Today’s illumination technology opens entirely new dimensions when designing your home. From the ubiquitous front door entryway light to discreetly accenting unique works of art, there are numerous electronic innovations that can add not only safety to your life but make it more convenient, colorful and downright comfortable.

Just about everything in and around today’s home demands some form of special illumination. The right kind of lighting can not only highlight your favorite artwork, but also enhance security as well as create a highly romantic atmosphere.

A lighting plan designed specifically to fulfill and augment your needs, wants and desires has become a critical part of building or remodeling any home. By working closely with your designer and utilizing your own creativity, every living space can be a delightful and unique experience for not only you and your family, but for guests as well.

At the top of the list of considerations is your basic, general lighting plan. It requires not just some serious thought, but expert advice. It should provide an even distribution of light everywhere inside your home and take maximum advantage of natural light to reduce energy costs, while delivering proper illumination when natural light is unavailable.

Outside, it should provide light for general traffic areas as well as being used for decorative and/or security purposes. Motion sensors can turn on lights when you pull into a dark driveway — or catch an unsuspecting intruder by surprise. Motion sensor lighting can also be used to control security cameras.

The most effective and pleasing general lighting is usually indirect. This includes such devices as the basic well-placed lamp, but also entails the use of wall sconces and recessed pocket lighting.

Certain areas of your home, such as entry foyers, require more light than others. Family rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and stairs, as well as dens, libraries and home offices all require different levels and types of lighting. Hallways and stairs present special challenges, but with the use of such items as recessed floor area fixtures for example, they can become an integral part of the interior design, and define — as well as illuminate — the traffic pattern at the same time.

Rheostats — most commonly known as dimmers — offer an excellent way to vary light levels to accommodate different needs and moods. For example, dimmers used to control lighting in a Master suite can create a most romantic mood while utilizing one in a bathroom with a Jacuzzi-type tub and some soft music can offer a very relaxing atmosphere.

Keep in mind that light should illuminate — not glare.

Incandescent lighting is warmer, more flattering, and easier on the eyes than harsher fluorescent light, which is mainly used offices and many industrial areas. However, fluorescent lighting can be used to create special effects in the home if used correctly. It doesn’t just come in that severe white we’ll all used to any more. There are now a wide variety of colors offering warmth and simulated natural light.

Accent lighting uses heavy doses of direct illumination to emphasize and call attention to specific items like wall-mounted artwork as well as freestanding art and other items like plants. Using halogen bulbs for accent lighting will provide light that is true to color and energy-efficient as well. However, many art curators discourage placing light fixtures of any kind too closely to fine works of art, as they can damage delicate pigments.

What’s known as “task lighting” is just that — lighting in specific places such as a kitchen or library to illuminate specific tasks — like cooking and reading.

Uplighting will create ceiling shadows just as recessed lighting has a soft glowing effect. Depending on your desired moods and the effects you want to create, brighter spots and deeper shadows can be extremely dramatic and highly effective.

Lighting is not something to leave to chance, using cheap globe fixtures in the middle of the ceiling. It is also not a place to scrimp cost-wise. Today, lighting is available in every size, shape, material, and color for all the purposes outlined here — and a lot more. You are limited only by your imagination. Lighting can make a strong statement about who and what you are. Say it proudly — with taste, style and dramatic impact.