You probably already know this on some level, but the lighting you choose for your home is critical for the beauty and functionality of the space. Too often, people add the lighting as an afterthought, without much consideration for the overall effect or the need for useful illumination.
The first consideration should always be for function. If your project is for an entire house, consider each space within that house – whatever areas are considered whole unto themselves. Usually this is by rooms. Think first of how you see the room being used. If this is a redesign it may be how it has been traditionally used, or you may take this opportunity to reshape it. Is it a room for work? For reading? For casual entertaining? For eating? For movie watching or music listening? A combination of these?
Next you should envision these activities more specifically. Where will they take place in the space? How much light will they require? A desk or table that will be worked at often will need dramatically different light than a painting to be highlighted on the wall. Also consider natural light – is the space bright enough during the day, or is there anywhere you...