Lighting, used in one form or another since the earliest days of civilization, is an integral part of daily life. It provides much-needed illumination indoors and out, and contributes significantly to the overall atmosphere of a space. The right kind of lighting can make a room look larger, more open, and inviting; while the wrong kind of lighting can overwhelm a room and make it feel cramped and dark. Its best to take into account the purpose of a space before choosing lighting fixtures and bulbs, as well as any potential health and safety considerations. For general lighting, consider an overhead fixture, such as a chandelier, pendant, or track lighting with adjustable bulbs. For task lighting, such as reading or working at a desk, you will want a brighter light source such as a desk lamp or floor lamp. You may also want to consider accent lighting, such as uplights or spotlights, to highlight artwork or other areas of interest. When it comes to picking the actual bulbs, consider the type of light (warm or cool), the wattage (the higher the wattage, the brighter it will be), and the size of the room. For larger rooms, brighter bulbs (like LED or fluorescent) are generally needed. Finally, when it comes to shelf and cabinet lighting, its important to ensure that your fixtures are rated for the area you will be installing them in. Always read and carefully follow the instructions provided with the lighting fixture and make sure there is adequate ventilation to avoid a potential fire hazard. In the end, the most important factor to consider is the safety and comfort of anyone using the space. Quality lighting provides illumination for the tasks and activities in a space while also making it a safer and more pleasant place to be.