Modern homeowners are no longer satisfied with a single-bulb fixture in the center of the room. Lighting has become a more significant part of interior design, and many beautiful lighting options make creating stunning lighting designs achievable. But, in order to do this, a well-lit room needs to have the right layers of lighting.

Getting the lighting design right is both an art and a science. The art lies in the beauty of the lighting and how it makes people feel when they enter a room. The science is in getting the layers and the functionality of the lighting in the room. That’s where the three layers of light and light levels come in when choosing recessed lighting.

Ambient lighting is the base layer and the most easily understood layer since it provides the main lighting in a room. But to truly elevate the lighting design, this base layer should be built upon with task and accent lighting. Modern recessed lighting can be used for all three layers with the right design considerations in mind.

Recessed Lights for Ambient Lighting

Also called general lighting, ambient lighting is the most fundamental of the lighting layers. It includes light fixtures and natural light sources. Ambient lighting fixtures include chandeliers, pendant lights, ceiling fan lights, and more.

Recessed ceiling lighting can be a great addition to ambient lighting as they direct light downward, brighten the room, and complement natural light sources. Also, keep in mind how far recessed lights should be from the wall.

Geos 1 Light LED Flush Mount by dweLED

Above there is plenty of natural lighting streaming through the windows, supported by ceiling recessed lights. Updated in a stylish titanium finish to complement the current interior trends, the Geos 1 Light LED Flush Mount by dweLED floats an inch from the ceiling, offering plenty of light without shadows or hot spots.

Supernova 36 Inch LED Linear Suspension Light by Kuzco Lighting

This kitchen is light and bright, with a natural light source filling the space behind it and flowing into it. Recessed lighting directs more downlight into the stairwell and complements the lighting over the kitchen island shed by the stunning Supernova 36 Inch LED Linear Suspension Light by Kuzco Lighting. Together these lights create a warm and inviting feel in this open kitchen.

Recessed Lights for Task Lighting

Once the ambient lighting is established, the next thing to consider is how the space will be used. Task lighting is exactly what it sounds like: lighting for any tasks performed in a room. It is ideal for work areas such as kitchen prep zones, tables, and desks. Recessed lighting can be a supremely functional option, as it throws light downward onto the workspace that needs illumination.

Pivot 28 Inch 6 Light LED Chandelier by Progress Lighting

In this kitchen, a trio of Pivot 28 Inch 6 Light LED Chandeliers by Progress Lighting provides ambient lighting over the kitchen island. Intrinsic 7 Inch LED Recessed Lighting Trim by Progress Lighting spaced along the prep area offers plenty of illumination for prepping and cooking food. The Progress Lighting Geodesic 27 Inch LED Cage Pendant lights the dining section of the room, putting the finishing touches on the lighting design in this open concept space.

Honeycomb 24 Inch LED Linear Suspension Light by Kuzco Lighting

This pair of Honeycomb 24 Inch LED Linear Suspension Lights by Kuzco Lighting brings a vintage but modern feel to this stunning kitchen by shedding light downward through die-cast clear glassware. Polished chrome metal details complete the classic look. Recessed lighting ensures that shadows don’t fall over the food prep areas.

Alpha 62 Inch LED Linear Suspension Light by Kuzco Lighting

The clean, crisp, minimal design of the Alpha 62 Inch LED Linear Suspension Light by Kuzco Lighting is augmented by the modern recessed lights behind it. This lighting combination enhances the elegantly simple look of the kitchen, letting the stunning blue cabinets take the spotlight. This demonstrates how balanced lighting creates a design that is more than the sum of its parts.

Recessed Lighting for Accent Lighting

The most often overlooked layer, accent lighting, completes a lighting design, taking it from good to great. Installed along the edges of a room, modern recessed lighting with dimmers offers downlighting to create a mood in the space. They can also be installed to highlight special architectural features or artwork in a room.

Mercer 20 Inch Large Pendant by Crystorama

There’s no doubt that the Mercer 20 Inch Large Pendant by Crystorama takes center stage in this gorgeous bathroom. While it draws all eyes, the recessed lighting around the perimeter of the bathroom chases the shadows away in this area where most people begin the process of getting ready for their day. And when put on dimmers, the recessed lighting can help enhance the mood for relaxing at the end of a busy day.

Edgelit 5 Inch LED Recessed Lighting Trim by Progress Lighting

Whether in daylight or at night, Edgelit 5 Inch LED Recessed Lighting Trim by Progress Lighting brings attention to the gorgeous artwork in this living room. In an elegantly simple room, recessed lighting sheds just the right amount of light without taking attention off the artwork and other design features in the room. This is an ideal option for minimalist design.