Lighting as a Decorative Tool

Lighting can be one of the best decorating tools in your arsenal if you need to create a certain mood or atmosphere. There are many types of lighting and many uses for it, including accent lighting, down lighting, up lighting, front lighting, and Soffit lighting.

These are some of the more popular methods of decorative lighting, though there are plenty more that abound in the creative hands of interior designers. Do the research, and also experiment with the use of light-you never know what you might come up with.

All powerful in their own ways, each lighting method has its own purpose and niche, and is used to create different decorative lighting effects. Using lighting as a decorative tool is a wise choice, as it can make all the difference in a room's ambience.

Accent lighting

Accent lighting is mostly decorative and is used to highlight elements that you want to stand out. It is used museums and homes around the world to showcase art and other goods, and is also used to accent outdoor lighting along pathways, lawns, and more. Its main purpose is to showcase the item it highlights. A common method of lighting, it is used widely by interior designers and other decorators.

Down lighting

Down lighting is one of the most common lighting methods used in homes and buildings. Fixtures on the ceiling cast light downward, and the amount of light cast makes down lighting one of the most efficient and cost-effective types of lighting available.

Up lighting

Up lighting is less used, and when it is implemented, it typically generates a dramatic contrast through deep shadows or highlighted areas. Less efficient than direct lighting, it is nevertheless ideal for creating a mysterious, elegant atmosphere, and can be a lot of fun to work with.

Front lighting

Front lighting is a very common lighting method, and is ideal for ridding an area of shadows. It creates a flattening effect that is quite useful if you're trying to create a light, peaceful atmosphere. On the other hand, front lighting shouldn't be used if you're trying to create an overly dramatic effect complete with shadows; it has a tendency to even out the light in an area.

Soffit lighting

Soffit lighting is typically a lighting method that creates a "wall wash" and is usually used to highlight textures like plaster and stucco. It can be both decorative and general lighting, depending on the way you arrange the lighting and the types of lights used. Be careful when using it to bring out textures on walls, as it will bring out both the beauty and defects of the wall in question.