Lighting is an important factor for both our vision and our safety in our home or workspace. It is also often overlooked as an essential part of proper design. Proper lighting gives our home and office a certain atmosphere and enhances both production and comfort. From regular lamps and chandeliers to wall sconces and downlights, different types of lighting offer different levels of brightness and shade, for the different purposes of the space. For example, downlights over a kitchen counter provide a brighter, direct lighting which is good for performing tasks, while reading a book in bed calls for a soft, indirect or diffused lighting. When deciding what type of lighting to use in a certain setting, also consider energy efficiency and sustainability. LED lights, for instance, consume up to 80 percent less energy than traditional halogen bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. You can also choose natural lighting with skylights, large windows, open doors and sunlight tubes. These are cost effective, and serve as an energy-saving measure while bringing in natural light. Using color and texture in lighting design is another great way to create a specific atmosphere. Color temperature, from cool blue tones to warm yellow tones, can be used to create different types of moods and vibes. Texture such as chandeliers and lampshades can also add a layer of style to any space. Ultimately, lighting plays an important role in our home or working environments. It can be functional and decorative, energy efficient and cost effective. As such, it needs careful selecting and planning to achieve the intended outcome.