When lighting a space, the first thing you must consider is its function. A dining room demands a well-placed ceiling lamp above the table, while a living room or a bedroom should have wall or table lamps for reading. An office or kitchen requires a proper work light, but it’s a common mistake to opt for a very bright or even fluorescent light—no one ever feels comfortable under a cold, bright lamp. Instead, go for soft, warm, indirect light whenever possible, and remember that when light hits a bright surface, it diffuses back into the room, so you should position your lamps in a way that avoids any glare.

       Proper color temperature is more important than most people realize. Humans follow a circadian rhythm, and lighting should support your daily routine. While a workplace can—to a certain degree—have a cooler light to energize us during the day, at home you need warm, relaxing light that mimics the rising and setting sun. Consider installing dimming switches that control not only the amount but the temperature of the light. You can go as low as 2,200 Kelvin—the equivalent of old incandescent bulbs. This not only helps your eyes adjust and prepare for sleep but also creates a relaxing atmosphere.

       When architects design buildings, they put great consideration into the way natural light permeates rooms, and you should approach artificial lighting with the same care. But while daylight should always be plentiful, the same isn’t necessarily true for artificial lights. I adhere to the 1965 manifesto of Danish architect and designer Poul Henningsen, which says that proper lighting is about having as little light as you need to feel comfortable in a room. Shadows are an important part of lighting; there’s nothing worse than an overlit space. Humans might be afraid of complete darkness, but we also cannot thrive without some darkness.