Accent Lighting Techniques

Lighting can be categorized into ambient or general lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Ambient lighting is generally used to illuminate a particular area. Task lighting is used to provide illumination to working areas or spaces like for cooking, reading, or doing your favorite hobby. Then we have accent lighting, which caters to the decorative aspect of the lighting plan. Accent lighting highlights specific areas or objects in a room worthy of accentuating.

Accent lighting allows one to highlight an artwork, a plant, a statue, a uniquely textured wall, or anything one wants to emphasize in a room. One should picture in his mind the final effect desired, and work on this by choosing the appropriate brightness level, color of the light, angle of beam, location of source, and the light fixture it comes with.

Different techniques in accent lighting can be applied.

Moonlighting
This requires placing the lights on a high level usually done with recessed lighting in the ceiling. Soft incandescent reflector bulbs are made use of - shining light over plants, which create beautiful patterns on the floor.

Grazing
This is usually utilized to bring out the distinct and interesting texture of a wall. Placed around 3 inches away from the wall and depending on the wall dimension - could be employed in a series pattern.

Silhouetting
Light is placed at the back of the item and beamed straight up to accentuate the outline or frame of the item.

Shadowing
This is done by placing light inside the plant just behind the trunk and beaming the light upwards, creating fascinating patterns onto a wall or the ceiling.

Spotlighting
To highlight a focal point in a room or make an object, statue or plant stand out, the spotlighting method is employed. Spotlighting should be used sparingly to maintain a consistent focal point in one area.

Common accent lighting fixtures include track lights, under-cabinet lights, sconces, and more. The combination of these is entirely a matter of preference, and of choice with the desired accent lighting effect in mind.

One can also consider the use of LEDs, which produces very little heat during operation. These are very flexible for use in various accent lighting applications, durable, and energy efficient.

With accent lighting, you are sure to complete your lighting needs together with ambient lighting and task lighting. All three types should be made to work together to bring out the desired lighting effects. Accent lighting definitely provides for the decorative facet of the lighting scale, and it is one you should not do without.