Ambient Lighting: Source, Types, and Installation Process

Ambient lighting is a general illumination in a room that provides an inviting and comfortable environment. It is a base layer of any lighting scheme that sets the mood and also enhances other lighting performance, like accent and task lighting. Ambient light is achieved through various fixtures like wall sconces, ceiling lights, or natural sources like skylights and windows. The warm color temperature (around 2700-3000K) is used to create a cheerful atmosphere. 

What are the Common Sources of Ambient Lighting?

The common sources of ambient lighting include:

1. Sunlight and Skylights: These lights provide natural light that enhances mood and synchronizes with the body’s natural rhythms. These lights reduce reliance on artificial lighting, resulting in lower energy consumption and electricity bills. Sunlight increases the level of vitamin D in the body. This is essential for bone strength and overall well-being. The long-term energy savings and health benefits make it a cost-effective choice.
2. Reflective Surfaces: Mirrors or glossy materials are used to enhance the ambient light effect by bouncing light. It makes the area spacious and brighter. Mirrors offer higher reflectivity due to the aluminum or silver layer behind a piece of glass. It reflects light from windows or lighting fixtures to enhance the ambiance. Glossy paint, wallpaper, or even furniture reflect light to magnify the overall illumination of a room. The type of finish (brushed or polished) adds a modern look. Textured or frosted glasses are also used to provide a softer and diffused light.
3. Ceiling Fixtures: Various types of ceiling fixtures, including pendant lights, chandeliers, recessed lights, ceiling lamps, and flush or semi-flush mountsare used for general room lighting. Chandeliers are used as a focal point to provide ambient lighting. These fixtures typically run for 25,000 to 50,000 hours, while incandescent bulbs last for 1,000 to 2,000 hours. Flush mounts work well for low ceilings because they sit directly against the surface. Pendant lights are used for ambient and task lighting. They hang down with the ceiling and are adjustable at different heights.
4. LED Downlights: These lights are a popular option for ambient lighting due to their durability, high energy efficiency, and sleek design. LED downlights with adjustable color temperatures help create a warm, inviting atmosphere. These lights last 50,000+ hours and consume 8-12 watts of energy, saving up to 80% compared to a normal light. The unobtrusive design of LED lights makes them an ideal choice for low ceilings and places where aesthetics are a priority. 
5. Panel and Recessed Lights: Flat panel lights are surface-mounted, while recessed lights are built into ceilings, creating a seamless lighting layer. Both of the fixtures are energy efficient and provide an ambient look. Panel lights are mostly used for low ceilings due to their flush-mounting. Recessed lights are a good choice due to their unobtrusive appearance. These lights last up to 3.4-5.7 years. 
6. Cove and Tray Lighting: These lights are installed indirectly, tucked into architectural features, and add a soft, ambient glow. Tray lighting is a type of ceiling design that remains recessed, with the ceiling creating a tray-like design. They utilize cove lights to create a soft and indirect glow. Linear light fixtures, like LED strips, are used with the tray perimeter to direct the upward or onto the ceiling. Cove lights minimize harsh shadows, highlight architectural features, and reduce glare. It brings a touch of sophistication and elegance to the room. 
7. Floor and Table Lamps: These are freestanding options that are used in smaller spaces or as a complementary light source. They contribute to overall lighting when placed thoughtfully. The shaded floor lamps give free rein to control brightness to create a relaxing atmosphere. They are portable, which offers experiment at different locations to choose the suitable one. 
8. Wall Sconces: Wall sconces are wall-mounted, used both as a primary source or to complement other lights. They come in various sizes and designs to use in spaces like bedrooms, hallways, and living rooms. A well-lit and balanced atmosphere is created using wall sconces with overhead fixtures and task lighting. These are also used to emphasize architectural features. 

What are the Different Types of Ambient Lighting?

