Lighting can increase the livability, beauty, and functionality of your home as well as create a dramatic impact in your space. It deserves as much thought as the actual floor plan design of your home.
When implemented correctly, you will have created an amazing ambience complete with functionality and beauty that brings your home to life.
Types of Lighting
There are three basic types of lighting: Ambient, task, and accent. An effective lighting plan maximizes the use of these three layers, while considering function and style. Accent and task lighting have specific purpose, while ambient lighting is more decorative that works to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Together, they bring a cohesive feel and inviting warmth to your Ft Myers custom home.
Ambient Lighting
Also known as general lighting, ambient lighting is intended to light up a room in its entirety with uniformity. It is the foundation of the lighting layers. Ambient lighting is bright but soft, sometimes dimmable to accommodate night and day settings, and free of glare.
This type of lighting radiates enough brightness so you can easily and safely move throughout your space.
Ambient lighting typically consists of chandeliers, can/recessed lights, ceiling fans, wall or ceiling mounts, and track lights. They are often in the center of the room, like a foyer, bedroom, or living area, or along its perimeter.
Task Lighting
Just as the name implies, task lighting lights a particular area making the completion of a task easier. It is used to increase visibility to an area, with enough light to illuminate details, reduce strain on the eyes, and avoid distracting shadows. Task lighting is great above your vanity area, when cooking in the kitchen, reading in the den, or working in your home office.
More than just aesthetics, task lighting is necessary to work safely and comfortably.
Task lighting includes pendants, wall-mounted lights, under cabinet lighting, swing arm lamps, table lamps, desk lamps, and strategically placed recessed lights.
Placement is important when it comes to effective and comfortable task lighting. When you work with Richardson Custom Homes, our in-house designer will help you create the ideal lighting plan for your custom home or renovation.
With both the ambient and task layers in place, your room should be fully functional for its intended purpose. The final layer takes the functional bases of the ambient and task layers and adds artistry and style.
Accent Lighting
The accent layer is the finishing touch that takes your space to a new level, making it cozy, dramatic, and intriguing. Its purpose is to compliment the other two layers, while directing your eye to dazzling architectural features like columns, elaborate floral arrangements, or a vibrant work of art.
Accent lighting adds that desired glow and gives you a warm cozy feeling when done correctly.
Common types of accent fixtures include track lighting, table lamps, stripe\ lights, small candle bulbs or hanging wall lanterns.
The Ultimate Lighting Plan
With all three layers incorporated, the room should be safe, comfortable, and beautifully accented.
While each of these lighting types offers functional benefits on its own, together, they have a symbiotic effect. Therefore, it’s important to incorporate lighting fixtures from each category when creating a lighting plan for your Ft Myers new custom home or renovation.
Richardson Custom Homes has been renovating and building custom dream homes in Ft Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel Island, and surrounding areas for nearly 40 years. Our in-house designer, Vikki Richardson, will guide you each step of the way through your build or renovation, ensuring your décor, furniture, and lighting all work together cohesively.
Look to us to develop a well-executed lighting plan that will be both functional and beautiful in your new Ft Myers home or renovation. Contact us, 239-694-8889
