I recently had the joyous experience of attending a wedding, and, as the bride and groom danced to You Light Up My Life, I was struck by the fact that light is often used as a metaphor for feelings of well-being and happiness. Indeed, even the rise and fall of the sun indicates when it is appropriate to sleep and to be active.

As our society has developed from one that lives by the cycle of the sun to one that spends much of its time in artificial light, it is clear that lighting is an imperative part of design, due to its profound affect on our emotional life.

When you begin to consider how a space will be lit, it is vital to take into account the activities that will occur in that space, and to provide suitable light for these activities. Any task that is undertaken with inadequate lighting becomes both a strain on the eyes, as well as a strain on one’s concentration and enjoyment of the task in question.

This principle is especially true for home offices and kitchens, where tasks specific to these rooms can be important and taxing, or even potentially dangerous (for example, writing a report for work, or chopping vegetables with a sharp knife). Concentrating on a project in one of these rooms can be either pleasurable or arduous, depending on the quantity and quality of available light. Spaces like offices, kitchens, children’s homework rooms, and studies require task-appropriate lighting, so that these rooms can function for the benefit, not the detriment, of the residents of the home.

In nature, we are bathed by the light of the sun. During daytime hours, the sun’s light is above us. Pot lighting affords us the same overhead bath of light in an interior space, without the actual light source falling into our line of vision. In the winter months, when days are short and natural light entering a room is faint and subdued, using table lamps during daytime hours can create an atmosphere that is sombre and uninviting. The light source is apparent, and emanates from an obvious and unnatural direction, effectively creating the impression that it is even later and darker outdoors than it actually is.

A good general overhead lighting plan is a great addition to any room, and is most effective when it originates from several sources, like pot lighting. Many people take issue with the amount of energy that is consumed by pot lighting. With the development of LED (light emitting diode) pot lighting, however, the consumption of energy has been drastically reduced and the quality of light has been greatly improved.

Overhead lighting is not only more natural, and therefore healthier, but it can be quite useful as well. From a design perspective, pot lighting, which can be made directional, adds focus and dimension to a room, as well as allowing key elements in the space to be featured. The eye is naturally attracted to the brightest thing in its visual field. That vibrancy can be created either by colour (for instance, using a feature wall colour or a very bright painting), or by splashing light over the area or piece that you would like to accentuate. It is comforting for both the eye and the mind to have a focus in one’s spatial environment upon which to repeatedly return and rest.

We also want to be able to create mood in our spaces, and lighting is a wonderful way to take care of that aspect. Everyone would likely agree that a candle-lit dinner is the archetypal romantic environment. Dim lighting, particularly at night, can also give us a feeling of calm and relaxation. While each of our living spaces needs to have a generous amount of light throughout the day and often into the evening hours, we also want to be able to create a pleasing atmosphere for either entertaining or unwinding. Providing the majority of lighting sources with dimmers allows for the flexibility of altering the mood of a room, in order that our spaces work for us, as opposed to having to change and accommodate our moods to suit the space. Dimmers permit light to fade gradually and naturally, like the setting sun.

At the same time, a dark corner of the room can cause anxiety in both children and adults alike. According to Tina Shore, a psychotherapist in private practice, shadowy areas in a room can be troubling on several levels. Our survival has always depended upon knowing our territory and keeping it free of threats. Inasmuch as the hard-wiring in our brains and nervous system is gearing up for a physically stressful flight or fight response to whatever is lurking in the darkness behind that distant armchair, our thinking mind is working overtime to “fill in the blank” and create a visual image of the apparent unknown in the room. And to make matters worse, all of this is occurring on an unconscious, and generally inaccessible, level. It is not surprising, then, that dreams consisting of dark figures chasing us are so common.

It is heartwarming to watch a newly married couple moving in unison to such a positive and uplifting tune. While having appropriate indoor lighting provides no guarantee that you will find your soulmate, lighting up your life by creating healthy and inspirational spaces in which to live is definitely a significant step toward happiness, fulfillment and letting your inner light shine forth.

• Glen Peloso, Principal Designer of Glen Peloso Interiors Inc., designs spaces for commercial, corporate and residential clients. He is a regular host of design shows Restaurant Makeover and Take This House & Sell It. For more information on Glen Peloso Interiors, visit www.glenpelosointeriors.com.