During the earliest times of recorded history, lighting was considered a practical necessity. In today's terminology, this is called task lighting. When a particular area of a cave or shed or cabin needed lighting to cook or eat a meal, that's where the lighting was placed. Little, if any concern was given to the aesthetic appeal of lighting and the concept of decorative lighting wasn't even born.

With the advent of modern technology and the ability to design and manufacture lighting fixtures in all kinds of styles, sizes and shapes to say nothing of materials used, indoor and outdoor lighting has taken on an additional dimension. Perhaps the best way to describe this dimension is aesthetic or decorating appeal. Homeowners have discovered that the right kind of lighting can transform a humdrum home into a showplace.

Gone are the days when redecorating focused on just picking the right furniture, deciding on the best type of floor covering and what kind of cabinets to install. Lighting fixtures have been added to the mix and the part they play in creating just the right impression cannot be understated.

The goal in selecting the right lighting is to consider the way you want the room to feel when you walk in. Rooms that are places to rest and visit with others need to feel inviting and warm. A den, for example should feel cozy and intimate. Kitchens should have lighting that is functional and makes the preparation of a meal easy. The dining area should have lighting that exudes warmth and comfort. The bedrooms should have understated lighting that leaves the impression of intimacy. Give serious thought to the effect you want to create in a room when considering the lighting that you will be using.

Joe Rey-Barreau, an architect and professor of interior design at the University of Kentucky has identified three major trends in the selection of indoor lighting. He states “…decorative lighting is probably the most important accessory you can buy.” These trends have developed as a result of the wide variety of lighting styles and configurations available in today's marketplace and can be summarized this way:

• Casual elegance: The creation of warm, relaxed and comfortable environments with casual lighting that is a little more upscale in design.

• Simplified traditional: Remove the excess and simplify. Decorative lighting here may be solid brass, but stripped down and rich with antique patina.

• Soft contemporary: Clean, modern and simple in style. While architectural in design, these fixtures are no longer cold.

A major consideration in selecting lighting fixtures is the basic architectural configuration of the home. Today's builders are opting for taller and loftier ceilings. The standard in years past was an 8' ceiling. Architects determined that the 8' ceiling created a closed-in or somewhat confining impression. Visit most new housing developments today and the models will typically have up to 10' ceilings in most of the main rooms. Consequently, lighting fixtures have been designed to complement these rooms with tall ceilings.

In the kitchen and dining areas, oak cabinets have traditionally been the standard. The trend has shifted towards deeper and richer wood such as cherry. As a result, the lighting used in these areas needs to be carefully chosen to enhance the wood used in the cabinets by giving them a richer look.

In addition, there has been a trend to return to metal as the primary material used in the construction of lighting fixtures. Copper and brass fixtures are becoming more and more popular replacing plastics and synthetics as primary construction material for lighting fixtures.

The mini-pendant is becoming more popular as is under-cabinet lighting.

Outdoor lighting is one of the hottest lighting trends today. Many more homes are being built with decks and patios which require lighting. The lighting industry has responded by designing weather-resistant and corrosion-resistant fixtures for outdoor use in a variety of styles, sizes and colors. In addition to deck and patio lighting, more modern landscape lighting has become available. Homeowners have begun to realize the immense curb appeal that is created by selecting just the right type of landscape lighting to say nothing of the added security that this type of lighting provides.

Finally, energy efficiency is coming more and more to the forefront as a major concern in the development of lighting fixtures. The fluorescent bulb is rapidly taking the place of the traditional incandescent bulb, which is not only wasteful when it comes to energy but also is developing a reputation for polluting the environment. The fluorescent fixture lasts longer than its incandescent counterpart and so is more economical to use.

The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers some tips that are worth repeating here.

Ten Tips that Will Help You Light Your Home Up Like the Pros

To help you make the most of your decorative lighting, the experts at the American Lighting Association (ALA) offer the following ideas for illuminating your home -- no matter what your budget.

Don't Wait: It is important to plan your lighting even earlier than other decorating ideas because there are frequently decisions that need to be made relative to the location and type of electrical outlet installation during construction. You also need to consider lead-time. “Consumers are surprised when we tell them it may be as long as six weeks to get their decorative fixture,” says Kathy Held, who is a buyer and vice president at South Dade Lighting in Miami, Florida. “We don't keep every fixture in every finish in the showroom. Consumers need to start earlier and have patience while their fixture is built.”

Take Your Time: Give lighting as much consideration as other decorating decisions like flooring, wall covering, and furniture. Create a master plan of how you want the finished house to look, and work at it over a year or two. For instance, do you want mini-pendants versus recessed lighting over the kitchen island, pinpoint spots versus a wall outlet to illuminate artwork, or a floor outlet for a lamp in your seating area?

Ask the Experts: To make the best decisions, embrace your lighting showroom personnel. Get information from them. “And bring them information,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, educational consultant for the American Lighting Association. “Use your camera. Bring a digital image of the room and what is not working. If you are trying to create a decorative element, bring in swatches of fabric, pillows, and paint chips. Make the fixture the statement to complement the room.”

Quality Counts: No matter what your budget, opt for timeless materials like bronze and glass over their plastic counterparts. Timeless designs in top materials will always look right and can become family heirlooms.

Test It: Try before you buy. In most instances, you can take a lamp home, try it and bring it back if it doesn't work.

Focus Pocus: Put lighting to work creating focal points. Add lights to direct the eye in a new direction by focusing on a piece of art, furniture or the mantel.

Dim Some: Dimmers are an inexpensive trick-of-the-trade. They help set a special mood in the home by allowing you to manipulate the light. Install them at the wall for ceiling fixtures and even buy them for table lamps.

Space Case: Add more drama to a space with accent lighting. By illuminating the top of a bookcase, adding under-cabinet lighting or hanging a colored pendant over the kitchen island, you can create islands of light that bring the grain of the wood, the print of the wallpaper or the color of a wall to life.

Do Your Homework: “There is a wealth of information on the Internet, particularly the ALA Web site,” says Rey-Barreau. “You should also rely on lighting showroom people as experts -- many are interior designers.”