Ambient Lighting vs Task Lighting: What's the difference?
When it comes to lighting up a space, there are many options available. However, two popular choices are ambient lighting and task lighting. While both types of lighting can brighten up a room, they each serve a different purpose.
What is Ambient Lighting?
Ambient lighting is a type of lighting that creates a soft, diffused glow throughout an entire room. It's usually installed as overhead lighting or wall-mounted fixtures, and it's meant to provide overall illumination for a space.
The most common types of light bulbs used for ambient lighting are LED lights or fluorescent lights. The color temperature of these bulbs is typically between 2700K-6500K, which creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
What is Task Lighting?
Task lighting, on the other hand, is more focused lighting that's meant to light up a specific area where a task is performed. This type of lighting is usually brighter than ambient lighting and is used for activities such as reading, cooking, or working on a computer.
Some examples of task lighting include table lamps, desk lamps, or under-cabinet lighting. These lights often use halogen, fluorescent, or LED bulbs, and they typically have a cooler color temperature, usually between 3500K-5000K.
Advantages of Ambient Lighting
- Creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere
- Provides general lighting for a space
- Easy to install and maintain
- Reduces the risk of eye strain and fatigue
Advantages of Task Lighting
- Provides focused lighting for specific tasks
- Increases productivity and reduces eye strain
- Can be adjusted to suit individual needs
- Saves energy by not lighting up the entire room
Which one should you choose?
The choice between ambient lighting vs task lighting depends on the intended use of a space. For rooms like living areas, bedrooms, or dining rooms, where a warm atmosphere is desirable, ambient lighting is the go-to choice.
On the other hand, task lighting is the better option for areas like kitchens, study rooms, or workspaces where focused and bright illumination is essential for tasks.
However, since both lighting options have their advantages, you can also incorporate both into one space by installing dimmer switches, using different light sources in various parts of the room or even combination light fixtures. It will make your space more versatile and help you adapt it to different times of day and usage scenarios.
References
- Living Lighting: Ambient vs Task Lighting - What’s the Difference?
- Home Lighting Design Guide: Ambient Lighting
- Home Lighting Design Guide: Task Lighting