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The Best Ambiance Lights for Your Home

Corey Majeau

Are you ready to make the finishing touches on your newly-decorated home and you’re not sure how to approach the lights situation? We get it, there are so many light fixture options out there, it’s okay not to be sure what you need. We’re here to help with that and help you choose the best ambiance lights for your needs.

1. Philips Hue Go White and Color Portable Dimmable LED – Editor's Choice

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  • Price range: $80 – $90
  • Type: table lamp
  • Wattage: 6 watts

2. Philips Hue Bluetooth Gradient Ambiance Smart Lightstrip

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  • Price range: $150 – $200
  • Type: lightstrip
  • Wattage: 20 watts

3. Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance Light Fixture

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  • Price range: $150 – $200
  • Type: sconce
  • Wattage: 8 watts

4. Shine Decor LED RGB Strip Lights

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  • Price range: $200 – $300
  • Type: strip lights
  • Type: strip lights

5. Cadrim Smart Light Bars

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  • Price range: $30 – $40
  • Type: light bars
  • Wattage: 5 watts

6. Philips Hue Discover Floodlight

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  • Price range: $150 – $200
  • Type: floodlight
  • Wattage: 30 watts

7. Banord String Lights

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  • Price range: $70 – $80
  • Type: string lights
  • Wattage: 1 watt per bulb

8. ZUUKOO LIGHT Smart LED Light Bar

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  • Price range: $40 – $50
  • Type: light bars
  • Wattage: 10 watts

Best Ambiance Lights

1. Philips Hue Go White and Color Portable Dimmable LED – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Price range: $80 – $90
  • Type: table lamp
  • Wattage: 6 watts

Pros

  • 16 million lights.
  • Bluetooth-enabled LED.
  • Can be placed on any leveled surface.

Cons

  • Casing feels like cheap plastic.

When it comes to ambiance lighting, Phillips is a champion. This nice little table lamp is equipped with an LED bulb with 6 watts of light power, designed to set the mood without wires getting in the way. You can choose between a variety of different light colors to set the tone for everything from movie night to a romantic evening.

With the candle setting, the light should give you about 18 hours of runtime. You can connect it to your smartphone using the designated app and control the light’s settings from a distance.

2. Philips Hue Bluetooth Gradient Ambiance Smart Lightstrip – Runner up

Highlights

  • Price range: $150 – $200
  • Type: lightstrip
  • Wattage: 20 watts

Pros

  • Very easy to install.
  • Highly flexible.
  • Can be cut to customize the size.

Cons

  • If you take them down, it ruins the back adhesive.

Light strips are the perfect choice for people who don’t want a powerful light but also don’t want to sit around in the dark. Whether you install them under kitchen cabinets, on the edges of your gaming desk, or along the edges of your living room TV, strip lights like these can set the tone for whatever it is you feel like doing tonight.

The Phillips LED lights are amongst the best ones on the market. This one is a kit that includes a 6-foot strip with a self-adhesive backing that will stick to any dry surface, regardless of what it’s made from. You can connect it to your phone using the official Phillips smart home app but it also works with Google Home or Apple Homekit.

3. Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance Light Fixture – Best for outdoor use

Highlights

  • Price range: $150 – $200
  • Type: sconce
  • Wattage: 8 watts

Pros

  • Weather-resistant.
  • Smartphone integrations.
  • Adjustable color and brightness.

Cons

  • Not bright at all.

If you want a good outdoor ambiance light without skimping on quality, here is another Philips light for you. Each of the two sharply symmetrical beams of light that go in an upward and downward direction can be customized to one of 16 million different hues, in addition to the full range of white tones.

Put the appropriate smart light exactly where you want it for increased security, ambiance, or to showcase seasonal decorations. The fixture is constructed out of high-grade material that is resistant to the elements. There is a warranty of two years and the smart light has a lifespan of up to 25,000 hours.

4. Shine Decor LED RGB Strip Lights – Best for large spaces

Highlights

  • Price range: $200 – $300
  • Type: strip lights
  • Type: strip lights

Pros

  • Waterproof, suitable for outdoor use.
  • Remote control included.
  • Can cover large areas.

Cons

  • 150 feet is a lot to install.

If you want a strip light but a 6-foot one won’t cut it, how about one that measures 150 feet? The Shine Decor strip light is excellent for covering very large interiors and sets the tone with its beautiful light colors. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, this RBG LED strip can be cut down to size if you don’t need the entire length.

Used for both commercial and residential settings, these lights are made with quality materials, 4 lighting modes, and 14 colors to choose from. It has an IP65 waterproof rating and comes with remote control.

5. Cadrim Smart Light Bars – Budget pick

Highlights

  • Price range: $30 – $40
  • Type: light bars
  • Wattage: 5 watts

Pros

  • Can be synced with the TV.
  • Smartphone app control.
  • Can be placed anywhere.

Cons

  • Not bright enough.

Short on cash and looking for a cool ambiance light solution? Cadrim seems to have just what you need. These are light bars that can be synchronized with your TV to create light effects following the sound coming from the TV.

