Plan on several types of lighting to meet needs

— Vicki

DEAR VICKI: Lighting is essential to your design plan. Proper lighting can make or break a room. Not having enough light can damage your eyes and cause your guests to get frustrated when they can't make out exactly what they're eating at the dinner table. Too much light can cause headaches and a glare.

According to the American Lighting Association, lighting consumes 12 percent to 15 percent of your electric bill. You can cut down on those costs by installing dimmers on lights throughout your home. Another way to save on your electric bill is to use energy-efficient light bulbs.

Add a timer to your table lamps and utilize built-in timers that are available on newer televisions. This can save you a bunch of money if you or someone in your home tends to fall asleep and leave the television on all night.

When designing a room, plan on several different types of lighting to meet all of your needs.

● Ambient lighting: General lighting that will allow you to safely move throughout your home and provide enough light to perform basic functions.

● Task lighting: Designed for a specific need like under a kitchen cabinet or over a sink.

● Accent lighting: A wall sconce that adds a warm glow to the room or a recessed light that highlights a beautiful painting.

All of these types of lighting should be considered when you design your space.

When you hang the chandelier from your 8-foot ceiling, I'm assuming it will be over a table. The general rule of thumb is to hang it about 30 inches from the bottom of the light. However, if your light shines down on the table, you should work with your electrician to determine the proper height and the type of bulb that will work best for your space.

Let's face it: The older we get the more light we need. You should adjust according to your individual taste as well as your ability to see clearly without a glare.