This post may earn affiliate income from links and/or review products to help support this site from the companies .
How Different Types Of Lighting Affect How We Perceive A Room
When many people walk into a room, they are immediately drawn to the windows. It’s only natural that light is what we crave in our homes and offices, but oftentimes it can be an overlooked feature when designing a space.
Lighting has the ability to change how you see your environment in many ways- from making details more noticeable or adding depth by reflecting off of hard surfaces like mirrors or floors, to changing moods with its warm glow. This article will discuss which types of lighting affect us the most by highlighting their effects on rooms both inside and outside.
Natural Light
The first and most widely used type of lighting is natural light. On cloudy days, shadows become more apparent and the colors in your environment appear duller than on a sunny day due to the amount of reflected light. Depending on where you place furniture or hang art, this can make it seem as if certain areas aren’t as lived in or put together as others.
In addition, this also contributes to the perception of a smaller space because it can be harder to see corners and furniture due to being able to “hide” in the shadows cast by natural light. If you have a large window that lets in plenty of natural light but cannot afford curtains or blinds, opt for light colors on the ceiling for a bright reflective surface that will bounce more light around the room.
LED Light
Since LEDs have become more popular, the technology has improved by leaps and bounds. The cost of LED bulbs has dropped significantly since they were first introduced. Almost everywhere you go now, you can find them at almost any hardware or online store at good prices. Because they are so cheap to run, they are often found in spaces that are utilitarian instead of aesthetically pleasing, such as garages and utility closets.
LED lights also create a shadow to the side of any object, which can make it seem like there is more than one light source in a room even when there isn’t. This can be great if you want an ambient glow, but not optimal if you want to highlight details on surfaces.
Halogen Light
While many wouldn’t consider halogen lighting, it is another common type found in home design. Halogen lights are cheaper than incandescent bulbs and give off a brighter light for less power. This makes them an attractive option for homeowners looking to lower their electric bills but still want bright light sources.
Halogen lights are often much better for highlighting designs or textures in a room because they produce a sharp shadow, unlike LEDs. If you have any art pieces that need to be the center of attention, halogen lights will make them look great from anywhere in the room.
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but can often give off a yellowish tint that isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as other types.
Colored Lightning
Colored lighting is typically associated with nightclubs and bars. Even though there are many types of colored bulbs, the most common ones used by designers are red, blue, green, pink, and yellow. These types of lights are typically kept low to the ground and aimed at certain areas of a dance floor or stage. Because they are so focused, these can be great for highlighting details without making everything else look harsher due to shadows.
The reason these colors are used in certain spaces is that they can change our mood to match whatever atmosphere the designer wants us to feel (i.e. calming, bold, or other).
Fluorescent Light
Although they are often thought of as harsh and unattractive compared to incandescent lighting, fluorescent lights are common in kitchens due to their ability to illuminate surfaces accurately.
They aren’t ideal in rooms where people tend to spend a lot of time because they create unflattering shadows. Fluorescent bulbs are also the most energy-efficient- using around 80% less power than incandescent bulbs to produce the same brightness.
Incandescent Light
One of the most widely used types of lighting, incandescent bulbs are also one of the cheapest to run. Unfortunately, this type is quickly being phased out in favor of more energy-efficient LED and fluorescent bulbs, but you can still find them in almost every hardware store.
With the number of choices available, it’s very likely that there is an incandescent bulb to fit any color scheme or mood you might want- simply choose which best complements your home design.
The choice of lighting can have a huge impact on how you perceive your room. Knowing how different types of lighting works allows you to better control the way your room looks.
