We’ve been consulting with a lot of clients lately on new build and renovation projects, and our biggest focus when it comes to illuminating a home is layering for optimal function, mood and richness. Combining the below lighting techniques will accentuate your space and meet multiple areas of need:

Task Lighting:

Task lighting provides general illumination in a space that primarily gives off a glare-free / shadow-free hue to take on general activities. Recess and pendant lighting in our Reston kitchen pictured above usually provides these characteristics. In our below Herndon dining space, the linear fixture over the dining table and pendants over the bar area provide the main task lighting.

Accent Lighting:

Accent lighting is used to accentuate and enhance a space. Typically sconce lighting, picture lighting and side table lamps do the trick in these cases. Table lamps can be used not only in a living room and bedrooms, as used above in our Arlington project, but also on a kitchen counter to give a more intimate feel to a typically vast room. Using picture lighting over shelving in a living room, office or kitchen, as seen below in our Great Falls project, gives another layer of light that offsets the general overhead task lighting that can often feel more harsh.

Ambient Lighting: 

Ambient lighting is exactly as it insinuates – light that gives off ambience, enhances mood or adds to the function of a space. Toe kick lighting, as seen above in our Alexandria kitchen, under the cabinet lighting and sconce lighting are good examples of ambient lighting in a space.

Adding these 3 forms of lighting to a space gives the layers needed to make a space feel finished, functional and interesting.