Any space should have a range of different types of lighting, not just a runway track of spotlights or a single central light.  Dispense with that single central light – they are very unflattering and are never very practical. 

In the home, you should think about all of the following types of lights:

In most settings though, you will want to create a warm and inviting space with pools of light illuminating specific areas.  A combination of table and floor lamps are perfect ways of creating mood light. 

Table lamps create a pool of light that casts light both up towards the ceiling and downwards depending on the light you choose.  

They are both mood enhancing as well as functional as they can be used to read by or just sit and chat with friends.  Table lamps work well in bedrooms as well as more public spaces.  A too bright light in your bedroom before you go to sleep can affect your ability to sleep.

Ideally mood lights should be dimmable and on a separate switch to other lighting.     

Tasks lights can be combined with mood lights. The key to this type of lighting is planning.

What are the needs of a room for specific lighting and how can you swap from a bright task light to a mood light?  Your electrician can put separate switches in for task and other lighting, so you can decide which to use. 

Decorative lights

Some lighting is purely for decoration or to highlight artwork or architectural features.  You may have an item or feature that you want to be specially lit or you may just use some concealed lighting under shelving or on the stairs to create added interest.

Planning your lighting

Before you do any work in your space you must first decide on the type of lighting you want. Having decided that, then the next step is how you want to control it and from where.

Draw up a plan of the ceiling, wall, floor and table lights you are going to have in your space and then think about which you want to turn on and when.  An example for a living room might be as follows :-

Task Lighting – Down lighters controlled by a single switch, but dimmable so you could use them to add some low level background lighting.

Table & Floor Lamps – Controlled by a single switch so that you can turn them all on without having to visit each one. This may or may or may not need to be dimmable depending on the lamps you have chosen. Talk to your electrician first.

Decorative light – Again controlled by a single switch to draw attention to a specific item e.g. decorative plaster work or a piece of art.

One thing to avoid is having a separate switch for every light in a room. This can be very confusing for guests or when you sell your property. When we moved into our apartment we had one panel with 16 separate light switches on it. For years we spend time fiddling about until eventually we simplified everything.

You may also want to consider the entrances into a space to determine if you need to be able to switch on the lighting from each entrance.

All of this planning is vital as new lighting and switching can require new cables to be run behind the walls or under the floor. So get this dirty work done before you start painting and decorating. Changing the wiring later can be very frustrating and expensive.