Lighting

Having the correct lighting is essential for creating the right atmosphere in your home. It's what'll make those late-night dinners for two perfectly romantic. Or guarantee that the Friday family fun is always a cosy and warm event.  

With the right lamps, and the correct placement, you can create the perfect feeling for every moment. And whichever type of lamp you are after, our wide range of lighting solutions are sure to brighten up your day. 

The different lights everyone needs

There are different kinds of lighting that should do specific jobs in your home. There’s general lighting, task lighting, accent lighting, and mood lighting. And all of them should be, at least partially, represented in each room. As a rule of thumb, that makes it out to about five to seven light sources per room. Read on to learn more about the different kinds of lighting and what you need them for.

General lighting for general purposes

General lighting, or ambient lighting, is a central light source used to illuminate an area in a uniform way. It's the basic light that allows you to navigate a room. You can think of general lighting as your typical ceiling lamp in the kitchen or living room. Most commonly, you get the best general lighting from larger pendants or longer spotlights or ceiling tracks, as you want to make sure the entire room can be lit up evenly.

Task lighting for your everyday activities

Task lighting is a bright, focused light that is dedicated to increasing your visibility for certain tasks. The purpose is to illuminate a specific spot or a general work area. For example, a reading lamp by your bed is task lighting that should properly light the pages in your book. The same goes for lighting the countertop in the kitchen; you need bright, focused lighting to see well.

Accent lighting to highlight the details

Accent lighting, or highlighting, illuminates and draws your attention to specific objects. Most commonly a painting, a bookcase, or a beloved interior detail. You simply put up spotlights where you desire, and direct them towards the object you want to highlight. This is a great way to play with both light and shadows. Relying too heavily on central lighting is likely to make your room look bland. But by using spotlights and accent lighting, you add both life and balance to your room.

Mood lighting to relax and enjoy

Mood lighting is lighting used to create a desired atmosphere in a room. It can be a cosy, soft light that makes you want to curl up on your sofa with a blanket and never leave. Or it could be colored lights that give your room a sense of romance or mystery. Here, you can be a bit more creative, but mood lighting is typically achieved with dimmable lamps, candle holders, and decorative lighting such as lighting chains. 

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Get 20% off all floor lamps

*Offer valid 11/6-11/26/24. U.S. only while supplies last. Must provide or sign-in with IKEA Family member number or IKEA Business Network account. Some light bulbs sold separately. Price as marked. Products require assembly. Other restrictions may apply. See store or IKEA-USA.com for more details. ©Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2024.

Get 20% off VARMBLIXT pendant lamp

*Offer valid 10/30-11/26/24. Valid in U.S. only in-store, online and via phone. While supplies last. Must provide or sign-in with IKEA Family member number or IKEA Business Network account in order to receive offer. Some items such as light bulbs, hubs, and remote control, as applicable, are sold separately. Products require assembly. Price as marked. Other restrictions may apply. See store or IKEA-USA.com for more details. ©Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2024.