What Is Task Lighting?

If you want your home to look its best while also being functional, then you'll want to consider a wide range of aspects. That includes everything from the furniture you pick out to the type of flooring and paint colors you choose, not to mention making sure you have good lighting in every room. Theo Richardson, the director of development at the Brooklyn-based design studio Rich Brilliant Willing, told The New York Times, "Light is a powerful thing. The right light lifts the mood, inspires productivity, and motivates us. At home, light enlivens the little things — our morning routines, or the moments we spend with friends."

When it comes to achieving the perfect lighting for a specific space, you'll first and perhaps foremost want to avoid inadequate lighting, Stephanie Brick, the owner of Baltimore's Stephanie Brick Design, explained to The Washington Post. Bad lighting can make your rooms look dire while also potentially causing issues for your eyes, so you'll definitely want to rule out anything that doesn't do the space justice. Brick suggests you think about the layout of your room, where the furniture has been placed, and how people move through the space while considering how it might need to be lit.

On top of that, you'll need to make sure the lighting suits whatever you'll be doing in each room, which brings us to task lighting.

While all kinds of lighting options are meant to brighten up a space, task lighting is meant to be used in a more direct way. Indeed, the purpose of this illumination is to provide the lighting you need to accomplish whatever tasks you do in a particular place. Just like other forms of lighting, task lighting is a key factor when it comes to fully utilizing your home.

"Proper lighting is important because it makes you more productive by maximizing the activity you can do in that certain space," interior designer Cai Lim Regala told The Manila Times. "Lighting also has the ability to highlight an item, a wall, or pathway, it can be directly or indirectly applied. You can use it as a task light, directional, or general lighting. Lighting can create depth, illusions, and importance. Truly it is the magic ingredient."

If you're curious about the various kinds of task lighting, think table lamps and desk lamps that can offer light for when you're reading or working, per Lowe's. There are also wall sconces, not to mention pendant lights that can shine on specific spots where you indulge in your hobbies, put on your makeup, or prepare your cooking. You can also opt for adjustable and magnifying task lights which can definitely be useful in certain circumstances. That is, if you know how to properly use task lighting.

Task lighting will make it easier to accomplish your endeavors; however, in order to do so, you need to use it in certain ways. For instance, you'll want to make sure the lighting you choose is nice, bright, and direct so that it gives you the kind of illumination you need, per Lowe's. On the other hand, you should aim to use a light that doesn't cast a glare or blast a beam of brightness into your eyes.

As Beacon Lighting explains, you also need to position your task light in the right spot in order for it to be effective. Try placing your task lighting beside the area where you'll be engaged as opposed to directly in front of it so that it doesn't become a nuisance. Specifically, if you tend to use your right hand, place the light on the left side so that it's close by and yet out of your way. This will also prevent it from throwing shadows in your direction. Beyond that, making sure the light aims down will focus its beam while also preventing it from casting it into your eyes.

You might also find that it helps to play with the placement of your task lighting by trying out different spots and various arrangements. This will help you figure out what works best for your particular home and individual needs.