3. TypesofLighting
There are 3 basic types of lighting that work together
❏Ambient(general) Lighting = direct / indirect
❏Task (local)Lighting
❏Accent Lighting
Good lighting combines all 3 types
Ambient Lighting
Task Lighting
4. AmbientLighting(GeneralLighting)
❏Natural lighting or fixtures
❏ Chandeliers
❏ Ceiling/Wall mounted
❏ Lanterns outside of house
❏Provides overall illumination/lighting
❏Radiates comfortable brightness no glare
❏Allows you to see and walk around
❏Primary source of task lighting in certain rooms
6. •A second category of general lighting is
INDIRECT LIGHTING. It is lighting directed
toward a surface.
•Indirect lighting reflects off of ceilings
and walls.
7. TaskLighting
❏Helps with performing certain tasks
❏ Reading
❏ Grooming
❏ Cooking food
❏Should be free of glare and shadows
❏Should be bright enough to prevent eye strain
❏ Recessed/Track, Pendant, Undercabinet, Desk Lamps
8. LOCAL or TASK LIGHTING focuses light on an area
where it is most needed.
Provides extra light for reading, cooking,
sewing, etc
9. AccentLighting
❏Adds drama by drawing your attention
❏ Houseplants
❏ Paintings
❏ Sculptures
❏Highlights texture of brick/stone walls
❏Requires at least 3x as much light as focal point
❏Usually recessed/track lighting
❏ Could be wall-mounted picture lights
10. ACCENT LIGHTING is aimed directly on a specific
object to create a dramatic effect.
This lighting is usually 3 times brighter
than general light.
11. TypesofFixtures
❏Chandeliers
❏ Add style/Decorative focal point
❏ Traditionally used in the dining room
❏ Certain ones have down lights
❏ Others have fabric or glass shades to reduce glare
❏Hall/Foyer Fixtures
❏ Focal point at the entrance of your house
❏ Provides ambient lighting
❏ Size of your fixture depends on ceiling height
12. TypesofFixturesCont.
❏Pendants
❏ Provides both task and ambient lighting
❏ Unlimited range of styles, shapes and colors
❏ Suspended from ceilings
Provide good tasking light, and free up space on nightstands
etc.
❏Ceiling-mounted Fixtures
❏ Excellent source of ambient lighting
❏ Used in many rooms with activity: hallways, bedrooms, playrooms
13. TypesofFixturesCont.
❏Wall-mounted Fixtures
❏ Provides a sense of elegance
❏ Can furnish ambient, task, and accent lighting
❏ Used in many rooms
❏ Bedrooms, theaters, bathrooms
❏Bath/Vanity Fixtures
❏ Provide task lighting
❏ Available in wide range of styles, colors, and shapes
❏ Newer versions use glass/fabric shades to reduce glare
❏ Good for applying makeup or shaving
14. TypesofFixturesCont.
❏Portable Lighting
❏ Provides ambient, task, and accent lighting
❏ Many types:
❏ Table lamps, Floor lamps
❏ Clip-on-Lights
❏Track Lighting
❏ Mostly are small fixtures
❏ Provide a lot of flexibility
❏ Move the fixtures anyway along the track
❏ Special attachments to hang chandeliers and pendants
15. TypesofFixturesCont.
❏Recessed Lighting
❏ Provides all three types of lighting
❏ Installed in ceiling
❏ Can even be used outside on porches
❏Undercabinet Fixtures
❏ Provide task and accent lighting
❏ In the kitchen, they are mounted under cabinets
❏ In laundry room, they are the task lighting source
16. PropertiesofLight
In order for you to achieve several different effects of
lighting in your house you must first understand:
❏Light can be reflected and absorbed
❏Shine directly on an object
❏Light up an entire room
Absorbed
Reflected
17. Absorbedlight/Reflected Light
Absorbed light is drawn in by a surface.
It will make the area look smaller, so use
in large rooms.
❏ What absorbs the most light?
❏ Rough Textures
❏ Dark Colors
Reflected light is bounced off surfaces.
❏ What reflects light?
❏ Light colors
❏ Smooth/Shiny Surfaces
❏ Background Treatments
18. DiffusedLight
The light that is scattered over a large area.
Does not have a glare, it creates a soft
appearance.
Diffuser Examples:
❏White finish on incandescent and fluorescent bulbs
❏Covers for light fixtures
19. FunctionsofLights
Lighting is used for 3 main reasons.
❏ Visual Comfort
❏ General-provides uniform level of lighting
❏ Should light up an entire room
❏ Direct-Shines directly toward an object
❏ Indirect-directly toward a surface (ceiling/wall)
❏ Local-used in specific area where activities are done
❏ Used to help you see while doing a specific task
❏ Amount of local lighting needed depends on activity
❏ Playing table tennis requires more light than playing pool
20. FunctionsofLightsCont.
❏Lighting for Safety
❏ Good lighting will prevent
accidents
❏ Wiring can cause fires
❏ Buying safety-tested fixtures
lets you know that it meets
standards
❏Lighting for Beauty
❏ Soft Light
❏ Creates a quiet and
restful mood
❏ Sharp Light
❏ Highlights the focal point
❏ Can also be used outside
❏ Huge yard lights in rural
areas
❏ Smaller lights in urban
areas
❏ Avoid harsh and glaring
lights outdoors
21. Citations
❏ Lewis, Evelyn L., and Carolyn S. Turner. Housing Decisions. Tinley Park,
Illinois: The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc., 2004. 387-400. Print.
❏ American Lighting Association. N.p., 2014. Web. 27 Nov. 2015.
<https://www.americanlightingassoc.com/Lighting-Fundamentals.aspx>
❏ Connors, Jill. "3 Basic Types of Lighting." HGTV. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov.
2015. <http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/mechanical-systems/3-basic-types-of-
lighting>
