Layered lighting using multiple light sources is preferred over single source lighting as it creates a softer, more natural light. Ambient lighting helps illuminate the entire room and can come from sources like ceiling fixtures, sconces, cove lighting, and strategically placed lamps. Task lighting provides focused illumination for specific activities and accent lighting is used to draw attention to objects or features of a space. Proper lighting placement and fixture selection are important to avoid glare and veiling reflections.

1. LIGHTING DESIGN Instructor: Deborah Ogden

2. DO YOU HAVE ANY ROOMS WITH A SINGLE LIGHT SOURCE?

4. LAYERED LIGHTING IS SOFTER, MORE NATURAL, AND MORE PLEASING

6. CREATING A DRAMATIC FOCAL POINT IS ONE FUNCTION OF LIGHTING

8. LIGHTING CAN HELP CREATE AN ILLUSION

17. Architecture highlighted: Lighting in shelf area, spot over fireplace, down-lights on sofa tables

19. Now that is a bedroom ceiling! This could be built into any high-ceilinged room…Note the cove lighting

21. Avoid the “black mirror” effect by placing lighting on objects outside a glass wall or door

23. THERE ARE THREE MAIN TYPES OF LIGHTING: TASK LIGHTING AMBIENT LIGHTING ACCENT LIGHTING

25. Bedside task light can be wall or table lamps. Measure height of the seated user’s eye level, and place opaque shades just above shoulder, or place the center of a translucent shade at their eye level.

26. A single center-mounted ceiling light is often not a good task light. In this case, the user’s body blocks the light from shining on the task area.

27. Track lighting and down-lights also need to be placed where they will shine on the task and not on those performing the task.

28. Under-cabinet lighting mounted at the front of the cabinet bounces light off the backsplash and onto the countertop—the task area

29. Lighting a counter and backsplash made from glossy material takes extra care--to avoid glare and veiling reflections: mount adjustable recessed luminaires to give cross-illumination

30. Another example of a single source of light giving harsh shadows and no “fill” light

31. Linear task lights mounted near the back of the upper cabinet create a distracting glare for a seated diner—mount at front and use a fascia strip

33. VEILING REFLECTIONS, OR GLARE, ARE REFLECTIONS THAT PREVENT THE VIEWER FROM SEEING WHAT THEY NEED TO SEE

35. Glare can be caused by daylight coming in through a window—glare and light control is an important function of window treatments

36. “ Daylighting” is an entire field of study for commercial lighting experts. Effective use of daylight saves tons of pollutants and a great deal of electricity each year. Automatic systems can turn off un-needed areas of light in large offices to save energy--it all adds up.

37. WHAT WE CALL “LAMPS” ARE CALLED “PORTABLE LUMINAIRES” BY LIGHTING SPECIALISTS. LAMPS ARE OFTEN USED AS TASK LIGHTS. HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES:

38. These are generic names for lamp styles that have been around a long time

39. Pharmacy lamps are good reading lights, and as a floor lamp, do not require space for a table

40. These are all examples of floor lamps

41. These lamps are in many styles -- note also the wide variety of shades

42. Adjustable task lamps (some look like Pixar lamps..)

43. AMBIENT OR GENERAL LIGHTING A single ceiling fixture is the most common form of ambient lighting, but it’s seldom the best option. Ambient lighting is the category of lighting that is hardest to do well .

44. This room uses soffit, indirect, portable and overhead lighting

49. Table lamps are good for task lighting, but are pretty stark for ambient lighting without any other source

50. Torchieres are an easy way to get ambient light, but they are not effective the way they are often used--as task light

51. While up-lights are used mostly for accent lighting, they can also contribute to ambient light

52. Backlighting a translucent object—such as a folding screen, a door, etc. can generate ambient light

53. Concealed cove lighting is an outstanding source of ambient lighting

55. Hide an ambient lighting source above an armoire or bookcase

57. Tray ceilings lend themselves very well to cove lighting details