Lighting plays an important role in architecture and interior design. It functionally brightens spaces, highlights features, focuses attention, and improves safety. Lighting is also a powerful tool for shaping, decorating and adjusting the mood of a environment. Its implications in terms of ambience, style and atmosphere are crucial and often overlooked. Proper lighting can mean the difference between a space that feels cramped and dull and one that is vibrant and inviting. With the use of different techniques and fixtures, a variety of effects can be achieved. Natural lighting, task lighting, accent lighting and mood lighting are all important considerations when attempting to create an ideal space. Natural lighting is important for creating a connection to the natural world. Sunlight illuminates a room beautifully, fills it with warmth, and brings in textures and colors. Proper window placement and treatment can ensure that a room is sufficiently lit while preventing blinding glare. Skylights can also bring natural light into inaccessible areas. Task lighting is focused directed light used to improve task visibility. It is most often found in the kitchen, bathroom, and in offices or study spaces. Task lights should be adjusted so that top of the head is brighter than the bottom of the workspace (ie a comfortable work lighting level is achieved). Accent lighting is used to highlight and show off features that often go unnoticed. Wall art, plants, sculptures and other items can all be wonderful focal points when lit correctly. Mood lighting is used to alter the atmosphere. Dimmer switches can be used to control the amount of light in a space, allowing for subtle adjustments that can create an entirely different atmosphere. Colored lights can be used to further adjust the ambience and create a particular atmosphere. In conclusion, lighting is an essential element of architecture and interior design. It is a multi-faceted tool that can be used to improve visibility, highlight focal points, and create atmosphere. With careful planning and consideration, the correct use of natural, task, accent and mood lighting will bring any interior to life.