No room has good lighting by accident. The most beautifully designed spaces use three distinct layers of light working together.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient light is the general illumination that fills the room. Overly bright ambient light is one of the most common mistakes. Dimmability is essential — the same room needs different brightness levels at different times.
Task Lighting
Task lighting exists to illuminate specific activities without lighting the entire room. Under-cabinet lighting in kitchens, reading lamps beside sofas, desk lamps in offices. Position to minimize glare and shadows.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting highlights architectural features, artwork, or plants to create visual interest and drama. It should be roughly three times as bright as the ambient light in its area to be visually effective.