixtures that can provide general ambient indoor lighting:
Chandelier
Ceiling mounted fixture
Wall-mounted fixture
Traditional recessed fixtures and / or LED downlights
Track light
Floor lamp
Table lamp
Ambient Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is usually installed in order to ensure visibility and increase security around a building. It is also recommended to light up the exterior of the building, entrances and stairs to reduce and perhaps eliminate the risk of injury that can occur when entering and leaving the building.
To learn more about outdoor lighting, read our article Economical, Efficient, and Safe Outdoor Lighting
Types of fixtures that provide ambient outdoor lighting:
Spotlight
Hanging fixture
Garage and canopy lighting
Post lantern
Wall lighting
Recessed fixture used in overhanging structures
Task Lighting
Task lighting illuminates the tasks a person carries out in a given space such as reading, cooking, computer work. A brighter light is required in a smaller focal point of the room for these sorts of tasks.
For a more pleasant illumination, it is often best to avoid harsh lights or lighting that casts troublesome shadows. It is also practical to install a single switch for focal lighting, independent from the room’s overall lighting switch.
Types of Fixtures that Provide Task Lighting:
Directional gimbal recessed fixture or downlight
Pendant lighting
Slim line bar and undercabinet
Tape and extrusion
Portable or desk lamp
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is used mainly to focus on a specific point of interest or to achieve a desired effect. This type of lighting gives the impression of a larger room. It is more frequently used to highlight an architectural feature, a plant (in outdoor layout), a sculpture, or a collection of objects.
As a general rule, effective accent lighting requires the installation of three times more light on the focal point than ambient lighting generally provides.
Types of Fixtures that Provide Accent Lighting:
Track light
Slim line bar and undercabinet
Tape and extrusion
Directional recessed fixture or downlight
Wall-mounted fixtures
