GENERAL LIGHTING TERMS

Accent Lighting
ADA Compliant
ALA
Ambient Lighting
Architectural Fixture
Decorative Lighting
Diffusion
Reflectance
Sconce
Task Lighting
Uplight
Wall Lighting

Accent Lighting: The local and directional light used to highlight and dramatize artwork, plants, collectibles and special possessions, as well as architectural features and furnishings. See our article on Accent Lighting for tips.

ADA Compliant: Meets requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA compliant fixtures must be used in public circulation areas of commercial and institutional buildings (when mounted below 80" from the floor). To classify as ADA compliant, a wall fixture must extend no more than 4" from the wall.

ALA: Acronym for the American Lighting Association, the trade organization representing lighting designers, manufacturers, and retailers.

Ambient Lighting: "General" lighting that provides overall illumination for atmosphere, safety, security, and the performance of simple activities. Ambient lighting also provides background brightness that reduces excessive contrast from localized task or accent lighting. See our article on Ambient Lighting for tips.

Architectural Fixture: Refers to built-in fixtures in a residence or building, like recessed lighting in the ceiling or strip lights in a cove.

Decorative Lighting: Lighting that is designed to be a focal point, adding a festive sparkle and appealing glow to a room to enhance décor. Functional lighting can also be decorative.

Diffusion: Tinted and gently textured materials (i.e. cloth shades and specialty glass) Diffusion softens light by spreading it out, making it more comfortable.

Reflectance: The quality of surfaces that determines how much light is reflected. Reflectance is shown as a percentage. A black painted surface, for example,  reflects less than 5% of the light striking it, whereas white paint reflects up to 90%.

Sconce: A wall-mounted light fixture. See "How to Use Wall Sconces" for tips!

Task Lighting: Provides the higher level of localized light needed for specific visual activities, such as reading, hobbies, workshop repairs, sewing, grooming, and food preparation. See our article on Task Lighting for tips.

Uplight: An open top wall fixture with opaque side throws that lights up to the ceiling. There is some brightness on the wall above the fixture, but most of the light is indirect in character.

Wall Lighting: Light directed onto vertical surfaces, that has the ability to make a room seem larger. Also sometimes called "wall washing," this technique can help bring textures to life or illuminate a group of paintings.