Lighting is more than just an illumination solution, it can be a vital component of your business strategy. The right lighting can help to enhance productivity and create a compelling business environment that leaves a lasting impression on your customers.
Discover the
different types of light and understand how they can transform commercial spaces into efficient, inviting, and innovative environments. Read on to brighten your business future.
The Main Types of Lighting
Ambient(general) lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting are three main types of lighting. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination for a space and ensures a comfortable lighting environment. Accent lighting creates visual interest for the specific area making the features more attractive. Task lighting aims to provide focused lighting that enhances performance and efficiency.
Utilizing these three types of lighting strategically can create a harmonious environment that enhances productivity. Discover more below.
- Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is the foundational layer of lighting in any space, it provides uniform illumination that sets the overall tone and mood. For businesses, it creates a comfortable and welcoming environment, while in residential, it fosters a pleasant atmosphere conducive to relaxation. Unlike accent and task lighting, ambient lighting aims to provide a comfortable level of brightness without glare, shadows, and hotspots.
Effective ambient lighting can enhance employee well-being and productivity in a corporate setting. The retail environment, on the other hand, influences customer behavior by creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages longer visits. In homes, ambient lighting fills the entire space with a warm and inviting glow, suitable for relaxing activities like reading and watching TV.
Choosing the right ambient lighting can achieve cost savings and superior light quality.
Types of fixtures that can provide general ambient indoor lighting(Ensure safe and easy traffic, as well as to create an overview of the room):
Types of fixtures that provide ambient outdoor lighting (Ensure visibility and increase security around a building):
- Task Lighting
Task lighting provides targeted illumination for specific activities. Whether working, reading, or cooking, the right brightness level of task lighting can enhance productivity and prevent eye strain.
Key Considerations for Installing Task Lighting
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Brightness and Directionality: Tailored the brightness and directionality of task lighting to specific activities.
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Age and Visual Requirements: Take age and visual requirements into account. For example: the older may need brighter lighting because the vision deteriorates with age while the younger needs a more softer light to prevent eye strain.
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Positioning: Task lighting should be positioned to minimize shadowing and glare, ensuring optimal visibility without causing discomfort.
Common Task Lighting Fixtures
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Desk Lamps: Ideal for office and study environments.
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Under-Cabinet Lights: Perfect for kitchen workspaces.
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Pendant Lights: Suitable for illuminating islands or countertops.
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Track Lights: Effective for directing light towards workstations.
LED bulbs have become a preferred choice for task lighting due to their superior energy efficiency and long lifespan. They offer an optimal solution for work and study environments by emitting cool white light that closely mimics natural daylight. This quality of light enhances visibility and reduces eye strain, fostering productivity and comfort in professional settings.
- Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is an effective way to highlight architectural features, artworks, or decorative elements within any space. Strategically placing accent lighting creates focal points that draw attention to specific areas with enhanced illumination. For example, in galleries or museums, professional accent lighting contrasts with general lighting, enhancing the visual impact of the exhibits. This not only highlights the unique charm of each artwork but also directs the viewer's gaze, thus enhancing the overall viewing experience.
When used outdoors, accent lighting highlights different aspects of a building's exterior. It can also highlight specific landscaping components, a wall, signage, advertising, or entries and exits.
Types of light that provide accent lighting:
A key consideration for effective accent lighting
To ensure the visual effect, the focal point receives at least three times more than the surrounding area. This significant difference in light levels creates a dramatic contrast, directing attention precisely where you want it.
Bonus Tips: Common Types of Lamps
It's essential to know the basics before deciding which lamp types to use. Here is some information to consider when looking at the different lamp options available today.
Lamp Type |
Lumens/
Watts |
CCT (K) |
CRI |
Burning Hours |
Applications |
Incandescent |
8 to 20 |
2800 |
100 |
1,000 |
Indoor lighting settings, decorative lighting, home-based use, small commercial spaces. |
Halogen |
20 to 25 |
2800 |
100 |
Up to 1,500 |
Flood lighting, theater lighting, medium to large commercial applications, indoor lighting. |
Fluorescent |
50 to 70 |
2700, 4500, or 6500 |
60-90 |
Up to 10,000 |
Small commercial and domestic indoor applications. |
CFL |
60 to 80 |
2700, 4500, or 6500 |
60-90 |
Up to 15,000 |
Small to medium commercial and domestic indoor applications. |
Mercury-Vapor |
35 to 65 |
2500 to 4000 |
Under 80 |
Up to 24,000 |
Although this lamp is not widely used today, it can still be found in some outdoor lighting applications. |
Metal-Halide |
75 to 100 |
Above 6500 |
80-90 |
Up to 15,000 |
Overhead lighting for industrial and commercial spaces. Also used in public areas like parking lots, sports arenas, retail stores, manufacturing settings, and warehousing. Also, provides security lighting for residential spaces and is found in motor vehicle headlights. |
LED |
Up to 200 |
2700, 4500, or 6500 |
60-95 |
Up to 50,000 |
LED lights can replace previous lamps in virtually any setting, including indoor, flood, and road lighting. |
In addition to these lighting options, HPSV and LPSV lamps are available for use. These two choices are primarily used for street lighting applications.
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HPSV lights provide an excellent resource when consistent color rendering is required for safety purposes.
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With LPSV lights, there is a better option to cut through the fog so that people can see better when driving in low-light conditions.
If you still have questions about the different types of lighting,
free to reach!