Lighting Catalog - Lighting Design by Creating Pools of Light & Shade

Arranging light so that a series of overlapping pools of light and shade are created adds atmosphere to a room and draws the eye to focal points. Conversely, shadows created between light pools reveal form and texture of objects that cannot be achieved if light is flooded onto a surface.

Light and shadow actually go hand in hand. In fact, it is shadow, rather than light, that reveals the form and texture of objects.

When an object is lit from the front, it is subject to a “flattening” effect; if the same object is lit from the side, areas of shadow will help to define its basic form. The eye is naturally drawn to light, a tendency that can be used in interior design to direct the focus and traffic patterns in a room. By creating different focal points with light, a feeling of progression or movement can be created in some areas of the space, while circles of light can draw people toward those areas. The fixture shown in the image to the right is part of the Firenze Collection from Hinkley Lighting.