Directional lighting gets a bad rep as a result of the inappropriate use of downlights as general lighting in our homes.
It creates shadowing,
Makes some areas over bright and others too dull,
Is glarey (sometimes horribly so) and
Downlights making a mess of our ceilings.
And the way it’s generally used? it certainly does all of these things.
-HOWEVER –
Directional light is a wonderfully diverse type of light, and it can be used to create a huge range of effects in the home.
When used with consideration for what you want to see, a lighting design with well placed directional light can be magic.
Directional Light Can be used to:
Highlight Artwork: Directional lighting can be used to highlight artwork or decorative features in the home, such as a painting or sculpture. By positioning the light source directly above or below the artwork, it creates a dramatic effect that draws attention to the piece.
Task Lighting: Directional lighting can also be used to provide task lighting in areas where specific activities are performed, such as in a kitchen or home office. By directing the light towards the work surface, it provides ample lighting for the task at hand.
Accent Lighting: Directional lighting can be used to create an accent in a room, highlighting a specific area or feature such as a plant or architectural detail. By positioning the light source at an angle, it creates a contrast between light and shadow that adds depth to the space.
Creating Drama: Directional lighting can be used to create a dramatic effect in a room by highlighting a specific area or object. For example, by directing light towards a textured wall or a piece of furniture, it creates an interesting play of light and shadow that adds depth and interest to the space.
Outdoor Lighting: Directional lighting can also be used to highlight outdoor features, such as a tree or outdoor seating area. By positioning the light source at the base of the feature and pointing it upwards, it creates a dramatic effect that adds visual interest to the outdoor space. We’ll talk more about how to design lighting outside with care for our environment in another post coming soon – looking at the Dark Sky guidelines for our inspiration for getting light right outdoors.
Directional lighting can be – spotlights, wall lights, floor lamps, table lamps, some pendants, spike lights in the garden, the list goes on.
Any light can can create a controlled beam of light, which can be aimed in a particular direction – through adjustment, or through luminaire design – can be considered a directional light.
Understanding the huge range of options available to create the right light is an important step to creating beautiful lighting designs.
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