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Lighting may not be something you think about much. We have come to trust it will be there with a simple flip of a switch and at a moment's notice. However, lighting can do more than just illuminate a room; it can solidify your home's design.

The Kyoto 3-Light Chandelier from Cherry Tree Design blends form, function and art. It provides ambient lighting and sets the tone for this room's design. Photo courtesy of American Lighting Association

There are three key components to creating a lighting design, according to experts at the American Lighting Association (ALA), a trade association representing the lighting industry.

General lighting provides a space with overall illumination. It should radiate a comfortable level of brightness, enabling one to see and walk about safely.

Task lighting helps you perform specific jobs, such as reading, cooking, homework or hobbies. It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting and lamps.

The ALA advises you select task lighting that is free of distracting glare and shadows. In addition, it should be bright enough to prevent eyestrain.

Accent lighting adds drama by creating visual interest. It should be used as an element of your decorating plan -- to highlight paintings, sculptures, a fireplace or other objects of interest. Accent lighting requires at least three times as much light on the focal point as the general lighting around it. 

How much light is right?
To ensure that you have enough light in a space, you can incorporate general lighting in a number of stylish ways: chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures and recessed or track lights.

"Ineffective lighting in a room may create dark or shadowed areas, causing the eyes to strain to see the contents of the room," says Brant McManigle, sales manager for Filament Lighting in St. Louis Park. However, there is also such a thing as an over-lit room. McManigle says, "Too much lighting may decrease the amount of depth within a room, which causes the contents of the room to blend together."

Light living

This room is washed in a variety of lighting fixtures by Savoy House available from Lee Lighting. The design includes general, task and decorative accent lighting. Photo courtesy of Savoy House

When creating a lighting design for your living room, you'll want to include general illumination, task lighting for reading or homework and accent lighting to draw attention to decorative items of interest. "With a fireplace, you might want to do some spotlights to highlight the fireplace or the texture of it," Tucker says. "The other option is if you are going to actually decorate the fireplace with lighting, you might put sconces on either side of a painting."

If you have recessed lighting and enjoy watching television, Tucker suggests putting those lights on a dimmer. "That allows you to dim those down and gives you some background lighting."

Dining light
"Chandeliers make a statement when hung over a dining table," says Ann Fleagle, owner of All About Lights in Chanhassen. "The size of the room, the height of the ceiling, the size and shape of the table should all be taken into consideration when determining the correct size of fixture needed."

Another fixture to consider for the dining room is a pair of recessed cans on either side of the chandelier, adding the extra light when needed.

"A dimmer is a must in a dining area, so the atmosphere can be adjusted to the event being staged," Fleagle says. "An intimate dinner with friends requires a lower level of light than game night with the family. A dimmer can help provide the appropriate lighting for both. Dimmers also extend the life of light bulbs and lower your energy usage," she adds.

Culinary delight
Once upon a time, the kitchen was a utilitarian place to prepare food. Today, it has become the nerve center of the home where family and friends gather to catch up and socialize. When putting together a lighting design, you'll need to factor in functionality with comfort.

"A lot of times we are taking out fluorescent lighting," says Mary Tucker, ALA certified lighting designer with Lamps Plus. "We are doing a lot of can lights, and we use that as general background lighting." She suggests placing recessed cans around the room at strategic points and using halogens. "It renders colors true," she adds.

Beyond general lighting, you will want additional task lighting over the sink and cooktop. Undercabinet lighting is ideal for prepping food and can be aesthetically pleasing.

Geanie Vaughan with Savoy House Lighting says many customers are getting creative and having fun, particularly when choosing task lighting. "People are using more of the whimsical mini-chandeliers as apposed to three little pendant lights or trestle lights," she says.

		Chandeliers add sparkle and style while providing general light. They are used in bedrooms, dining rooms, foyers or over a living room grouping.
		Pendants provide both task and general lighting. Equipped with shades or globes to avoid glare, they are suspended from the ceiling.
		Wall-Mounted Fixtures can furnish general, task and accent lighting. Many are designed to match and supplement dining room chandeliers, or to provide hallway, bedroom or living room lighting.
		Portable Lamps deliver general, task and accent lighting, while giving you the flexibility to move the light. Table lamps, floor lamps and torchiers are available in a variety of styles.
		Track Lighting can provide general, task or accent lighting all at once in one flexible lighting system. You can move, swivel, rotate and aim the individual fixtures, giving you the versatility to change the lighting scheme.
		Recessed Lighting provides general, task or accent lighting inconspicuously. Installed in the ceiling, recessed fixtures can be used anywhere.
		Undercabinet/Undershelf Fixtures offer task and accent lighting. Under kitchen cabinets, they light a countertop. In a display cabinet, they show off prized possessions.
Photos courtesy of Lamps Plus

Editorial Resources

All About Lights, 2965 Water Tower Place, Chanhassen, MN 55317, (952) 368-7288, www.allaboutlights-mn.com. American Lighting Association, P.O. Box 420288, Dallas, TX 75342-0288, (800) 605-4448, www.americanlightingassoc.com. Eurofase Inc., 33 W. Beaver Creek Road, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4B 1L8, (800) 660-5391, www.eurofase.com. Filament Lighting, 5007 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416, (952) 926-5007, www.filamentlighting.com. Lamps Plus, (800) 782-1967, www.lampsplus.com. Savoy House Lighting, 625 Braselton Pkwy., Braselton, GA 30517, (800) 801- 1621, www.savoyhouse.com.

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