Deciding on the perfect lighting fixtures can seem intimidating at first. We get it – you want pieces that not only illuminate the room, but also make a statement. That’s why indoor lights are so exciting, because they’re the ultimate blend between functionality and style, and that’s where you can have so much fun.
The right fixture that suits your space will transform it, set the mood, and complement the design of every room. From the soft glow of wall lights to the focused beam of a desk lamp for your office, each type of light plays a crucial role in your home’s entire ambience.
It’s as much about creating an atmosphere, a vibe, as it is lighting up a room. You want pieces that are also going to reflect your own personal style, all while maintaining that element of functionality.
So, if you’ve been feeling stuck, wondering where to place all the many types of lights out there, then you’ve found yourself in the right place.
We’re breaking down the four main types of lighting, plus we’ll walk you through the three most common indoor fixtures to help you pick the perfect ones. Let’s jump right in.
The Four Main Types of Lighting
So, here’s the deal with indoor lighting – there are four main types, each one setting their own vibe in your space.
Believe it or not, you can’t just flick on that ceiling light and call it a day if you want to make the feng shui of your home to be harmonious. Lights are the ultimate ambience creator, creating that perfect balance between cold and warm illumination in a space, and giving that lived-in feel we all know and love.
Breaking down these four types will help you understand the purpose behind them, which will help you easily enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of your space.
Here's how they differ and where to use them:
1. Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is the foundation of any lighting plan. It provides the overall illumination that makes a room, well, usable!
When you’re choosing a fixture that produces ambient light, then consider options like ceiling lights that distribute light evenly throughout the room.
The ultimate goal here is to create somewhat of a base layer of light that’s comfortable on the eyes and lets everyone easily move around the room.
2. Mood Lighting
Mood lighting is still functional, but just not as much as something like ambient lighting. As its name suggests, it’s all about setting the mood, the vibe, the energy. With mood lights, you’re trying to set the right tone and atmosphere in the room. Mood lighting is often a soft glow that adds a cosy, relaxing feel to your space.
You’ll frequently see mood lighting in spaces like living rooms and bedrooms, where you really want to enhance those laidback, serene vibes. One of our favourite ways to achieve mood lighting is through dimmable fixtures or lamps that emit a warm, subtle glow, amping up all the comforting feels.
Designer fixtures like the Faro Yellow Travertine Wall Lamp are perfect for enveloping a room in a warm embrace, inviting you to kick your feet up and feel at ease.
3. Task Lighting
Much like mood lighting, it’s all in the name with this one. Task lighting is made for when you’re doing tasks, whether that’s working at your desk, or preparing food on your kitchen bench top.
It’s a concentrated type of light that directly illuminates a single space to help you focus and accurately see what you’re doing. Your task lights should be brighter than other types of lights, since you’re trying to focus on a particular task at hand.
4. Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is really where the magic happens. Think of it like a spotlight that’s shining on all the coolest areas of your space.
That could be anything including an artwork, sculpture, collectors’ items, architectural elements, or even something like your staircase where you want to illuminate each step. Accent lights draw attention to these pieces or elements, making them a focal point in the room.
Types of indoor lighting suited for this include directional wall sconces or adjustable lamps, like our Ilona Alabaster Wall Lamp, with its subtle yet focused light, that draws attention to a beautiful painting or sculpture, adding depth and dimension to your space.
Wall Sconces
Wall sconces, also known as wall lights, add both ambience and practicality to your space. They save space as they’re usually on the smaller side, but that doesn’t mean they compromise on style.
You can find wall sconces in Australia with gorgeous, contemporary designs, some of the hottest styles at the moment being centred around natural materials. This can vary from travertine to marble, each piece individual as the natural element means no two sconces are the same.
But where do sconces look best in the home? Getting the spot right for these lighting fixtures is a bit like hanging a picture. You want them at eye level, so they’re doing their job without blinding anyone.
Think of them as little pathfinders in your hallways or as mood-setters in your living room. You could also put them above a master bed or even sitting symmetrically either side of a bathroom mirror, providing a soft, diffused light that’s both flattering and functional. And hey, if you’ve got some cool art or photos, wall sconces can give them their moment to shine, too. Here are a couple of pointers to keep in mind:
- Line your hall with sconces to light the way and keep things interesting.
- Pop a sconce on either side of the bed to balance out the room and give you the perfect reading light.
- Angle a wall light just right, and your artwork’s going to be the talk of your next get-together.
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights are the dangling jewels of the ceiling, often becoming the centrepiece in a kitchen, dining area, or over a statement-making foyer. You can think of these versatile types of indoor lighting like a statement of both style and taste.
Picture this: you've got the Alton Pendant Light, all sleek and smooth, just doing its thing above your kitchen island. It's not only there to make sure you can see where you’re chopping your veggies, but it's also a bit of a show-off, looking all stylish while it's at it. Then there's the Splendor Pendant Light – a real head-turner that makes any space a wow-factor.
When you're thinking about where to dangle these beauties, imagine them as functional art. In the kitchen, they're like a spotlight for your culinary ventures, making your island the star of the show. Over the dining table, they can dial up the ambience, making every meal feel like a special occasion. And get the hang height spot-on – around 70 to 80 centimetres from the surface – so you can see your dinner without a lampshade in the way.
Here's where you can let those pendants shine:
- Pop a pendant or two over your island to brighten up your blend-and-chop zone.
- Let a pendant hover above the dining table to make your lasagne look like a masterpiece.
- Hang one over your fave reading chair to turn flipping pages into a cosy affair.
Ceiling Lights
Ceiling lights are the mainstay of indoor lights, offering a spread of light from above that can illuminate an entire room.
The choice of ceiling light – whether a discreet flush mount like the Horizon 21 Ceiling Light or a statement piece like the Gross Pendant Light – can significantly influence the ambience of a room.
Pop one smack-dab in the centre of your lounge room or bedroom, and you've got yourself a stage that’s evenly lit and ready for life's dramas and dreams. And if you're dealing with more space, pair up your ceiling light with some sidekicks—like a snazzy lamp or a slick wall light—to banish those shady nooks and crannies.
Here’s a quick guide to nailing it with ceiling lights:
- Park that ceiling light right in the middle for an all-over light.
- Get your ceiling light to buddy up with other fixtures for a vibe that's warm, layered, and shadow-free.
The Best Indoor Lighting Fixtures in Australia
Wrapping up, we've covered the essentials of lighting up your home in style, from ambiance-boosting ceiling lights to focus-driven task lighting. We've shone a spotlight on everything you need to know about types of indoor lighting, where they shine best, and how they can change the feel of a room with just a flip of a switch.
Whether it's the practical elegance of wall sconces, the statement-making prowess of pendant lights, or the spotlighting capability of accent lamps, lighting is much more than a utility – it's a style statement.
As you mull over these lights, remember that the perfect piece isn't just about the light it gives off – it's also about how it looks when the sun's up and your lights are off. That's where designer fixtures step in to up the ante on your decor game.
So, if you're itching to give your space a little refresh or a grand makeover, have a look at our collection of designer lighting fixtures. At Hardware Concepts, we're all about those finishing touches that turn a house into a home, and we're here to help you find that perfect glow-up for your interiors.