Lighting can indeed make a big difference to the look and atmosphere of your home. It is usually ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted or freestanding. Most conventional lighting is directed downwards, but uplighters can diffuse light, creating a more subtle effect, without glare or dazzle. If you don't want lighting to be confined solely to the perimeter of the room, use free-standing lamps. Floor lamps also called as standard lamps are available as uplighters, down lighters or spotlights, in both modern and traditional styles. There is an even greater variety of table lamps available. Some have touch-sensitive bases, which allow you to adjust the light level and save energy. How to get maximum effect Use down lit lamps, which cast a shadow on the floor, and keep the ceiling dark or use uplighters to reflect light of the ceiling and light up the whole room. For a feeling of space use wall sconces that don't take up much space and can be the same colour as the wall to blend in. For practical reasons some rooms like the kitchen and living room may have several lights. For easy control on all the lights use a lighting circuit so that you can turn them off in one go, and switch them on individually. However with a little know-how you can easily get maximum lighting effect in every single room: Kitchen: Separately highlight work areas with halogen downlighters or clip on lights for a clean, clear beam over areas such as the sink and islands. If your kitchen is also a dining room, for an occasional touch of ambient lighting choose a functional chandelier or pendant light on dimmers for your main light. Dining room: Take care to avoid or reduce lighting glare to fall on the eyes of the diner. Ensure downlighters are aimed straight onto the table surface. Place chandeliers where they create sparkle as opposed to distracting light. Wall sconces placed above eye-level can be very effective too. TV room: Do you watch TV in the dark? Apparently it's not good as it strains the eyes. To reduce the effect, position a light near the TV in such a way that it needs to shade from the viewer's eyes and shouldn't reflect on the screen. Do this and you'll still be able to view in relative darkness but with less strain on your eyes. Bathroom: To avoid splashes, ceiling downlighters are most practical. For a relaxing candle light effect have these on a dimmer but remember the safety of children and older folk who need to see clearly when they bathe. Outside: Don't forget about your garden or outside porch. Light up your porch or door to make it welcoming and safe. Place lights below walls and plants you wish to feature. You could even light your garden path. Bedroom: Don't have downlighters above the bed as they create glare. Instead try a wall sconce slightly above your head and over your shoulder to avoid shadows. Or have a table lamp placed slightly behind you. Wardrobes: To find clothes quickly, light up the wardrobe interior for a clear view. Shop around, you might see something you never knew existed. These days there are lots of lighting shops offering different looks. From Italian lighting to art nouveau and art deco reproduction, hand-forged iron, iron chandeliers, candle holder designs, glass shades, period lighting, strobe, halogen and different shaped light bulbs. Get the proportions right. The lamp base and shade fittings should be in proportion with the room. Small lamps could look odd in a large room. With lampshades, pick colours that suit your soft furnishings, curtains and carpets. They should be in contrast with the walls, instead of being the same colour or they might just get lost in the ambience. Use a downlighter over a vase of flowers. Highlight architectural features. Recessed downlighters can look great in built-in shelves or alcoves. Get creative, go ahead and bring warmth, drama and sheer elegance to your home with lighting techniques.