When planning your home’s lighting scheme, you need to consider three main types of light: Ambient, Task and Accent lighting. Some might also include decorative and natural lighting as additional options, but it’s completely up to you as to what you want to use in your home to create your ideal lighting scheme.
In this guide, we will focus on ambient lighting, what it is and how to incorporate it into your home, with examples to help you create the perfect lighting ambience.
Table of contents:
- What is the meaning of ambient light?
- What is ambient lighting good for?
- What is the difference between ambient light and natural light?
- What is an example of ambient light?
- How to create ambient lighting
What is the meaning of ambient light?
When we talk about ambient light in lighting design, it means the general diffused light in a given room or environment.
The light is characteristically soft, even and not directional, creating minimal shadows and a natural feel.
What is ambient lighting good for?
Ambient light’s main purpose is to provide overall illumination without the light source being directly noticeable. Because of this, it’s good for creating a comfortable, functional, and welcoming environment for any space. It ensures everything is visible without creating harsh shadows or overly dramatic effects. Ambient light also acts as a base layer when planning your lighting scheme before adding other lighting, such as task or accent lights.
When planning your lighting scheme, the main reasons you need ambient lighting are:
- For general illumination and safety: Ambient lights make it easier to move around and see without straining your eyes.
- For comfort and atmosphere: Ambient lighting creates a soft and inviting atmosphere, making a space feel warm, cosy and relaxing.
- The base of lighting design: Always start with ambient lighting as the base of your design before adding other light layers, such as task and accent lighting.
- It works in most rooms: Ambient lighting suits most rooms and settings.
- For minimising shadows and glare: Ambient light softens contrasts in a room, making it ideal for spaces where harsh lighting would be distracting or uncomfortable.
- For a balanced light design: Ambient light also helps illuminate a space’s overall design and colour scheme by uniformly lighting walls, furniture and decor.
What is the difference between ambient light and natural light?
Ambient and natural light are sometimes used interchangeably. Although related, they have a few distinct characteristics, especially in a lighting design context.
Ambient light refers to the overall light that provides general illumination in a room or environment; it can come from natural or artificial sources, such as sunlight through windows or lights inside the room.
However, natural light only refers to light from natural sources, such as the sun, moon, or stars. Natural light can come into a room through windows from direct sunlight or skylight (light from clouds).
Natural light is valued in lighting design for its dynamic quality, as it changes in intensity, colour, and direction throughout the day. Natural light is also versatile because it can be directional or diffused, such as sunlight streaming through a window or diffused through an overcast sky.
However, because natural light is changeable, it can’t provide consistent ambient light 24/7. Artificial ambient light, therefore, is crucial in lighting design.
What is an example of ambient light?
In the context of interior lighting design, ambient light is light that bounces off walls and ceilings to create a soft, general illumination.
Lights such as ceiling light fixtures or evenly distributed wall sconces can provide excellent ambient light to any room. Lights with lanterns or diffusers will also create even light distribution across the room to prevent shadows and help the light source blend into the interior design.
How to create ambient lighting
So far, we’ve established that ambient light is essential for lighting interiors. But how do you create it? Here are our top tips for adding it to your home.
1. Use ceiling fixtures
Flush or semi-flush ceiling lights are perfect for rooms with low ceilings. They can provide a soft, evenly distributed light, perfect for your ambient light layer.
Chandeliers with diffused bulbs can also provide ambient light in larger spaces and add a touch of elegance.
2. Incorporate wall sconces
Evenly spread wall sconces create gentle, diffused light that can illuminate your room while adding style.
3. Use dimmer switches
Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the intensity level of your ambient light to match your mood or the time of day.
4. Choose the right bulbs
Once you’ve chosen your light fixtures, we recommend choosing the right bulb colour temperature for each room. For example, choose warm bulbs (2700K-3000K) for bedrooms and living rooms to create a cosy, inviting space.
Or, for kitchen ambient light or workspace that requires a brighter, more functional feel, we recommend a neutral light (3500K-4000K).
5. Maximise natural light
During the day, natural light can help provide ambient light to your rooms. Use thin or sheer curtains or blinds to diffuse the sunlight for a more subtle ambient light.
Mirrors can also help reflect and spread natural light, enhancing the ambient light during the day.
How to create ambient lighting in the bedroom
When thinking specifically about ambient lighting in a bedroom, your primary aim is creating a soft, soothing and even layer of light that promotes relaxation as well as remaining functional.
Follow the tips above, but when choosing light shades, ensure you opt for ones with soft fabrics or frosted glass to create a soothing diffused glow, whether you want a subtle ceiling light or warming wall lights.
As mentioned above, we recommend choosing warm white bulbs (between 2700K and 3000K) for ambient lighting in a bedroom to create a warm and cosy environment.
Dimmable lights are also particularly useful in bedrooms because they can be dimmed, creating a soothing ambient light before bed. When you want to wake up, turn the brightness up in the morning, and you’ll be ready for your day.
If adding ambient light to your bedroom, always avoid exposed bulbs or fixtures that create glare. Instead, use diffused, indirect light for a soft, relaxing ambience.
How to create ambient lighting in the living room
Similarly to bedrooms, living rooms require a warm, inviting, yet functional ambient lighting scheme. Since living rooms serve multiple purposes in the home—relaxation, entertainment, and socialising—the ambient lighting needs to be versatile and comfortable enough for various situations.
To create a versatile space, ensure you can alter the lighting levels of your primary light sources with dimmer switches. This will allow you to set the mood for different activities, such as movie nights or entertaining guests.
With this in mind and following the tips above, you can create a well-balanced, welcoming, versatile ambient lighting scheme in your living room.
Ambient lighting at UBER Interiors
Now you know what ambient lighting is and how to incorporate it into your home, it’s time to choose your perfect lights.
At UBER Interiors, we specialise in luxury ceiling and wall lights, perfect for creating the ideal ambience in your home. Whether you want a central ceiling light to bring calming and relaxing light to your living room or wall lights to create a sanctuary in your bedroom, browse luxury ambient lights here at UBER Interiors.