The Ultimate Indoor Lighting Guide
Good lighting can transform a home. Lighting affects how rooms feel, colours appear and how well a space actually functions. Indoor lighting is an underestimated part of interior design, often chosen last and rarely changed.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about indoor lighting, with practical advice for every room in your home.
What is Layered Lighting?
One of the most important concepts of indoor lighting is layering. Instead of having a single overhead fitting provide all the light, layered lighting allows for light from multiple sources at different heights.
The three layers are:
- Ambient lighting – this is the foundation layered lighting, the illumination that fills the room. Usually ceiling pendants, flush mounts or recessed downlights.
- Task lighting – this is directed lighting, targeted on specific areas where you need to see clearly such as desks lamps or under-cabinet strips.
- Accent lighting – this is decorative lighting. Wall lights, picture lights, LED strips or uplighters are examples of accent lighting.
With all three of these working together, you have a room with dimension. Swapping a single ceiling light for layered lighting will make a huge difference.
How Should You Approach Lighting Room by Room?
Lighting should reflect the room’s function.
Living rooms require flexibility. You may want bright light for certain activities but a warmer, dimmer light for evenings. Combining a ceiling fitting with floor lamps and wall lights will enable the room to be adapted across the day. Dimmers are so useful here, they enable you to change the light and therefore atmosphere without changing a single fitting. For a deeper dive, read our complete guide to living and dining room lighting.
Kitchens require clear lighting. Work surfaces, hobs and sinks all need bright, shadow free lighting. You can achieve this through pendant lighting on top of an island. To illuminate worktops, we recommend under-cabinet LED strips, they direct light exactly where you need it. Explore our pendant lighting guide for kitchens for further information on how to use pendants in kitchens.
Home offices are important and usually overlooked. Poor lighting conditions cause eye strain and fatigue. Start with a combination of good ambient lighting and a high quality adjustable desk lamp. Our guide to lighting for home offices expands on this.
What Makes Bedroom Lighting Different?
Bedroom lighting must support getting ready in the morning, reading at night, winding down before bed and anything in between.
The best way to achieve this is by having ambient overhead lighting to offer illumination, dedicated bedside lamps for reading and task lighting in wardrobe or dressing areas.
Colour temperature plays a role in bedroom lighting. Warmer tones support relaxation and signal to the body that it’s time to wind down. While, cooler light is perfect for workspaces. Read our complete bedroom lighting guide for more information.
How Do You Get Bathroom Lighting Right?
Poorly positioned bathroom light creates shadows making getting ready difficult. This is exactly what a single ceiling light creates.
The most effective bathroom light is wall-mounted or vertical strips either side of the mirror, illuminating your face evenly. This doesn’t just matter aesthetically, it improves how accurately you apply makeup, shave or check your appearance.
Always comply with safety regulations with bathroom lights.all bathroom light fittings must come with appropriate IP rating for their position in the room. Bathrooms are divided into zones and lighting closer requires higher IP ratings. Read our guide to bathroom lights and IP ratings to understand the zoning system and choose the right bathroom light for every position.
What Role Does Wall Lighting Play in a Home?
Wall lighting is such an underused tool in homes. Wall lighting adds light at eye level, immediately creating a warmer, more human feel than overhead illumination.
In a hallway, wall lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere. While in a living room, wall lighting offers both ambient fill and visual balance. In a bedroom, wall lighting is a space saving solution and is an excellent reading light.
Wall lighting is also a design piece. The fitting will be always visible so should complement the room’s aesthetic.
Where Do Most People Go Wrong with Indoor Lighting?
The most common mistake is relying on a single light source. One light source will create a flat and unflattering light that doesn’t define the space or support how you use it.
The second most common mistake is deciding on fitting before you consider the function. The fitting matters and a pendant that floods your dining table with glare or a floor lamp that casts shadows will feel wrong no matter how much it costs.
Getting indoor lighting right requires thought but the outcome is a home that works better, feels better and looks exactly how you wanted it to.
Is It Time to Rethink Your Indoor Lighting?
Great lighting is intentional. You need to understand how light layers work together, choose fittings that match the tooms functions and consider controls such as dimmers and colour temperature.
The principles remain the same whether you are starting from scratch or rethinking a room that doesn’t feel right. Build in layers, plan by room and ensure the light serves the function.
Explore the full IOS lighting range to find the perfect indoor lighting for every room.