These are the four types of ambient lighting:

1. General Indoor Ambient Lighting: The main purpose of indoor lighting is to provide enough brightness for everyday tasks while keeping the space comfortable. It’s achieved through recessed lighting, ceiling fixtures, or track lights in homes/offices. It’s the base of any interior lighting scheme.
2. Outdoor Ambient Lighting: These fixtures are used to create a peaceful atmosphere at night for people to walk on. These lights create a comfortable and safe environment without causing glare. Widely used lights include porch lights, landscape lighting, and bollard lights for outdoor safety and aesthetics. These are also used on steps or driveways to reduce accidents. 
3. Smart Ambient Lighting: The fixtures that are controlled using any smart device or voice assistant, to create an ambient lighting effect, fall in this type. It allows users to adjust color, brightness, or even create dynamic lighting according to their needs and mood. These are energy efficient, as they are programmable to turn on/off at a specific time interval. Smart ambient lights are integrated with other home devices to automatically adjust lighting using sensors. 
4. Indirect Ambient Lighting: The light bounces off various surfaces to create soft shadows and reduce glare before illuminating a surface. It is widely used in small spaces to enhance the room space and reduce the harshness of direct light. These lights are energy efficient compared to direct light, as they utilize walls to bounce and distribute light. Cove lighting, wall sconces, undercabinet lighting, and accent lighting are examples of these fixtures.

How to Choose the Right Ambient Lighting?

Follow these five steps to choose the right ambient lighting:

1. Room Size and Layout:  Select the fixture with the proper size and lumens in accordance with the room space. Larger rooms require a central light, like a chandelier, along with recessed lights for proper illumination. Smaller-sized rooms benefit from recessed lights or flush-mounted lights. Task and accent lights are also recommended to be layered with ambient lighting to produce a balanced effect. 
2. Ceiling Height: Consider using recessed or flush-mounted lights for low ceilings, and pendant lights are good for high ceilings. 7-8 feet of height is preferred for general ambient lighting in bedrooms or living rooms to ensure a comfortable environment. In dining table areas, pendent lights are hung 30-36 inches above the tabletop. 
3. Color Temperature: Warm white fixtures with a color temperature of 2700–3000K are utilized for living spaces to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Neutral white light with 3000-4000K color temperature is used for kitchens, home offices, and bathrooms to ensure clear sight without glare. While fixtures with 4000K+ color temperature are used for workspaces for a bright atmosphere. 
4. Dimming Capability: The lights with diffused light are recommended for smooth and ambient lighting. Dimmers add an extra layer by adjusting the brightness level to suit various times of day or activities. 
5. Design Style: Prefer choosing fixture style according to your home decor. The fixture comes in various styles, whether it’s a traditional or modern style or rustic style. Geometric shapes, clean lines, and neutral colors define the ambient look. Metal and lantern-style fixtures are used to maintain a warm atmosphere. 

How to Install Ambient Lighting?

The installation of ambient lighting involves these seven steps:

1. Plan the Layout: Plan the area for lighting installation, and design a map based on room size and purpose. This makes everything clear and reduces complications. 
2. Check Wiring Needs: Assess existing wiring, in case these are usable, or plan for new connections. Measure the area of installation to finalize the wiring needs.
3. Hire an Electrician: A fixture installation needs professional hands for safe and code-compliant installation. It costs at the start, but it saves from many problems afterwards. 
4. Position Fixtures Wisely: Place the lights efficiently at proper places to ensure balanced coverage and avoid shadows. For example, pendent lights perform well when hung 30-36 inches above the tabletop.
5. Use Dimmers: Install dimmer switches to adjust ilumination levels according to mood. As it’s difficult to change all the lights to a variant brightness level.
6. Integrate Smart Controls: Prefer setting up smart switches or bulbs for remote or automated control. 
7. Test and Adjust: Always verify brightness, angle, and coverage after installation. Turn on the lights to ensure that everything is running smoothly. 

How to Maintain Ambient Lighting Fixtures?

Make sure to clean the fixtures on a daily basis for brighter and cleaner illumination. This prevents lights from fading off with time. In case of any damage, replace the burned-out bulb with a complementary wattage bulb. Check for flickering or dimming issues and replace faulty wiring to reduce the issue. Prefer weather-resistant fixtures for outdoor use, like aluminium or metal. Ensure that ceilings are not damaged or leaking, as moisture affects the wiring and performance of ambient lights.