They have a built-in microphone to pick up the sound coming from the TV and change the lights accordingly. They are controlled using a smartphone app. Thanks to their mounts, they can be placed anywhere you want. They can also be used as night lights because they allow you to change the color and brightness.

6. Philips Hue Discover Floodlight – Best for patios and garages

Highlights

  • Price range: $150 – $200
  • Type: floodlight
  • Wattage: 30 watts

Pros

  • Smartphone app control.
  • 16 million colors.
  • Resistant to the elements.

Cons

  • Lights could be brighter.

Highly adjustable and easy to install, the Philips Hue Discover is another very convenient choice for outdoor use. It features IP44 protection and be installed on a variety of different walls, as long as you can connect it to your home’s wiring system.

After installation, the Discover Floodlight is very simple to adjust so that you may direct the light exactly where you need it, whether it be for increased security, general lighting, or accent decorations for the upcoming holidays. This outdoor floodlight is simple to install, making it a convenient option for a variety of lighting applications.

7. Banord String Lights – Best string lights

Highlights

  • Price range: $70 – $80
  • Type: string lights
  • Wattage: 1 watt per bulb

Pros

  • Compatible with dimmer switch.
  • Safe plastic casing.
  • Waterproof.

Cons

  • Dimmer is not included.

When your patio is all ready for pleasant outdoor gaming nights, string lights like these are bound to set the tone for a more pleasant evening. Equipped with 35 1-watt bulbs, these lights are warm and inviting, calling out for romantic dinners or cocktails with friends. They are waterproof and weather resistant.

While the lights are compatible with a dimmer switch, there isn’t one included with your purchase, so you’ll have to buy it separately. The string is 102 feet in length but you have the option to buy a shorter one (50-foot long).

8. ZUUKOO LIGHT Smart LED Light Bar – Best multimedia lights

Highlights

  • Price range: $40 – $50
  • Type: light bars
  • Wattage: 10 watts

Pros

  • Great for entertainment and gaming.
  • Smartphone app control.
  • Multiple light effects.

Cons

  • Colors are more vivid in the pictures.

The ZUUKOO LIGHT LED lamp, which contains an integrated microphone with high sensitivity, can react and move in time to the beat of your favorite tunes, movie, or game audio, providing you with an unparalleled sound and light experience that is unparalleled in any other.

You can avoid having to manually adjust your lighting by using the Happylighting software, which will make your operations much more convenient and will speed them up. Choose from a variety of preset dynamic modes to generate the ambiance that you require.

Explore the experience of fully immersing yourself in the worlds you play in thanks to the many colors and light effects that are displayed in each dynamic mode.

What Is Ambiance Light?

Also referred to as general light or ambient light, ambiance lighting encompasses all lighting fixtures placed throughout a space to create a base layer of lighting. 

An example of ambient light would be a flush-mount fixture or a chandelier hung from the ceiling in the center of the room. This type of light illuminates the entire space.

In addition, smaller light sources, such as table lamps and floor lamps, are examples of ambient light sources that contribute to the overall amount of light. Because of this, ambient light is a fundamental source of lighting that is diffuse rather than concentrated.

You might want to read this: Bedroom Ideas to Calm Your Space

What Is Ambiance Light For?

Light is essential for homes and workplaces alike. The leading producers of commercial lighting think that a good lighting arrangement will incorporate a variety of different lighting layouts. 

One of these well-liked kinds of lighting, known as ambient lighting, is frequently utilized in commercial settings and serves the purpose of maintaining adequate illumination.

The practice of evenly illuminating a specific space is referred to as ambient lighting. Because it is the initial layer of lighting and establishes the mood for a space, ambient lighting is often subdued and can be dimmed to accommodate both daytime and nighttime situations. 

To ensure that people can see clearly in corridors and on stairs, it is essential to have adequate ambient or general illumination. 

According to the findings of several studies, the lighting conditions in space have the potential to have a major impact on the psychological and physiological behavior of individuals. 

The use of appropriate ambient lighting, often known as cooler light, helps to create an environment that is conducive to productivity by providing comfortable illumination levels that are free of glare.

Glare reduction ensures that you will be able to function in the surroundings without experiencing any discomfort, like eye strain, migraines, or headaches.

Where to Use Ambiance Light

You can use ambiance light anywhere as this has both home and commercial applications. Ambiance light is found everywhere, from patios to bedrooms and from pubs to office buildings. 

In bars, restaurants, and bedrooms, the level of ambient light is often reduced to create a sense of coziness and depth in the space as well as to encourage customers to relax. In addition, when customers feel at ease, they are more likely to stay for longer, which results in them spending more money overall.

Types of Ambiance Light

When it comes to choosing ambiance light or modern lighting ideas, you have to luxury to select between many different options. 

• Wall Sconces

There are two variations of these modern electric wall lamps to choose from. If you go to the store, you will be able to find both a plug-in and a direct-wire option. You are free to select exactly where on your wall you would like the installation to take place.

