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Light gives dynamicness to building and its surroundings. It plays a great role inside the various functional spaces of building as well as outside the building. In day, outside the building the light gives dynamicness to building with the help of different shadows of projections on its facades. Sometimes different elements of landscape create obstructions on the path of the light use to provide dramatic interest to man. In night time when a man approaches a building then light of building or lights on its facades speak how it is going to welcome home. When someone approaches to a building to meet someone and if there is no light then even man doesn’t try to push the call-bell and if there is even a small light, he may hope to get a chance to meet him. Generally light is used to make an object as a focal point for public like in the case of art galleries, museums, exhibitions, etc.

Light plays a very powerful role in the case of dancing floors, bars, auditoriums, night clubs etc. Apart from visibility light provides dynamicness to various functional spaces full of romance and thrill. Automatically, sometimes light provides motion to the human body. Today light is used to express the inner feelings and thoughts of man. It helps to body line for its full expressions. The value of light will depend on place, time, function, materials and colors used so an architect and interior-decorator has to use his expertise and experiences to use light for different functional spaces to create romance for work in an economical way. In the case of lighting areas we need a great care with respect to economy because here illumination is required for four objects such as people, functions, architecture and key objects such as art or any important but the most critical consideration is lighting for people who are using space for various functions.

Light, as an element is universally studied by people of every walk of life, since light is an art element as well as an utilitarian element. The emotional effect of light can easily be understood from a sunshine day which stimulates us to sparkle or from a dark day which makes us feel depressed or dull. People living in north hemisphere are unfortunate not to see sunlight at all during winter months and feel the gloom that darkness brings in. On the other hand, when summer comes, light becomes too brilliant and a welcome factor, because one brilliant and a welcome factor, because one feels physically active and in good form. Thus, in our homes, we should have available, but under control, all the light that we can use.

A variety of moods and effects may be obtained by the clever use of light and shadow, bright and dark areas. Some people may prefer to have diffused soft lighting in some areas like bright and dark areas. Some people may prefer to have diffused soft lighting in some areas lime dining, whereas perforated metal lanterns cast interesting shadows in areas like porches and verandahs. Light is an integrated and important aspects of planning any interior. Among the various sources of light, day light is an important factor which contributes to the appearance of a room. For this reason, all plans of decoration becomes incomplete without the consideration of the amount of light that is made possible to enter a room and any effort of beautifying such a room becomes wasteful.

It is important for an interior designer to consider the exposure, the number of windows, the amount of sunshine that enters the room, the trees / vines that shut out light and in what season of the year the room is used most, etc. Light can be provided wither through day light or through artificial light. The modern light, particularly electric light plays an important role in dramatizing the effect that a room reflects. It can bring rhythm and continuity to a room’s furnishing by linking together various points of emphasis. Creating a design is an art. To make it specific, there is great need for understanding its fundamental components. A thorough knowledge of these components, namely the element of art and design, would help a person to create beautiful things and enrich your surroundings.

The lamps you choose need not conform to a single furniture period. Many of the popular lamp styles mingle well with one another, and an artful combination of periods can add zest to the room. Lamps with single, classic bases – cylinders, columns, urns, blusters and classic oriental porcelain designs – are available in a wide spectrum of colors and finishes to complement the various decors. Traditional lamps take their inspiration form period candleholder and oil lamp designs. The traditional lamps you choose may be either authentic antiques or convincing reproductions. Designs that are appropriate for period or formal traditional rooms are eighteenth and nineteenth century – French, English and American colonial lamps, Greek urns, and the classic Oriental shapes. Traditional Europeans and American Lamps are often ornate with rococo embellishments. These are made of materials that reflect the opulence of their heritage – crystal, silver, porcelain, pottery, bronze and glass.

Informal country lamps, appropriate for using with French provincial, Early American and Spanish or Mediterranean decors are much more rustic in flavor and design. Common materials for these lamps include pewter, copper, wood, wrought iron, brass and handcrafted pottery. Finishes have a hand-rubbed look, and colors are apt to be the natural earth tone. The popular traditional contemporary fashion in lamps expresses natural or country motifs. These designs emphasize the use of natural materials – wrought iron, pottery, rope, wood and wicker. They are particularly attractive in rooms using similar materials for other furnishings. Contemporary fixtures have taken on new and fascinating shapes. Fluid and free form, the designs are trimly tailored, sleek and imaginative. Some resemble futuristic sculpture, others have exposed bulbs with no shade at all, and still others feature sound-activated switches. Improvements in the quality of model translucent plastics have made possible fanciful new shapes in lamps. Other common materials in contemporary lamps are chrome, aluminium, and glass.

• It oats in the long run to use a costlier wire than spending on decorative fittings. Besides, ornamental fittings are difficult to clean.
• It is advisable to use lamps manufactured by a firm of long standing and repute, though they may cost more in the beginning. They will pay their extra cost in two or three months only, by effecting a saving in electrical energy.
• Instead of using lamps of high wattage, it is possible to derive the same illumination with lamps of much lower wattage by providing a scientifically designed reflector, adjusting the distance or height of the lamp, fixing them just at places of maximum advantage, and keeping the reflector and the lamp free from dust and smoke.
• The shades or reflectors should be cleaned from time to time with soap-water. Dust, if allowed to be deposited on them, absorbs light.
• If a switch is found to get warm, it should be immediately replaced by a new one.
• The flexible wires should be occasionally examined. If at any place, the cover is worn out, exposing the copper wire inside, it should be replaced by a new piece. The flexible wires should be renewed every three or four years, by the action of the atmosphere they deteriorate. They are often the cause of break-out of fire.

Lighting is an important aspect of good living. The owner’s taste is reflected through the kind and the amount of lighting provided in the home. More than this, the health and food eye sights are key factors which are promoted by the right kind of lighting used for the various purposes and the home. A good knowledge and awareness on the various factors related to lighting is a must to achieve the above mentioned goals.