Though it is one of the most essential parts of a room, lighting can be one of the trickiest.  It is all to easy to pick a light too bright, too dark, too focused, or too general.  To make the decision easier, you must consider the different types of light.

The three types of lighting that are used in the home are task, ambient, and accent.

Task lighting lights the way while you cook, read, sew, etc. This can be a desk lamp, a bedside sconce for reading, or a pendant light hanging over a kitchen worksurface.

Photo: Cottage Living

Ambient lighting is the general lighting cast over a room from an overhead light or chandlier.  You will find ambient lighting in every room of the house, from a closet to the dining room.

Photo: Southern Living

Photo: Sunset Magazine

Accent lighting is the pretty light that sets the mood in a room. It adds drama and glitter, though is not necessarily meant to serve a utilitarian purpose.

One, two, or all three types of light can be utilized in one room, however it is necessary to figure out which ones you absolutely need in your room so that it will be adequately lit.

Here’s a before and after which shows the dramatic difference that lighting and finishes can make in the warmth and mood of a room. Enjoy!

This kitchen started out drab and dated.  The stark white of the ceiling contrasts too much with the yellow of the walls and draws attention to the short cabinets.  The lighting is too typical.

This kitchen became an entirely new room with several major changes.  The cabinets were replaced with a dark finish and taken all the way to the ceiling, adding major drama and height.  The boring tile countertops were replaced with luxurious granite. A furniture-like island in the middle makes the room seem cozy and provides a great workspace.  Recessed lighting, a neutral color that mimics the walls, and simple light fixtures create a warm light.

Another great detail is the slate landing before the front door; it’s beautiful and practical as is stands up to the traffic of coming and going far better than hardwood.

With the autumn officially upon us, it’s time to turn to the outdoors for enjoying everything from a lazy Sunday afternoon with a book to a Friday evening dinner party.  We’ve collected some of our favorite outdoor rooms that all keep a rustic, earthy vibe in mind.  These rooms feature stone hearths, beautiful neutral color combinations with pops of color, and deep woods that will keep the rooms in constant use from the first nice day of spring through those first cold days of fall when you’re bundled up and gathered around the fireplace.

From: House Beautiful

A great geometric rug provides an interesting contrast against the organic look of wood and stone.

Photo: Southern Accents

A large chandelier is completely unexpected in an outdoor room.

Photo: Southern Accents

Photo: House Beautiful

Classic outdoor pieces like wicker chairs are made modern in dark, dark brown finishes, and ceiling fans both keep us cool on those hot July days and prevent insects from bugging us too much.  Wood beam ceilings are another rustic touch.

Color can transform and brighten a room from a blank, dark space into a cheerful retreat.  In this lake house, the before and after photos drive this point home.  The house had great bones with nice detailing in the moldings and built-ins, however it needed something bright to give it personality and a sense of joy.

In the bedroom, a calming neutral provides the perfect backdrop for the classic yet energetic pink and green fabrics.  The drapery draws the eye upwards and makes the ceiling seem higher, while the window covering and seat cushion in the built-in makes the view out the windows pop.  With the pink and green floral and stripes, this room has completely rid itself of its bland beginnings and become a place where one has to be in a happy mood.

The deep red, dark drapery and large chandelier were dragging the dining room down and creating a heavy atmosphere.  While taking out a chandelier in a dining room may not seem to be the tradition choice, it lightens the room and makes the rustic farmhouse table the focus.  The removal of the drapery and the deep robin’s egg blue give the room a youthful, fresh look.  The four pots of grass are an unexpected touch to the table setting.