In last month's newsletter, I wrote about some general guidelines to consider when buying a new lamp for your home. This time I'd like to showcase a variety of lighting types from the stylish Kathy Ireland Home Lighting Collection to illustrate where each type of lamp works best.

The way a lamp throws light into a room differs radically from unit to unit. For example, lamps that cast light toward the ceiling result in indirect lighting that can make a room appear larger than it actually is. Soft, diffuse light cast through a shade or sconce is an excellent choice for all-round general lighting. Lamps that throw light down towards the floor are good for illuminating table tops, art pieces or other wall decorations.

Some general tips on lighting placement:

Standing lamps work best in corners, so avoid positioning them in heavy traffic areas. For most table lamps, you'll need ample desk or table space or they may feel crowded. Finally, if your table or desk has a glass top you could get a bulb reflection in the glass. You can use a specialty bulb or goose-neck lamp to avoid this problem.

Happy lighting!