Lighting affects the ambiance and mood of a space — get it right and the whole look of your interiors will improve.

Knowing your ceiling height is important when selecting hanging light fixtures. Some lights come with adjustable cables or rods, but others don’t. Don’t get stuck with a light that hangs too low or too high.

As a rule of thumb, the bottom of a light should hang about 12 to 20 inches below a standard 8-foot ceiling. For each additional foot of ceiling height, add 3 inches.

When hanging a light over a table or a kitchen island, 28 to 34 inches is the recommended distance from the bottom of the light to the surface of the table or island. However, the size of the light makes a difference. In general, a smaller light can be moved lower and a larger light can be moved higher.

Don’t limit lighting to downlights. Depending on the location, consider wall sconces or uplighting to create a softer ambiance and avoid potentially harsh downlighting that can cast ominous shadows.

Adding lights to stair risers is beneficial since it can be hazardous negotiating stairs, especially at night. Staircases are often enclosed, so light them from the sides or embed lights in the risers as a design element.

Strip lighting at the underside of base cabinets is a great way to create a night light that looks fabulous.