Lighting is an important part of interior design that can accessorize and add beauty to a room. Lighting has both functional and decorative purposes. When designing a lighting plan, general illumination from ceiling fixtures is addressed first to provide the foundation. Task lighting is then added to focus light on specific activities. Finally, specialty and decorative lighting are selected to highlight features, create drama, and set the mood. Lighting choices may be limited by ceiling height, design scheme, outlet locations, and home style.

1. THE GEMS OF INTERIOR DESIGN by Robin Lechner Designs robin@robinlechnerdesigns.com
I like to layer my creations whether it’s a fashion ensemble or
an interior design scheme, and I look at lighting as jewelry
that accessorizes a room. You see, lighting has decorative as
well as functional purposes. After assessing the general needs
of a space, I focus on addressing secondary lighting for mood
and atmosphere, adding specialty pieces. Lighting should be
more than just adequate. It should add beauty and elegance
to a room.
Since most rooms perform a variety of functions, they need a
variety of fixtures. Choices may be limited by the height of
your ceiling, your design scheme, location of outlets, and the
style of your home.
Just like putting together a fashionable outfit
where jewelry and accessories are selected
last, before selecting a room’s “jewelry”, it’s
important to determine the space’s function
by first considering the results you need to
achieve room by room.
General Illumination is always addressed first. It is the foundation from
which the layering of your lighting plan is built. The most common
example is the ceiling fixture located in the middle of a room, or lighting
recessed in the ceiling in a grid or specific pattern. Fixtures can be flush
mounted, recessed, monorail (track), or hanging.
Task Lighting reinforces general illumination. Its purpose is to
focus light in a specific direction to illuminate activities. They are
used in kitchens for food preparation, in living rooms, bedrooms,
and any room for reading, and bathrooms for shaving or putting
on make-up. Although task lighting is deemed utilitarian, fixtures
can be very decorative, and enhance a room’s overall decor.
Specialty Lighting consists of accent pieces that are used to
highlight, provide drama and effect. Wall mounted sconces fall
into this category.
Decorative Lighting creates the mood and
atmosphere of a room as well as adding
beauty and comfort. The character of a
fixture’s design, shape and size can make or
break an entire decorative scheme. Table
lamps offer the greatest flexibility.