In order to enhance the decor of a space one needs to understand the Lighting Methods. These are classified into 5 types of basis lighting focus, direction, and fixture arrangement.
Direct Lighting
Where 90 to 100 percent of light from luminaries is allowed to fall over the work surface.
Direct light is always used when details need to be brought into focus: it has a narrow beam angle, creates an exciting contrast of light and shadow and is therefore mostly used for Accent and Task lighting.
A desk lamp, for example, is used to provide the work surface with sufficient light. Good illumination of the kitchen workplace is achieved by directional spotlights or under-floor lights
Semi-direct Lighting
In a semi-direct lighting system, 60 to 90 percent of the light from the luminaire shines toward the working surface. The remainder of the light is reflected toward the ceiling and the upper portion of the walls.
This lighting system softens shadows and produces even lighting. The total light flux is made to fall downwards directly with the help of a semi-direct reflector on the working surface and also to illuminate the ceilings and walls.
It is best suited to rooms with high ceilings where a high level of uniformly distributed illumination is desirable.
General Lighting
Here light rays are split into 2 parts and 50 % of light rays fall over the workspace while the remaining 50%get reflected towards ceilings and other parts of the wall.
Lamps made of diffusing glass are employed which give almost equal distribution of light in all directions.
Semi-Indirect Lighting
In this type of system, around 60 to 90 percent of light rays get reflected towards the ceiling.
For proper semi-indirect lighting, we have to maintain highly reflective ceilings and rooms. In this scheme, the light comes partly from the ceiling by diffused reflection and party direct from the source on the working surface.
As it is glare-free with soft shadows it is mainly used for indoor light decoration purposes.
Indirect Lighting
In an indirect lighting system, 90 to 100 percent of the light rays move upward and reflect off the ceiling. The light formed due to indirect lighting is highly diffused, evenly distributed light.
Indirect lighting limits veiling reflections, shadows, and direct glare, hence is responsible for general/Ambient lighting and is usually used to illuminate a larger area.
The larger beam angle ensures that the light is emitted evenly in different directions. “soft” light is created, which illuminates the surroundings evenly and thereby allows the eye to calm down.
Another advantage of indirect lighting is that the room gains height and openness thanks to the low-contrast light.
Since indirect light generally does not dazzle, pieces of furniture and workplaces can be placed anywhere and changed again and again.
A disadvantage of indirect lighting is energy efficiency, which is much lower than direct lighting.