Light can:

• Alter color
• Highlight a focus object
• Define areas with different levels of light
• Help us to see texture, scale and form by grouping lights

 Shadows can:

• Help create effects
• Help define three-dimensional size
• Be affected by direction of light
• Create a relaxing atmosphere if the shadow is soft

Many factors need to be considered when choosing lighting for a space. Some important factors to consider are the situation/function, quantity and quality, décor and atmosphere or mood.

• Situation/Function: What goes on in the space such as work, circulation, sleep area, studying
• Quantity and Quality: Footcandles, brightness or softness of light
• Décor: Keep lighting an important part of design decisions because the lighting used can dramatically affect how colors and textures are seen
• Atmosphere or Mood: Such as in restaurants when you want to create a romantic mood or a playful mood, that can change depending on the type of lighting used.

When thinking about social spaces versus work spaces you must consider the amount of light, the color of light, the distribution of light and the areas of emphasis.

Social:

• Amount of light: Low levels
• Color of light: Warm (incandescent)
• Distribution of light: Intimate
• Areas of emphasis: Occupied areas and perimeter lighting

Work:

• Amount of light: High levels
• Color of light: Cool (fluorescent)
• Distribution of light: Spacious feeling, uniform
• Areas of emphasis: On the ceiling, desk or wall

Light is usually considered to be in one of three categories: task, accent/focal or ambient.

• Task lighting: Lighting for work environments or areas such as a desk, workstation, craft area, reading in a chair, etc.
• Accent/focal lighting: For highlighting important objects, such as art work or other objects on a wall, or for creating interest and shadow in a space by adding extra lighting such as a sconce or floor fixture
• Ambient lighting: Lighting an entire space with general lighting

Examples of the type of lighting that should be used in different rooms:

• Kitchen: Under-cabinet lighting for preparing meals, pendants over islands
• Living Room: Ceiling-mounted fixtures create ambient light, floor fixtures create accent or task lighting
• Dining Room: Pendants over the table for ambient and task lighting, track lighting can be used to highlight artwork
• Bath: Sconces on the side of a mirror create light without glare, recessed fixtures over tub or shower

Lighting can be used in several different ways to create different effects on the space you are designing. Some of these ways include highlighting, wall-washing, up-lighting, down-lighting, backlighting and grazing.

•  Highlighting: Uses our attraction to the brightest object in the room, creates drama and contrast
• Low voltage lighting that uses a small beam to focus on an object such as track lighting
• Light needs to be from above and in front unless you want to create shadows
• Wall-washing: Used to light a wall with a uniform sheet of light which unifies the objects on the wall
• Grazing: Placing light very close to a wall to enhance the texture on the wall
• Used for stone or brick walls
• Also works well on walls with specially textured wallcovering
• Up-lighting: Often used in landscape lighting for shadow play
• Backlighting: Lighting through a translucent material from behind such as stained glass, fabric or textured glass
• Down-lighting: Lights horizontal surfaces such as desks, floors, etc.
• Usually recessed fixtures
• Good for task lighting, it is best not to put these lights directly above where people will be sitting

Green living doesn't have to be complicated; below are some simple tips to help you live more sustainably.

1. Conserve energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Star rating, and by adding timers and automated thermostats to control usage. Also, consider switching to fluorescent light bulbs and adding more natural lighting with additional windows or skylights.
2. Repair leaky fixtures and install low-flow showerheads and faucets.
3. Use water-based paints, finishes and sealants. Some milk-based paints are available, also.
4. Look for wall coverings that are made of paper or natural fiber, rather than synthetic materials, and printed with natural inks.
5. Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins, such as pesticides or chemical cleaners.
6. Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo or linoleum.
7. Select solid woods, when possible, for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic.
8. Reuse materials, such as brick, stone, glass, tile or metal, in new and interesting ways. Old wood also can be safely treated and used for accents.
9. Consider the “lifecycle” of furnishings and accessories before purchasing: Are they made of materials that can be reused or recycled when the item eventually wears out or is not longer needed?
10. Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers whose contents could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.
11. Install lights with sensors that turn on when they detect movement and automatically turn off after a few minutes.
12. Do not let the water run when brushing your teeth or washing your face.
13. If every household in the US replaced 1 roll of 1000 sheet bathroom tissues with 100% recyclable rolls, we could save 373,000 trees, 1.48 million cubic feet of landfill space, and 155 million gallons of water.
14. Scrape – don’t rinse! When using a dishwasher, pre-rinsing is no longer necessary with today’s technology and detergents. You may be using more water to pre-rinse than the dishwasher uses for a full wash cycle.
15. Check your refrigerator’s seal by closing the door with a lit flashlight inside. If you see light seeping out, the door should be adjusted or the seal replaced to stop energy leaks.
16. Buy locally produced products and materials whenever possible to reduce additional energy use and pollution associated with transportation.
17. Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable.
18. Look for reclaimed wood products salvaged from older structures and certified wood harvested from sustainably managed forests.