Looking to completely transform the look and feel of any room?
Ambient lighting is one of the most impactful home improvement investments you can make. It sets the mood. It creates an atmosphere. And it can turn even the dullest of rooms into a warm and inviting space.
The best part?
It doesn’t need to involve a full renovation or require a massive budget to do it. With the right techniques, even anyone can transform their living space into something special.
Table of Contents:
- What Is Ambient Lighting?
- Why Ambient Lighting Matters For Your Home
- 5x Proven Techniques To Transform Any Room
- Choosing The Right Bulbs And Fixtures
- Wrapping It Up
What Is Ambient Lighting?
Ambient lighting is the general light that fills a space.
It is the overall illumination in a room. Ambient lighting provides light without causing harsh shadows or glare. Think of it as the base level of lighting that makes it possible for us to see our surroundings without getting overwhelmed.
This is the thing…
Ambient lighting works best when it’s used in combination with other types of light sources. The idea is to have layers of lighting. The first of which is ambient lighting. This is the base that everything else is built on. Next, you can add specific lights for tasks such as reading, cooking, or working. Finally, accent lighting can be used for decorative purposes. This adds visual interest and highlights certain features of the room. If you’re in the market for some high-quality decorative lighting consider choosing bulbs and fixtures that match your space’s style while providing the right amount of brightness.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that lighting makes up around 15% of the average home’s electricity use. The right ambient lighting techniques can help you lower those numbers.
Cool, right?
Why Ambient Lighting Matters For Your Home?
Great ambient lighting does a lot more than just “make the room brighter”. It can improve our mood and productivity, and even affect our quality of sleep.
When we live in a properly lit space, it can influence how we feel on a daily basis. The right lighting can make a small space feel more open and airy, and a room that’s too cold feel more cozy.
It’s not a surprise that consumers are demanding better lighting for their homes.
A Deloitte poll reports that more than 70% of global consumers are seeking personalized products and experiences that reflect their unique needs and style, including lighting fixtures that can be customized to match their decor.
There’s more…
Thanks to the recent developments in lighting technology and design, it’s now easier than ever to create the home of our dreams. With products like smart bulbs, that can change color temperature throughout the day, or dimmable fixtures, that allow us to control the brightness of every light in our home on the fly, we have complete control over our home environments.
We can expect to see the following benefits as a result of better ambient lighting:
- Better mood and relaxation in living spaces
- Improved focus and energy in home offices
- Improved sleep quality from proper evening lighting
- Reduced energy bills from efficient LED lighting options
Talk about a lot of value from just one home improvement.
5x Proven Techniques To Transform Any Room
All right! It’s time for the fun part. Here are the exact ambient lighting techniques that professionals use to transform spaces:
Layer Your Light Sources
This is the single most important thing you can do when it comes to ambient lighting.
Mix and match multiple fixtures at different heights and angles throughout the space. Lights on the ceiling provide ambient light. Floor lamps offer extra warmth and fill in corners. Table lamps create pools of intimate light.
The trick is finding the right balance. Each additional light source should complement the others. Fill in dark spots, but avoid creating competing bright areas that create harsh shadows.
Use Dimmers Everywhere
Control over your space is key.
Install dimmer switches on all of your ambient light fixtures. Dimmers allow you to instantly adjust the atmosphere of each room to suit the occasion. Brighter light for when you’re working or cleaning. Dimmed light for relaxing with friends or family in the evening.
Dimmers also extend the life of your light bulbs and save you money on energy.
Consider Color Temperature
The wrong color temperature can have a jarring effect on a room.
Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and ranges from warm (2700K) to cool (5000K+). Warm lighting creates a relaxed, cozy atmosphere that’s best for living rooms and bedrooms. Cool lighting is more energizing and better for kitchens and home offices.
Most ambient lighting should be on the warm side. This is closer to natural sunset light, and it helps prepare the body for rest.
Embrace Indirect Lighting
Direct light from overhead fixtures can often feel harsh and unforgiving.
Indirect lighting methods bounce light off of walls and ceilings, creating a softer, more diffused glow. This soft light illuminates the entire space evenly while eliminating shadows on faces and creating an overall sense of natural brightness. Wall sconces, cove lighting, and uplights are great tools to implement this style.
The resulting space is one that feels naturally and evenly lit without obvious lighting sources.
Switch To LED Technology
This one is a no-brainer.
LED light bulbs use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25x longer. They are available in a wide range of color temperatures and dim smoothly. The initial price may be slightly higher, but you’ll make up for it in no time.
The best part is that modern LED bulbs produce very little heat. This makes them safer and more comfortable, especially in smaller spaces that can get hot quickly.
Choosing The Right Bulbs And Fixtures
Fixtures can make or break your ambient lighting efforts.
The first step is measuring the space you plan to work in. The larger the room, the more lumens it will take to achieve the proper ambient lighting. A good rule of thumb is 20 lumens per square foot for ambient lighting in general living spaces.
Next, focus on fixture style. The best ambient lighting fixtures fade into the background while providing optimal illumination. Flush mounts work well in rooms with low ceilings. Chandeliers and pendant lights look great in rooms with higher ceilings.
Placement is important too. Distribute your light sources evenly so there are no overly dark areas. Aim fixtures away from shiny surfaces that could create glare.
Finally, remember that quality matters. Cheap lighting often has uneven brightness and poor performance. Investing in high-quality fixtures now will save you headaches and money in the long run.
Wrapping It Up
Ambient lighting is the secret weapon of top interior designers. It completely transforms the look and feel of any room without breaking the bank.
Let’s take a quick recap.
- Layer multiple light sources at different heights and angles
- Install dimmers for instant control over brightness
- Pick warm color temperatures for areas meant for relaxation
- Use indirect lighting methods to remove harsh shadows
- Switch to LED light bulb technology for energy savings and longevity
These 5 techniques are easy to implement, but they will make a world of difference. Start with just one room in your home and experiment. Notice how a properly lit space feels entirely different than a poorly lit one.
Lighting affects us on a subconscious level. It changes our moods, our energy, our ability to focus and relax. Ambient lighting is a powerful tool, and one that every homeowner should take control of.
The time to start transforming your living space is now!
