A Beginner’s Guide to Lighting in Layers
Discover the secrets of combining light sources to create richer, more flexible living spaces
We talk quite glibly about creating layers of light, but what does it actually mean? Using multiple sources of light creates maximum effect in a space. For example, ambient lighting can be combined with task lighting to provide shadow-free working areas, while accent lighting adds drama and interest, and decorative lighting injects flair and personality. Using a mixture of fittings will create a richer home environment. Take a look at these examples to see how it can work for you.
Let different fittings do different jobs
With the downlights taking care of the ambient lighting in this dining area, the decorative fittings don’t need to have a high output to do their job. Not all fittings in a scheme need to emit the same level of light. Indeed, lighting everything equally ultimately means highlighting nothing at all.
This is an incredibly fun scheme that looks stunning in the daytime as well as providing soft, intimate lighting for evening dining, too.
Read tips on how to install pendant lights
With the downlights taking care of the ambient lighting in this dining area, the decorative fittings don’t need to have a high output to do their job. Not all fittings in a scheme need to emit the same level of light. Indeed, lighting everything equally ultimately means highlighting nothing at all.
This is an incredibly fun scheme that looks stunning in the daytime as well as providing soft, intimate lighting for evening dining, too.
Read tips on how to install pendant lights
Plan your downlights carefully
Downlight-based schemes can be rich and interesting. This example avoids the most common pitfall of putting in a grid of downlights (which, if used indiscriminately, can suck the shape and soul out of a space) and instead focuses on what’s happening in different parts of the room and lighting it sympathetically.
The focus of attention can be changed by raising or lowering different circuits for different areas; it’s important to group lights together into smaller circuits to give you that flexibility. Bear in mind that you can always set separate circuits at the same level, but you can’t easily split 20 or 30 circuit lights all wired to act as one!
This scheme shows what can be achieved with intelligently zoned downlights and some careful thought.
Downlight-based schemes can be rich and interesting. This example avoids the most common pitfall of putting in a grid of downlights (which, if used indiscriminately, can suck the shape and soul out of a space) and instead focuses on what’s happening in different parts of the room and lighting it sympathetically.
The focus of attention can be changed by raising or lowering different circuits for different areas; it’s important to group lights together into smaller circuits to give you that flexibility. Bear in mind that you can always set separate circuits at the same level, but you can’t easily split 20 or 30 circuit lights all wired to act as one!
This scheme shows what can be achieved with intelligently zoned downlights and some careful thought.
Soften a bathroom with accent lighting
Bathrooms present one of the toughest challenges for LED lighting. Ideally, you want to control both the output and colour temperature of fittings across the day. Colour temperature is how cool or warm the light appears. In a bathroom, you ideally want cool white light in the morning to wake you up and make you alert, while at sunset you want warm light to tell you that night and sleep are on the way.
LED is largely fixed in colour temperature, but it’s still possible to layer lighting to use different circuits for different jobs. Good, accurate colour rendering fittings for make-up lighting can be combined with low-level accent lights that can be used on their own late at night. The key is to separate out the circuits to give you flexibility.
Bathrooms present one of the toughest challenges for LED lighting. Ideally, you want to control both the output and colour temperature of fittings across the day. Colour temperature is how cool or warm the light appears. In a bathroom, you ideally want cool white light in the morning to wake you up and make you alert, while at sunset you want warm light to tell you that night and sleep are on the way.
LED is largely fixed in colour temperature, but it’s still possible to layer lighting to use different circuits for different jobs. Good, accurate colour rendering fittings for make-up lighting can be combined with low-level accent lights that can be used on their own late at night. The key is to separate out the circuits to give you flexibility.
Light personal features in your home
Accent lighting is all about picking out those features that matter to you. Great accent lighting can be almost hidden in full view, making your eye focus on the feature brought to life by the light.
LED offers great opportunities for accent lighting with remarkably small in-wall, uplight, downlight and linear fittings available for the tightest of spaces.
