What Are the Different Types of Lighting? A Guide to Getting Started
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive commission for purchases made through these links. Price at time of publish date may change.
When you’re deciding on your home design scheme, reliable furniture, stylish decor, and smart storage aren’t the only areas you need to focus on. Lighting also plays a huge role in creating a cohesive look and feel in your space. The types of lighting you choose for your home can be the difference between a space that feels bland, unwelcoming, or harsh, and one that feels warm and inviting to both you and your guests. Selecting the right combination of table lamps, light fixtures, and accent lighting might seem intimidating at first, but once you know the basics, you’ll be ready to curate a chic space that feels uniquely you.
There are four main types of lighting—general, task, accent, and ambient—each with its own distinct purpose. Some options will fit perfectly in certain spaces, while others may look out of place. To help you make the best decision for your particular space, we’re breaking down each lighting type, how it functions, and where it usually works best in the home. Below, find everything you need to know before you shop, along with our recommendations for some of the most stylish lighting options you can purchase online right now.
General Lighting
Think of general lighting as the primary way that you illuminate your space. At its most basic, it’s a utilitarian way to take your room from dark to light so that you can see. This type of lighting runs the gamut from eye-catching statement pieces and ornate chandeliers to unremarkable fixtures like high hats and recessed lighting. General lighting is the jumping-off point that will inform all of your other lighting choices.
Task Lighting
Aptly named, task lighting is lighting designated for a specific purpose. Think desk lamps, floor lamps for the reading nook or living room, under-cabinet kitchen lights to illuminate your countertops, and halo lights for video conferences or vlogging. You wouldn’t count on them to light up the whole room, but they are perfect for their assigned job. While task lighting is mainly about function, you can easily find options that are just as stylish and stunning as they are useful.
Accent Lighting
Like task lighting, accent lighting is meant for a specific purpose, in this case to highlight designated elements of a room that might otherwise be overlooked. You might choose a wall sconce to brighten a work of art or a pendant that hangs over a sculpture or plant. The idea behind accent lighting is to draw the eye to a statement piece or specific area to showcase its intricacies.
Ambient Lighting
In contrast to the general lighting you need, ambient lighting sets the tone that you want. Also called mood lighting, ambient lighting is an extra layer of lighting that serves no practical purpose other than to infuse your space with the right ambiance. Think of adding colored lights to a kid’s room or switching on decorative sconces with warm-toned bulbs in your living room to set a relaxing vibe in the evenings. There’s nothing utilitarian about ambient lighting elements; but they’re very important to making your space feel ultra-cozy.
