By Aoi Sakura. Light. Sunday, January 14th 2018, 02:20:46 AM.
The most common use of up lighting is in a recessed cove around the top perimeter of a room. To maximize light output use a T5 fluorescent or LED light source that will wash the ceiling with light. This helps to create a brighter ceiling that bounces and reflects light throughout the space without glare. Combine this with lots of natural daylight to increase the overall light levels in a room.
Track lighting got a bit of a bad reputation in the 1990s but when used properly it is still functional and beautiful especially for the kitchen. Pot lights aimed straight down will add general illumination but not necessarily hit the counter. An angled ceiling light on a track can put task lighting exactly where you need it. Undercabinet lighting can also achieve a similar effect. Combining both will make task lighting in the kitchen look effortless.
Have a beautiful or shapely ceiling? Uplights will bring attention to it and indirectly bounce light back down. Plus they are often combined with a wall washer so the architecture is fully on display. Uplights can also act as wall washers when installed in the floor especially in contemporary homes. The effect of many wall washers and pot lights can be a bit modernist and even a little cold so use this effect only if you enjoy a minimalist gallery-inspired look. Ultimately when implemented correctly a great lighting scheme won’t necessarily be the first thing you notice. But layers of light coming together to bring out the best in your space will make sure that wherever your eyes do fall all they will see is a perfect photo-ready finish.