Lighting is an important aspect of every home. Lighting affects our wake and sleeping cycle, health, mood, energy levels and security, therefore, it is important to choose the right lighting for your home or office. Good lighting can help to create an inviting atmosphere and it can also help to improve the design of a room as it can draw attention to certain features of the space. Firstly, the type of room being illuminated should be taken into consideration. What type of lighting is needed? For instance, if lighting a living room, a combination of ambient lighting, task lighting and accent lighting can add atmosphere and depth to the space. Ambient lighting creates even general light, task lighting provides focused directional light, such as for reading or working, while accent lighting emphasises artwork or decorative pieces in the room. The fixtures should also be chosen carefully. The fixtures should be of good quality, durable and suited for the environment. For a natural look, metal fixtures offer a modern aesthetic and for a more contemporary feel, glass and clear fixtures can be used. If you are looking to save energy then consider LED lighting which is energy efficient. LED lighting also has a longer lifespan than traditional lighting and is available in both warm and cool tones. In conclusion, when lighting your home or office, consider the: type of lighting, fixtures, shape and colour of the room as well as desired mood of the space. With careful consideration your lighting design can be both beautiful and functional.