The Magic of Indirect Light: How to Enchant Your Interior

If you’re looking at an image of a space that inspires you, there’s a likelihood that the lighting is working hard to elevate the room with such subtlety that you might not even notice it at all. 

By creating layers of light, highlighting architectural features, and accentuating texture and colour, strong lighting design makes good use of indirect light. 

Indirect light means the light that you are seeing has been reflected from a surface that is not the light itself. 

One example is the classic up/down pillar light on the wall. This fitting will wash the wall surface with a glow, providing ambient light without glare to your eyes. If that wall surface is textured, a wash of light will also give life to that texture, catching the highlights and shadows that bring dimension. 

A recessed downlight is a simple, easy, and common means of lighting a room, but you may choose to place an uplighting pendant or wall sconce that makes the ceiling glow, or outline the perimeter of the ceiling with upwards facing LED strips. The indirect nature of the light illuminating the ceiling gives a softness and elegance, creating a space with unmatched serenity and ambience. 

What next?

Layering that indirect light with pendants, wall sconces, ceiling lights, and lamps is the next step in creating a sense of quiet, calm, luxury. The indirect light sources highlighting your architecture are a foundation you can build upon to create layers of lighting in the room. Layers bring depth and functionality – use all or some layers to shift the feel and purpose of the space.

Looking to bring the magic of indirect lighting to your space? Explore our curated range of styles below to help you achieve the dream or book a design consultation with our knowledgeable and helpful team.

Below, top left to bottom right:

Kana Rectangular Chandelier, Zuerco Wall Light

Percy Pendant, Odeon Wall Light

Copa Wall Light, Fleur Wall Light