The living room is one of the first spaces in your house that visitors see upon entering your front door. That means it’s usually the 
first impression people have of your house as a whole which is why most of us strive to make it as handsome as possible with nice furniture, artwork and accessories. But what about the lighting? Too often, the task of lighting a room like the living room is almost an afterthought. But poor lighting — whether too dark or too bright — is an instant mood killer at any get together. There’s a science to lighting, so the first thing to think about before deciding on a particular style or design you like, is to make sure you understand the three different types of lighting …
- Ambient
- Task
- Accent
Ambient light is the room’s main source of light, whether it’s a central overhead fixture like a chandelier, or recessed ceiling or track lighting.
Task lighting is just what it sounds like. A lamp near a chair for reading, knitting, sewing, etc. puts the light where you need it in order to perform the task.
Accent lighting creates mood. Gentle up-lights can shine light on a tall floor plant or sculpture, for example. You can use lights to illuminate decorative objects on an étagère, or to light a painting. You can also use it to create atmosphere, or mood, as in lowering the lights for a romantic feeling.
Make a plan of where you’ll use each type of lighting and then you can set about choosing the style that coordinates best with the style of the room, whether that’s modern, traditional, transitional, rustic, or eclectic. You’ll be amazed at how much better your living room looks and performs when you’ve taken the time to light it the right way by layering ambient, task and accent lighting.
If you’re in the market for new lighting, visit one of our beautiful showroom located throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about any of our fine products.