Wall and window valance lighting fixtures commonly utilize lengths of fluorescent tubes (24in - 20 watts; 33in - 25 watts; 48in - 40 watts) and provide an abundance of soft-diffused light over the walls, curtains and draperies, and ceilings. Valance lighting create the illusion of spaciousness, making the room appear larger and airier.

For homes having a ceiling of 2.40 meters or 8 feet, valance lighting should be installed 1.5 to 1.7 meters from the finish floor. Custom-made window valances and coves give maximum reflection from the ceiling when they are installed around 10 inches between the top of the valance and the ceiling, and the lamp 4 inches from the wall

For homes with a ceiling height of 3.00 meters - 3.60 meters (10 ft to 12 ft), the height which the window valance light is installed depends on the height of the window. The illusion of lowering the ceiling in these rooms can be affected by installing window valance and wall lights slightly lower than recommended for homes with 2.40m ceilings, and by painting the portion of the upper part of each wall, above the valance height to match the ceiling.

Bedrooms today are not just confined to sleeping. It hosts other activities such as studying, working, writing, and many more. Because of this, carefully planned lighting is essential.

The general illumination requirements of the bedroom can be answered by a ceiling-mounted fixture. If it is the proper size, it will provide sufficient general illumination for all the many activities that you want done in a bedroom.

Most people select bedroom fixtures that are too small or not enough wattage to illuminate the room. If you would just be sleeping in a bedroom that would be just fine, but for other activities you might want to consider adding three more lighting types such as accent lighting for the dresser, localized lighting for bedroom reading, and if you have a cozy corner, a decorative light for illumination.

You may say that this might be design-overkill, just keep in mind that you will not operate those lights all at the same time. Each light will serve its specific purpose.

Certain types of light higlight some color more than others. For a dramatic effect in your home, select the right light for the colors you wish to emphasize in the room’s decoration.

Highlight lighting depends upon the type of light and color of the material the light bounces at, for example:

1. Pure incandescent lghting enriches dark reds and the brightness of yellow. It has, however, a darkening effect on most other colors.

2. Warmtone fluorescent lamps brighten reds and yellow too. But they add warmth and clearness to most of the other colors.

3. Standard white fluorescent lamps brighten yellow, greens, and tans. However, they gray the blues.

4. Soft, white fluorescent lamps brighten and increase the clearness of the reds, pinks, pinkish-tans and blues. However, they dull the colors of yellow, gray, and green.

5. Daylight fluorescent lamps cool and pale all colors except blue and green. This light helps to emphasize wood finishes.

The examples shown above serve as a guide, when choosing the right light for you, remember that not all lamps are created equal, it all depends on the area to be lighted, the materials you wish to emphasize, and of course the function.

Before you decide upon lighting from a decorative viewpoint, you must decide upon the location of the furniture and furnishings. The center of family activity, the living room, is also the place for entertaining guests. Soft, pleasant light for conversation and listening to music can be provided by the use of hanging lamps or ceiling fixtures, window valances, cove lighting or recessed fixtures.

For television viewing, a soft over-all illumination is needed. It reduces the sharp contrast between the lighted screen produced by the TV and the darkness of the room, which causes discomfort and eyestrain. Wall or valance lighting is particularly effective as long as it does not reflect in the TV screen. Having a dimmer switch for your general illumination works just as great as you can reduce general illumination to 50% whenever watching television.

Light for reading may be produced by hanging reel-type lamps, accent lights or wall lights. It is a good idea to make provisions for accent lighting of unusual pieces in the living room, such as a piano, an antique table or chair, paintings or a big decorative jar.