Accent lighting is all about picking out those features that matter to you. Great accent lighting can be almost hidden in full view, making your eye focus on the feature brought to life by the light.
LED offers great opportunities for accent lighting with remarkably small in-wall, uplight, downlight and linear fittings available for the tightest of spaces.
Add intimacy with long-drop fittings
The long-drop pendant coupled with the lit onyx table achieves two very different and seemingly incompatible effects in this triple-height entrance hall. The two light sources bring the lighting down to an intimate level in what could be a tricky space, while the long-drop pendant also draws your eye upwards, emphasising the glorious space.
It’s a clever solution that works well in the evening, but also complements the natural light that streams in during the day.
The long-drop pendant coupled with the lit onyx table achieves two very different and seemingly incompatible effects in this triple-height entrance hall. The two light sources bring the lighting down to an intimate level in what could be a tricky space, while the long-drop pendant also draws your eye upwards, emphasising the glorious space.
It’s a clever solution that works well in the evening, but also complements the natural light that streams in during the day.
Be consistent with colour temperature
Using multiple light sources can unify a space better than a blanket of downlights, where the light is all coming from one direction.
One thing to bear in mind when using different light sources is that subtle variations in colour will be accentuated. Take time to test different fittings alongside each other to create a harmonious scheme, as in this energising, cool white kitchen.
Using multiple light sources can unify a space better than a blanket of downlights, where the light is all coming from one direction.
One thing to bear in mind when using different light sources is that subtle variations in colour will be accentuated. Take time to test different fittings alongside each other to create a harmonious scheme, as in this energising, cool white kitchen.
Make a statement with colour
With coloured fittings on separate circuits, it’s possible to turn a hard-working, utilitarian kitchen into a dramatic party and entertaining space when needed. Colour-changing LED fittings and the increasing use of lighting control systems have made adding drama through colour much more achievable.
Discover how to make a feature with lighting
With coloured fittings on separate circuits, it’s possible to turn a hard-working, utilitarian kitchen into a dramatic party and entertaining space when needed. Colour-changing LED fittings and the increasing use of lighting control systems have made adding drama through colour much more achievable.
Discover how to make a feature with lighting
Highlight an interesting ceiling with uplights
Pair miniature floor-mounted LED uplights with more traditional wall lights to emphasise the striking architecture of domed or curved ceilings, just as the owners have done in this renovated Arts and Crafts house. The combination of light sources raises your eye through the space to make the most of this beautiful ceiling, and it also frames the door at the end of the corridor.
Pair miniature floor-mounted LED uplights with more traditional wall lights to emphasise the striking architecture of domed or curved ceilings, just as the owners have done in this renovated Arts and Crafts house. The combination of light sources raises your eye through the space to make the most of this beautiful ceiling, and it also frames the door at the end of the corridor.
Layer task, ambient and accent lighting for maximum results
This bathroom demonstrates the difference between three different categories of lighting that are working at once. Downlighting provides the light we need to see and work in a space. The decorative fittings soften the room and layer the ambient light. The mirror fitting provides shadow-free make-up lighting, while the simple, lit mirrored niches use miniature LED downlights to highlight key products and add a touch of glamour and personality.
TELL US…
Have layered lighting schemes altered your space for the better? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
This bathroom demonstrates the difference between three different categories of lighting that are working at once. Downlighting provides the light we need to see and work in a space. The decorative fittings soften the room and layer the ambient light. The mirror fitting provides shadow-free make-up lighting, while the simple, lit mirrored niches use miniature LED downlights to highlight key products and add a touch of glamour and personality.
TELL US…
Have layered lighting schemes altered your space for the better? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Sponsored
Open-plan kitchen-diners are multi-functional by nature and lend themselves to being zoned with light. This rich design combines high-output downlights over the working areas with smaller, infill downlights for more ambient light. The dining area is softened with pendants and concealed cove lighting, and the whole scheme is unified by having the same colour palette across the space.
It’s really worthwhile getting a professional’s advice when you’re debating how to light multi-use rooms like this.