Types of lighting with photo examples

Artificial lighting of a house and apartment is a very important stage in creating a comfortable environment. In addition, lamps are always part of the interior decor. Our advice site decided to understand this topic and give photo examples of each of the existing types of room lighting.

General lighting

As the name implies, it is intended to illuminate the entire room as a whole. Traditionally, general lighting is understood as a sufficiently large and noticeable chandelier in the center of the ceiling. However, there are actually several options. For example, spotlights around the entire perimeter of a stretch or suspended ceiling are also general lighting, because most often they are turned on and used simultaneously.

General lighting, in turn, is divided into the following subspecies:

• Directional. The most striking, perhaps, example of such illumination is track lamps, to which the portal devoted a separate article. Designers call the directional light going exactly to a specific surface too aggressive and urge not to get carried away with it;
• Reflected, indirect. An example is again small ceiling lights around the perimeter of the room. The light is reflected from the walls, ceiling, does not irritate, the space is illuminated evenly, there are no light spots from the directional light on the floor;
• Scattered. It is obtained thanks to shades, lampshades, which soften the flow of light, direct it in different directions;
• Mixed. Some lamps both diffuse light and direct it up or down.

Local lighting

The second main type of artificial lighting in rooms. Used to highlight individual areas. These are all kinds of sconces, table lamps, floor lamps, as well as pendant lighting fixtures that are designed to highlight, for example, a dining table in the kitchen, a reading corner in the living room, a headboard, a mirror in the hallway …

Designers assure that local lighting is indispensable even in small rooms. A striking example is the work area in a tiny kitchen. She still needs her own light. A hood with built-in lamps often helps to cope with this task. Or LED strip under the top row of cabinets.

But in some cases, general lighting can be completely abandoned. For example, why do you need a powerful chandelier in your bedroom or small office? Two table lamps on the bedside tables or sconces on the sides of the headboard will suffice. And lamps by the dressing table, if you have one.

Only by combining different types of lighting will you create a comfortable atmosphere. Be sure to plan in advance the location of switches and sockets, carefully consider the location of household appliances and furnishings, and provide sufficient illumination for each zone. And the lamps themselves in style should be suitable for the chosen direction of interior decoration..