Lighting is one of the most important elements of a home. Good lighting can make a room appear spacious, bring out textures and colour and create a sense of ambience. Types of lighting can include a ceiling pendant, a chandelier, track lighting, recessed lighting, wall sconces, table lamps and floor lamps. Lighting can be used to brighten or dim the area in a room. When choosing lighting for a room, an important factor is whether the light is directed up or down. General lighting can be achieved by using a ceiling light, track lighting, recessed lighting or a range of combinations. Recessed lighting is hidden in the ceiling and gives a broad, even light that generally produces a more natural and inviting atmosphere. Wall sconces are a more decorative form of lighting and can be used to add an atmosphere to a room, often seen in more formal rooms. Table and floor lamps are used to create accent lighting, which is secondary to the main source of lighting in the room. They provide a more targeted source of light that allows you to bring focus to objects and art in the room. In today's houses, it is common to find task lighting in kitchens for more delicate tasks. Task lighting is ideal if a certain area requires more concentrated light, for example, if there is a desk in the room that provides a place to do work. The use of dimmers gives you control over the brightness of the light and therefore the level of ambience in the room. Finally, there is outdoor lighting, which adds atmosphere to your garden and patio area and makes it safer to use in the evening. Outdoor lighting comes in many forms, from small lights embedded in the ground to spot lights to illuminate areas and feature points. Lighting is a detailed subject, but with a little thought and planning, you can create a perfect atmosphere in any room.