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The most common source of ambient or general lighting in the United States comes from ceiling fixtures. Ceiling fixtures are typically small, simple, single-bulb fixtures that are used to illuminate an entire room. Many other kinds of lighting can be used as ambient lighting too, of course. In this article we’ll talk about how all those types of light sources come together and what other kinds of light can be used to optimally illuminate your space.

In addition to ceiling fixtures, which can be flush mounts or semi-flush mounts, chandeliers, cove, soffit, and recessed lighting can also provide good ambient light. Think of ambient light as the “natural” light in a room. It should be flat, neutral, and produce the least amount of glare and harsh shadows possible.

Ambient light is great for ensuring you can move around the space without bumping into things or injuring yourself. It’s also good as neutral light for general purpose living in your space. It’s not always the best light for things like reading, crafts, cooking, or anything else that requires attention to detail. For that kind of thing you need task lighting.

Task lighting is slightly more specialized than ambient lighting. Task lighting can be thought of as any lighting that illuminates a specific surface or area with more direct, useful light. Under-cabinet lighting, a freestanding reading lamp, or a desk lamp are all common examples of task lighting. Task lighting allows for additional light so you can work on a given project or task without working in your own shadow. Cooking a meal with only overhead light can be a challenge. It can be difficult to see what you’re doing which can ultimately be dangerous if you can’t see what you’re cutting or if you misjudge where a pan full of hot oil is on the stove.

Accent lighting is another important component of your lighting repertoire. It can be thought of as directional lighting that adds drama to a room by creating points of visual interest. Spotlights like SunLake’s PAR30s or PAR38s used to highlight artwork, paintings, sculptures, houseplants, or even the texture of a wall or other architectural detail. Accent lighting is a great way to supplement your style and draw the eye to certain aspects of your home or office decor. Recessed and track lighting can also function as accent lighting. As can a well-placed lamp or wall sconce.

The last piece of the lighting puzzle (for the purposes of this discussion) is decorative lighting. Often decorative lighting refers more to the fixture itself than the kind of lighting it provides. An ornate chandelier is certainly a decorative lighting fixture but it can also be used to create ambient lighting. So it’s worth keeping in mind that these types are fluid and are more inclusive descriptors rather than exclusive categories. SunLake has a selection of excellent decorative light bulbs including the G25, and various vintage-style filament bulbs. Architectural lighting is any kind of lighting built into an immovable part of a room’s architecture. That could be a cove, a soffit, a valence, embedded in a wall, etc. There are many ways to achieve these indirect lighting effects and while they’re often decorative in style, and typically create softer, indirect, less “useful” and more decorative light, they can also be used for ambient lighting in the right conditions.

Ambient lighting is crucial. It’s the most important kind of light for any given room. However, a room that only has ambient light is missing important pieces to the lighting puzzle. A room with only ambient light, especially only one or two sources of ambient light can feel cold and it can be difficult to use the room to its full potential. If a living room has only overhead light from a ceiling fan fixture, it will be very difficult if not impossible to read in that comfy chair in the corner. A balance in lighting options is crucial to a safe, comfortable, useful living space.

Below are just some examples of SunLake’s bulbs and their uses in and around your home. For SunLake’s full lighting selection, click here.

Ambient lighting

Ceiling fixtures, fan fixtures, sconces, etc.

Task lighting

Table and desk lamps, recessed lighting, track lighting, etc.

Accent lighting

Spotlights, track lights, wall sconces, etc.

Decorative lighting

Chandeliers, string lights, exposed bulb fixtures, cove and soffit lighting, etc.