5 Types of Lighting That Interior Designers Love

In the world of interior design, there are five different lighting techniques that professionals use either individually or together in order to enhance both the functionality and ambience of your home. Layering these options skillfully will help to set the mood, highlight focal points and create a sense of space. It will also enhance the character of each room, bringing a sense of warmth and welcoming to your aesthetics.

Join our expert team as we explore these options, show you their unique benefits and give you examples of how to use them to your advantage.

The benefits of integrated lighting in home décor

Before we dive into the different types available, let's take a detailed look at the benefits a well-considered lighting plan can bring to your home:

• Mood enhancement: It has the power to influence emotions, bringing energy, cosiness, intimacy, calm, drama or a sense of welcoming to your spaces. 
• Improved functionality: Increasing visibility, a good lighting plan will help you perform tasks optimally.
• Space definition: Using different types of lighting can assist with defining specific zones with a room, aiding in spatial organisation and flow. This is especially useful in open concept homes. 
• Visual impact: With many options available, an eye-catching fixture can serve as a decorative focal point, bringing refinement, glamour or elegance to your interiors.
• Safety: It reduces the risk of accidents by illuminating passages, stairs and other hazardous areas of the home. 
• Ocular comfort: Reducing glare, shadows and flicker, good lighting can help to keep your eyes from getting strained or fatigued. 
• Architectural and décor enhancement: Use it to accentuate unique characteristics in your home such as beautiful artwork, a gorgeous fireplace, archways or pillars.
• Increased productivity: Well-lit study areas and work spaces promote focus and concentration.

The five basic types of lighting

With over 35 years of experience in the interior design industry, you'll be able to get great advice from our FCI London team when it comes to how to use these five important techniques. Here's a breakdown of their different functions:

1. Ambient lighting

A crucial component in any space, this provides a room with basic illumination without creating too much glare. In interior design, it is the key shareholder in a layered lighting plan, bringing brightness, comfort and a sense of ease to your living environments. It also helps you navigate around your home, softens harsh shadows and reduces any glare.

From pendants and track lighting to glamorous chandeliers, there are plenty of options that will do the job - and we have a range that will suit any taste. 

Our top 3 picks:

• If you love Art Deco, then the Thibaud suspension lamp by Eichholtz is an elegant option. Geometric and simple, it's a classic choice that will infuse your space with a gentle glow. 
• The Apollo Pendant Lamp by Cattelan Italia comprises a stunning composition of delicate glass globes in a variety of custom colours, bringing a soft, diffused light to your living areas.  
• Add a touch of romance to your master bedroom with Georgio Collection's stunning Daydream Rezzonico chandelier - it's an absolute showstopper. 

2. Task lighting

Used to provide focused illumination to areas where tasks are performed, this type of lighting helps to eliminate glare, shadows and eye strain. It's especially important in home offices, craft rooms, reading nooks and workshops and can be achieved through a variety of sources including under-cabinet fixtures in kitchens as well as table and floor lamps. 

Our top 3 picks:

If you're refurbishing a bathroom, the Seamless Wall Lamp by Vesoi, provides focused illumination in a sleek, modern design, enabling you to do your makeup or clean your teeth with ease.

We also love the Andro Wall Lamp by Heathfield, featuring an adjustable head that would be perfect over a set of side tables. They're particularly useful if you love reading while tucked up in bed.

The Randolph floor lamp by Laskasas is a sleek addition to any living room and, with its elongated shape, is the ideal way to help you focus while you sew or do a crossword puzzle.

3. Accent lighting

This refers to the type of lighting employed to draw attention to specific objects, architectural features or areas within a room. It is a popular design choice for homes, museums, art galleries, and other places that aim to emphasise points of interest. It typically uses bright, focused light sources, such as LED spotlights or halogen bulbs in the form of wall sconces and floor lamps.

Our top 3 picks:

The Ptolemy Spotlight by Artemide features a flexible arm that can be positioned in a variety of directions, allowing you to illuminate your favourite sculpture, tapestry or painting.

Brabbu's Sinatra Iii Floor Lamp  uses LEDs to provide powerful luminance in a fun, contemporary design. It is a perfect choice if you're looking to create several different focal points in one space.

If you're looking for timeless appeal, the Lines collection by Serip will cast a gentle glow on your walls, enhancing the mood in your dining and living spaces. 

4. Decorative lighting

Decorative lighting is primarily used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a space rather than solely for functional purposes. They come in a wide range of styles, designs, and shapes to match a multitude of interior design genres. Often employing LED bulbs to conserve electricity, they are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while adding visual impact to your home. 

Whether you're looking to create a statement or simply add some extra sparkle, it is a key component of interior design.

Our top 3 picks:

• The Bouquet collection by Serip offers a variety of lighting formats from pendants to table lamps, each bringing a unique and striking floral infusion to your ensemble. 
• Cappellini's Melt Down floor lamp comes in a multitude of colours and provides a sculptural focal point that will help to fill awkward corners or dead areas in your room.
• A surprising addition to contemporary spaces, the Goodness table lamp by Artemide serves as a form of illumination while also providing a bowl for snacks or other decorative items. 

5. Natural light

Illumination of your room through windows, skylights or other openings, natural light is a vital element of architectural design and enhances both your visual comfort and your well-being. Aside from being a connection with the outside world, it also reduces energy costs, adding to the eco-friendliness of your home.

It is well-documented that exposure to natural light can increase serotonin levels, which is responsible for regulating sleep, mood and appetite. Furthermore, it boosts energy levels, and reduces both stress and eye strain.

Renewable and sustainable, it's a primary consideration in the construction of any building and is often a contributing factor to the overall success of your décor.

In conclusion

To find out more about how to use lighting optimally in your interior design projects, make a showroom appointment with our expert team today. We'll guide you through your choices and help you create spaces that are beautifully illuminated.