How Designers Use Lighting in Interior Design

The Definition of Lighting in Interior Design

Before we discuss how to use lighting in interior design, first, let us explore what exactly it is. Lighting in interior design refers to the deliberate use of light to enhance the aesthetic and purpose of a specific space. Interior designers monitor the selection, placement, and control of mixed light sources to create a desired ambience, highlight certain features, and provide functional illumination for tasks.

Lighting plays a crucial role in shaping the look and feel of a room, whilst it can also affect mood, comfort, and safety. In interior design, lighting is used alongside other design elements, such as colour, texture, and furniture, to create a cohesive and visually appealing space.

The Importance of Creating a Desired Atmosphere

When trying to replicate the work of an interior designer, lighting is an essential element in creating a desired ambience and aesthetic for your space. The correct lighting can transform a room from feeling flat and uninviting to warm and welcoming. By carefully controlling the light intensity, direction, and colour, interior designers can manipulate moods, highlight specific areas, and create a sense of drama and interest in a space. To help you achieve the best possible results, here are some pointers from our interior lighting manufacturing specialists here at EGLO.

The Top Lighting Techniques

There are several types of lighting techniques used in interior design, each serving a different purpose and creating a unique atmosphere. Some of the most common types of lighting techniques include:

Task Lighting - This type of lighting provides functional illumination for specific tasks, such as reading or cooking. Task lighting can be achieved through the use of desk lamps, under-cabinet lights, or reading lights.

How do interior designers use task lighting?

Interior designers use task lighting in the kitchen to offer focused lighting for specific tasks, such as food preparation, cooking, and cleaning. Kitchen LED light fixtures, such as spotlights, installed over the kitchen island will provide bright and direct task lighting with a focus on complementing the room’s overall aesthetic. Interior designers will utilise this approach in other rooms and spaces to create stylish yet functional lighting.

Ambient Lighting - This type of lighting provides general illumination for a room and sets the overall mood. Ambient lighting can be achieved through the use of overhead lights, wall sconces, or pendant lights.

How do interior designers use ambient lighting?

Ambient lighting is found in every room in the form of overhead lights, such as a modern pendant light or ceiling light, or soft lighting from table lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces. This type of lighting creates a warm and inviting atmosphere and can be adjusted to match the mood and activities in the space. Utilising multiple light sources in one room allows for more flexibility with what fixtures to illuminate, offering greater control over the room’s atmosphere.

Accent Lighting - This type of lighting draws attention to specific features or elements in a room, such as artworks or architectural details. Accent lighting can be achieved by using spotlights or picture lights.

How do interior designers use accent lighting?

Accent lighting can be used to create a focal point in a room. Focusing on light and shadow, interior designers can highlight specific features, such as a fireplace or piece of furniture. Adjustable spotlights and wall lights will draw attention to create this focal point, making it the centre of visual interest and highlighting unique characteristics of the home.

Natural Lighting - This type of lighting is provided by the sun and can create a connection with the outdoors to enhance the ambience of a space. Natural lighting can be achieved using windows, skylights, or mirrors.

How do interior designers use natural lighting?

A large window or skylight is the ideal way to bring natural light into a room, creating a bright and airy environment for rest and relaxation. Interior designers may use light-filtering blinds or curtains to control the amount of light entering the room for privacy and to regulate the temperature. With natural light being essential for mental well-being, designers must find ways to illuminate a room or space using sunlight.

Combining the Techniques

Now that we know the different types of lighting and their importance, let us explore how to use lighting in interior design. Layering lights is a technique used in interior design to achieve a balanced and dynamic lighting plan. It combines task, ambient, accent, and natural lighting to create a harmonious and functional space. 

Light is functional, practical, and decorative. It must be utilised in every room and taken full advantage of. By incorporating multiple light sources, you can create a space with lighting suitable for different living situations, allowing you to achieve your desired effect.

A basic lighting plan can be structured as follows:

The first layer is usually a ceiling light, such as a single pendant or a flush-mount fixture. This layer of lighting provides general illumination for the room and sets the overall tone and mood.

The second layer should illuminate specific areas or activities within the room. In a living room, this might include table lamps for reading or wall-mounted sconces for highlighting artwork.

The third layer should highlight specific features or objects in the room. Examples include track lighting to showcase a gallery wall or a floor lamp to highlight a piece of furniture.

The layering lights technique allows designers to control the amount of light in a room and create a balanced and harmonious environment.

Embrace Your Inner Interior Designer

By putting these techniques into practice, you will be able to create a beautiful environment tailored to your specific needs. Whether you are looking to create a warm and inviting atmosphere or simply add a personal touch to any space, using lighting as an interior design tool can help you achieve your desired result.

Experimenting with different lighting solutions can bring new life to your interior and help you create the ambience and aesthetic you desire. Whether adding a statement light fixture, incorporating task lighting for practical purposes, or adjusting the placement of existing lights, small changes can make a big impact.

Don't be afraid to play with light and shadow and try different combinations to find what works best for you and your space. Remember, lighting is an important element of interior design and can have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of a room. So go ahead, get creative, and have fun with lighting!

Do you want to learn more about our lighting products? Please contact us at EGLO UK anytime.