1. Ambient Lighting (General Lighting):
   • Provides overall illumination for a room or space, creating a comfortable level of brightness without glare.
   • Examples: Ceiling fixtures, recessed lighting, chandeliers, or track lighting.
   • Best Use: Living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.
2. Task Lighting:
   • Designed for specific activities that require focused light, such as reading, cooking, or working.
   • Examples: Desk lamps, under-cabinet lights, pendant lights over a kitchen island.
   • Best Use: Home offices, kitchens, and reading nooks.
3. Accent Lighting:
   • Adds drama and highlights architectural features, artwork, or plants to enhance the aesthetics of a room.
   • Examples: Wall sconces, picture lights, spotlights, or track lighting directed at a specific object.
   • Best Use: Living rooms, hallways, and entryways.
4. Decorative Lighting:
   • Lighting that adds visual appeal while also serving a functional purpose. It often acts as a statement piece.
   • Examples: Chandeliers, pendant lights, or unique fixtures.
   • Best Use: Dining rooms, foyers, and above kitchen islands.
5. Outdoor Lighting:
   • Provides illumination for outdoor spaces and enhances security and safety. It also adds ambiance to patios, gardens, and walkways.
   • Examples: Floodlights, pathway lights, deck lighting, and wall-mounted sconces.
   • Best Use: Patios, driveways, walkways, and gardens.
6. Smart Lighting Systems:
   • Controlled via smartphone apps, voice assistants (like Alexa or Google Home), or automated timers and sensors.
   • Features include dimming, color changing, and scheduling to optimize energy use and convenience.
   • Best Use: Whole-home integration for convenience and energy savings.

• Recessed Lights (Downlights):
  • Installed into the ceiling for a clean, modern look.
  • Suitable for low-ceiling rooms or for providing general lighting in a minimalist design.
• Pendant Lights:
  • Hanging fixtures that provide focused lighting and act as a design element.
  • Ideal for kitchen islands, dining areas, or as a statement piece in entryways.
• Chandeliers:
  • Ornate fixtures designed to add elegance and sophistication.
  • Best for dining rooms, living rooms, or foyers with high ceilings.
• Track Lighting:
  • Adjustable lights mounted on a linear track, often used to highlight specific areas or objects.
  • Flexible for task or accent lighting in kitchens, offices, or galleries.
• Wall Sconces:
  • Mounted on walls for either ambient or accent lighting, providing soft illumination.
  • Great for hallways, bathrooms, or as reading lights by the bed.

1. LED (Light Emitting Diode):
   • Energy-efficient, long-lasting, and available in a variety of colours and brightness levels.
   • Ideal for energy-saving solutions and can be used in nearly any fixture type.
2. Incandescent Bulbs:
   • Traditional lighting technology, known for warm light but not energy efficient compared to LED.
   • Starting to be phased out due to high energy consumption.
3. Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs):
   • More efficient than incandescent bulbs, but slower to reach full brightness and contain small amounts of mercury.
   • Often used for general lighting.
4. Halogen Bulbs:
   • A type of incandescent bulb that is more energy-efficient and produces brighter, whiter light.
   • Common in task and accent lighting, but they emit more heat.

• Energy Efficiency:
  • Opt for energy-saving LED bulbs to reduce electricity costs and minimize environmental impact.
  • Smart lighting systems can further enhance energy efficiency by allowing users to set timers, dim lights, or control them remotely.
• Lighting Controls:
  • Use dimmer switches, motion sensors, and timers to control lighting levels and enhance energy savings.
  • Smart lighting systems provide automation and control from mobile devices or through voice commands.
• Light Temperature and Colour:
  • Warm light (2700K-3000K) is best for living rooms, bedrooms, and areas where you want a cozy atmosphere.
  • Cool light (4000K-5000K) is suitable for task areas like kitchens, offices, and bathrooms to enhance focus and visibility.
• Lighting Layout:
  • Consider the placement of lighting fixtures to avoid dark spots or harsh glare.
  • Layering lighting—using ambient, task, and accent lighting together—creates a balanced and well-lit space.
• Safety and Security:
  • Ensure outdoor areas such as driveways, entryways, and walkways are well-lit to enhance safety and security.
  • Motion-sensor lights provide additional security by illuminating when movement is detected.

Residential lighting systems go beyond basic illumination by combining function with aesthetics, energy efficiency, and convenience. With options ranging from ambient lighting to smart systems, homeowners can create comfortable, well-lit environments that cater to their needs and lifestyles. Proper planning and fixture selection can also reduce energy consumption and improve the overall ambience of a home.