* Natural light can only enter a room in you home if you want it to! Sounds basic however it is a good starting point to achieving the lighting effects you are after!



* The size of the window will have a marked effect on how you light a room during the day, obviously the larger the window the more natural light will enter! The aspect, the direction the window faces, will also have a profound effect on the different amounts of light.

* South facing windows will let in the most bright natural light, whereas north facing rooms can be quite dark and need artificial lighting even during the day.

* Ambient lighting creates a much softer and calmer look which is ideal for lounges and bedrooms as well as creating warm and inviting atmospheres for dinning rooms, hallways and bathrooms.

Kitchens

* Kitchens are quite often illuminated by fluorescent strip lights, however it has been proven that these can have a detrimental affect on your health, causing headaches and feelings of nausea. As such many modern kitchens have ousted this style of lighting and opt for halogen spot lights and under counter lighting to produce sufficient, directed light to where it is needed most. In a way this style of lighting creates its own ambient lighting in a practical way.

* Hallways

This part of your home needs to a balance between practical and ambient. Practicality is an essential aspect simply so that you can see your way in and out of your home safely! Once inside softer lighting can be created by either having wall lights or a a table lamps placed on a table or shelf.

* Bathrooms

Practical needs to be given consideration as people need to have a good light source for shaving! Generally this can be achieved by spotlighting or having a specially designed shaving light on an angled style bracket. For relaxation candles are still popular, however the latest designs styles include wall lights placed either side of a mirror. These can be in any style which suit's the room's interior design style and theme.

* Dining rooms

Once again this room needs to have different lights to suit different occasions. Family meals with children should be well lit without be too bright! Meals for friends or romantic evenings require much more subdued lighting effects. These can be achieved by using wall lights, floor lamps and/or table lamps placed on dressers and of course a romantic dinner requires candles!

* Bedrooms

Plenty of light is needed for dressing areas with bedside table lamps to create soft ambient lighting for relaxing and practicality!

* Lounges

This is the room which comes into its own when creating beautiful lighting effects. Do away with the central lighting and use wall lights and an array of table lamps. The size of the lamps will depend on how much light you want and the size of the room. A couple, or more, of small table lamps are a ideal for creating ambient lighting to suit the size and style of your home.