Shades should be at least as wide as the widest part of the body of the lamp

Lighting is one of the best ways to add drama to a room. Many lighting installations are best done when a home is built, but since most of us already live in finished spaces, we need to consider lighting projects that can be easily added to a room.

Ceiling fixtures

All types of ceiling fixtures provide excellent general room illumination.

Pendants can be used to add more light to specific areas like a kitchen table or work surface. A chandelier or pendant light having a wattage of 200-400 watts provides abundant illumination for a dining room. Both should be installed no more than 30 inches from the ceiling to allow for headroom when standing. Their diameter should be 12 inches less than the width of the table.

Ceiling fixtures or recessed lighting will offer the needed light for stairs. Use a ceiling mount fixture for general lighting in the foyer.

For a different mood, you could replace the ceiling fixture with down-lights or track lighting that can be directed at walls, artwork or straight down ? a solution to a dark foyer to add drama to a dining room or for overall lighting in a home office.

Wall-mounted lights

Wall fixtures are used for illuminating a specific area such as a hallway or a bathroom vanity. While traditional wall fixtures with “arms” remain the most popular forms of wall lighting, more contemporary wall sconces are gaining popularity, especially for hallway or accent lighting.

For reading in bed, use two matching wall mounted or pendant fixtures installed 30 inches above the mattress.

Recessed lighting

Recessed light fixtures are used for down-lighting ? a good way to make living areas look attractive and inviting. These work best with other lighting and should be dimmable for special effects. They can be used for concentrated down-lighting, especially for lighting a kitchen counter or bathroom vanity as they confine illumination to one specific area.

A room can be made to appear larger with them by “washing” a wall in light. The technique works particularly well in small living areas as it adds visual depth by creating shadows and contrasts.

Up-lighting

Up-lights are inexpensive fixtures that need only a plug-in. Available in metal cans or as small adjustable halogen fixtures, these may be set on the floor behind a plant, on top of a cabinet or behind furniture to throw a pool of light on a wall. Be cautious if you have children or pets that might interfere with the fixtures or bulbs.

Under-cabinet lights

They are used mainly in kitchens, home offices and work areas. An electrician should be able to install many fixtures in the kitchen that work on one main switch. Or install one or two and use its built-in switches.

Bookshelf lights

There are several options for bringing light to dark bookcases. Choose from under-cabinet fixtures, strip lighting, down-lighting and small lamps placed on shelves. Depending on your choice, you will probably need to drill a few holes in the back of the bookcase so that the cables can be routed to the nearest wall outlet.

Picture lights

Wonderful artwork deserves to be specially lit, especially if it is the room’s focal point.

Table lamps

Lamps are essential home-decorating accessories. The style and finish of a lamp is as important as the wallpaper, carpet or paint used in a room. Accent lamps can be used in bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, entrances and any spot that may need extra lighting.

Because such lights are generally less than 20 inches high, they provide just the right amount of accent lighting. Table lamps usually reach up anywhere between 25 and 32 inches. Lamps are generally 12 to 20 inches high and are used to light a specific work area.

Floor lamps are useful in dark areas that regular lighting may not reach. When table space is limited, floor lamps are a good alternative.

Bathroom lighting

In bathrooms, it is important to provide adequate light around the vanity and mirror.

A light above the mirror to illuminate downward is recommended. Lights on both sides of the mirror can reduce shadows on the face. Use a ceiling fixture for overall illumination.

Lampshades

The height of the shade should equal the measurement taken from the base of the lamp to the bottom of the bulb socket. However, some newer styles of lamps and accent lamps do not always follow this rule.

The lampshade should be at least as wide as the widest point of the lamp body. At eye level, the bottom of the shade should cover the bottom of the socket.

Shade sizes are expressed in three dimensions. The first represents the top diameter, the second the bottom diameter and the third the shade’s height.

Shades can be made of almost any material, but the most common are silk, cotton, linen, plastic, vinyl and paper.

The author is a senior faculty member at J.D. Birla Institute (Calcutta), where she has been delivering lectures, guiding research and conducting projects in housing and interior design for over 20 years. An interior design consultant, she specialises in ergonomics at home and work. She can be contacted at kusumsmail@yahoo.com