With the variety of lighting types offered in its showrooms, Stewart Lighting understands what it takes to pull off proper lighting in a room. Most people are not always aware of what techniques are at work because it is a room feature that most take for granted. Often, a lot of thought has gone into creating the mood and ambiance of a room with lighting. Here are some things to think about when designing the light in your space.
Functional Lighting
This is the kind of lighting that ensures you can see all of the furniture when it is nighttime and otherwise dark in the room. Most people think of it as functional because it makes the difference between light and darkness. Usually, it is the fixtures and lamps that you would use to generate about 75 percent of the lighting in the room. Sometimes called ambient lighting, this feature may require fixtures hanging from the ceiling or built into ceiling fans. Think of it as the light that you see when you turn on the main light switch.

Task Lighting
No matter how well you have planned your functional lighting, there may always be a need for more small lighting to assist with tasks that you may perform in a room, like reading. In a bathroom, task lighting helps you see the toothpaste while you brush your teeth. In a family den, lamps and task lights help you read a newspaper or see the setting buttons on a remote control. You want this lighting to see as natural and seamless as possible. For example, the lighting should be controllable from where you are sitting and not require you to get up and walk across the room.

Accent Lighting
This kind of lighting is almost unnoticeable unless you are looking up at the ceiling or in the spaces that are more decorative than functional. Accent lights may be shining on the wooden ceiling beams or up from the floor to draw attention to plants. The thing to remember is it enhances the decor and is not necessary to see in the room.

Your choices should always have a mix of all three of these lighting types. Any controls and switches that you want to incorporate should also be part of the lighting plan. It is important to keep even lighting by choosing matching bulb colors. The ambiance you create will be irresistible.