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Ambient lighting ideas to soften any room

Have you ever walked into a room and felt that it was too bright, or harshly lit? Not only is ambient lighting important for bringing light to an entire room, it is also a key part of shaping a cozy atmosphere and mood. Think of it like a warm welcome when you walk into a space, whether for family time, social gatherings, or relaxing in the evenings. Read on for ambient lighting ideas to spark your imagination and light up your life. 

What Is Ambient Lighting 

Also called general lighting, ambient light is the overall brightness created by light sources throughout a room. While you might have a single overhead light that diffuses throughout a space, you can also consider using a variety of light sources to create an even more interesting and inviting atmosphere. 

Ambient Lighting Ideas for a Cozy Aesthetic

Overhead lights 

When it comes to setting a foundational layer of light in a room, overhead lights are the kings of the castle – and there are so many options to choose from! Finding the right fixture depends on a number of factors, from ceiling height to how much drama you want to create. 

Chandeliers

Often called the jewelry of a room, a lovely chandelier placed in the center of your ceiling creates a wonderful visual focal point, whether it is over a dining room table, in a living room, or even in a bedroom with a high ceiling. Whether your chandelier is ornate and elaborate or modern and chic, it serves as an opportunity to accent the interior design of the room. Chandeliers can be installed with a dimmer switch to allow you to turn up or turn down the brightness, depending on the mood you want to set.

Flush and Semi-Flush Mount Lighting

If your ceiling height is a bit too low for a chandelier, you can opt for a flush mount light, so called because it is mounted flush against the ceiling. These come in a variety of finishes, including bronze, nickel, black, or even more decorative colors, and often include a glass globe. A semi-flush light is another option, with a fixture that drops down a few inches from the ceiling. Choose a simple, sleek semi-flush for a modern look, or a more embellished and ornamental semi-flush that will serve as a statement piece while still allowing plenty of headspace. 

Recessed Lighting

You can also select lighting that is cut into your ceiling so its fixtures are nearly invisible, producing light that is cast downward and spreads throughout the room. Sometimes these are placed across the ceiling in an evenly spaced grid, at other times they are installed in the corners of a large room, to work in conjunction with a chandelier, flush or semi-flush fixtures. These are typically LED lights that cast a cooler color of light, so using recessed lighting along with other light sources is a good idea if you want the room to have a cozy vibe.

Wall-Mounted Fixtures

Once your ceiling light choices are made, consider adding to the ambiance with wall-mounted fixtures such as wall sconces. These are perfectly placed on either side of a bed’s headboard, along a hallway, or flanking a bathroom mirror – or on the walls of a living or dining room to bring more light to large spaces. Some sconces give off light in all directions, while others are designed to project light upward, which can give a room a more spacious and open feel while doubling as beautiful pieces of art. 

Floor and Table Lamps

Floor lamps are versatile because they can be positioned almost anywhere, requiring only a small footprint of floor space. You might put them in a cozy reading corner or along a gallery wall to highlight beloved artwork. One of our favorite spots for a floor lamp, if you have space, is behind a sofa. By moving your sofa away from the wall and putting a floor lamp behind it, you create a sense of depth in the room as well as giving yourself a perfect place to curl up with a good book. 

These are high-traffic areas, intended for hellos, goodbyes, and quick stops on the way to other things. Just because people spend less time in these spaces, however, doesn’t mean you can’t elevate their atmosphere.

Consider flush mount or semi-flush mount fixtures to provide general illumination for grabbing umbrellas, finding keys, and taking off and putting on jackets. Complement that functionality with wall sconces or an accent lamp to highlight architectural features, artwork, or steps.

LED Strip Lights 

For rooms that already have a lot going on in terms of design and decor, it may be best to add ambient light in a way that is understated but still effective. Low wattage or dimmable LED strip lighting is a great solution, because it creates a beautiful glow without adding clutter. You can place it strategically to shine on a particular design feature or artwork, or if you want it to add to the overall ambient lighting you can line your ceiling with it to create a bit of drama and brighten the whole room. It can even be installed into baseboards to cast a beautiful directional glow up the walls.   

Fun Accent Lights

Another popular choice today is using string lights indoors, to give ambient light and set a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. These can be draped along ceilings with or without beams, with multiple strings hung back and forth in a straight line, lattice, or zigzag pattern. They can also be used to frame windows or accent art, bookcases, or other design features that you want to highlight. Electric candle lights are also a delightful addition on dining tables for intimate dinners, on mantels, or in bathrooms to bring a spa-like feel to the ambient lighting scheme.  

Ambient Lighting Outdoors

Don’t think for a moment that ambient lighting is only important indoors! You might think of lanterns first and foremost as being well-suited to provide safety and security to your front yard, driveway, and pathways, and they are perfect for these uses. But the right lanterns – whether modern, rustic, or even gothic in style – will create ambient lighting outdoors, brightening up front porches or patios with a warm and charming glow. 

Layering Ambient and Other Lighting

When thinking about the overall lighting plan for your room, and how other lighting will work along with the ambient light, consider using the interior design technique called “layering.” 

Interior designers plan for lighting in three categories: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting gives the space its overall character, task lighting brings focused brightness for reading or working, and accent lights cooperate with the others to produce subtle or dramatic effects and highlight key features in the room. Using all three types of lighting together is called layering because it is achieved by positioning lights at various heights to create a layered, balanced, and harmonious effect. 

For example, layering light in a living room is first about creating the right atmosphere for socializing and relaxing through ceiling fixtures. Task lighting may consist of track lighting or spotlights that direct brightness toward reading or work areas of the living room, while accent lighting is made up of wall sconces, table lamps or floor lamps with a warmer color bulb, many of which can be adjusted for brightness or dimness.

Color and Ambient Lighting

One final thing to consider when planning ambient lighting is the color of the light itself. Light comes in different color temperatures, which are measured in kelvin degrees – ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 kelvins. The lower ranges produce warmer light, with hues that range from red, orange, and yellow to warm white. Warm light has been shown to promote relaxation, while cool lighting (similar to bright daylight) is stimulating and tells us that it’s time to be active. Many lightbulbs are available in a range of colors. For a choice that is more soothing on the eyes and creates a cozy atmosphere, start by looking for a warm white bulb, around 2,700–3,000 kelvins. If you’re going for a clean, modern look then choose a cool white bulb of 4,000 kelvins or more.

FAQs

What function does ambient lighting provide to a space?

Ambient lighting provides general overall lighting for a room, and is best accomplished when it feels warm and inviting rather than overly bright or harsh.

Is ambient lighting only produced from ceiling lights?

 

It typically starts with ceiling lights, whether they be chandeliers, pendants, flush or semi-flush mounts or recessed lighting, but then it is enhanced and developed through the strategic use of wall sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps.

Where should ambient lighting be placed?

 

Ambient lighting should be placed throughout a room in a way that brings uniform light to the whole space, and creates the atmosphere you are hoping to shape in the space. 

We’re Here to Help with Your Lighting Needs

No matter what sort of space you’re lighting, here at Visual Comfort we are pleased to bring you options that will help set the right mood through ambient lighting. Visit visualcomfort.com to start exploring ways to make your space as cozy and welcoming as you want it to be!