Choose the up-lighting option if you want to illuminate the entirety of the space; alternatively, select the down-lighting option without any hesitance if you want to illuminate particular parts of the room.

On the other hand, direct-wire sconces do not have any visible wires, and they are hardwired to be permanently connected to the electrical system in your home. To complete the task, you are going to need the assistance of an electrician. 

Some wall sconces called direct-wire sconces can use the wall switch that is already installed in your room. You can control it in the same manner that you operate the other lights and ceiling fans in your home by turning it on or off.

Consequently, some wall sconces already have a switch affixed to them when they are purchased. You are free to utilize it on your own. In that situation, you ought to purchase the item that corresponds both to your financial plan and the requirements that you have.

• Chandeliers

These ambient lightings function most effectively in spaces with higher ceilings. This gives off an air of sophistication and elegance, and it will unquestionably raise the overall attractiveness of the room. 

Chandeliers are a statement on their own because of their intricate designs. That means that your dining room looks amazing even when the lights are turned off. 

You might want to check this out: Best Bedroom Chandeliers

• Pendants

Pendants, much like chandeliers, are a fashionable option for people who want to decorate their area in a highly beautiful style and are looking for ways to do it. In addition to painting the walls and using the most recent technology, installing pendants is an excellent choice for enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your location.

Whether you want to illuminate the entire room or just a specific area, you may place it at whichever height you see appropriate. These lighting fixtures are extremely adjustable and user-friendly, and they will not fall short of meeting your expectations in any way.

• Track Lights

This overhead lighting resembles a track that is comprised of many lights that are connected in a single line and are mounted on the ceiling. These lights will not be extremely bright, and you can target a specific area in the room with them.

• Recessed Lights

If you’re looking for soothing lights, recessed might be the way to go. Because they are fixed on the ceiling, they don’t occupy much room space, making them suitable for smaller rooms. Besides, you’ll have one less dust magnet in the house. 

• Lamps

Lamps come with their own “feet” and can be placed on a leveled surface. You have floor and table lamps to choose from. Pick a floor lamp and place it next to your reading chair or at the end of the sofa for cozy focused light diffusion. 

Place the table lamp so that the bottom of the shade is at about the same height as your eyes. This will give you the most pleasant and restful experience possible.

 If you raise the shade more, the increased brightness of the light may strain your eyes. Therefore, the best course of action is to keep it in a low setting so that the light can concentrate on the table and any particular items there.

You might be interested: Best Floor Lamps for Your Bedroom

What to Look for in Ambiance Lighting

When you want to pick ambiance lights for your home, there are a few aspects to keep in mind that will make the difference between products that are right or wrong for you.

Placement

To determine what ambiance lights to choose, assess the room when it’s dark. You should look around the room and make a mental note of the places that require more emphasis after turning off as many of the lights as you can while still maintaining visibility. 

Upon selecting the location for the ambient lighting, maintaining a sense of balance is essential. If you only illuminate one side of a large room, the space will appear off-kilter. On the other hand, if you try to brighten every part of the space, you can end up making it too bright, which is not the kind of atmosphere you are going for.

When using this kind of lighting, the ideal method to establish balance is to illuminate a particular region, most often at the front of the room, and then position a table lamp in the far rear corner of the space.

Intensity

When putting in a new light, it is important not to forget to select the appropriate wattage for the bulb. This is something that will be determined by the purpose of the lighting fixture you have. 

If the light fixture is intended to be the primary source of illumination, then you will likely require a higher power bulb. However, there is no need to utilize glaring lights to generate warmth and a little individuality, particularly to provide subtle accent lighting.

You also have the option of selecting between a warm or a cold light to go with your fixture. Yellow light has a warmer appearance, but blue light has a colder appearance. The color temperature of the light fixture will need to be adjusted per the effect that you want to create.

The process of producing the ideal ambient lighting may be extremely technical and complicated, and several things to take into consideration when developing an effective plan. 

Despite this, once completed, it unquestionably has the potential to transform the boring appearance of space into one that is more striking by imbuing it with some individuality.

Design

Ambient light is, after all, part of the room’s decor, so you want to pick fixtures that match the overall design theme. Interior designers recommend choosing pieces that compliment the furniture and the existing decor. 

The majority of rooms benefit most from subtle lighting fixtures. The most successful lamps are those with neutral tones and tints that fit with the color scheme of the interior decor. 

When compared to lighter color shades, darker ones are superior in their ability to filter out excess light, making them an excellent choice for creating the impression of lower lighting.

Dimming

You’re going to want lighting that can be dimmed to accommodate the fact that the atmosphere in your location during the day is probably going to be very different from the ambiance in the evening. 

In the End

There are three primary types of lighting: task lighting, accent lighting, and ambient lighting. Keep in mind that every area needs a blend of these types of lighting to construct an effective lighting system. The process of picking lighting for your home is not always as straightforward as it would appear at first glance. 

While certain locations need all three types of lighting to achieve the desired effect of carefully layered illumination, others need only one or two types of illumination. You might have the ability to select from a wider range of options depending on the specifics of your individual needs or preferences.

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