These are some of the trends in lighting:

Casual elegance:
For this trend of lighting, you get a warm, relaxed and comfortable environment. You can go with casual lighting that is a little more upscale in design.

Simplified traditional:
This is where you get rid of all the extras. If you go with decorative lighting it is solid brass, etc. This is simple and elegant.

Soft contemporary:
Clean, modern and simple in style, is the mark of this type of lighting.

No matter what kind of lighting you like, it is important to choose lights that fit the architectural design of your home. If you live in a small apartment, a big chandelier is not going to be a very good fit. Do not use taller fixtures if you only have eight food ceilings, and don't use short fixtures if you have a nine or ten foot ceiling.

If you want to be up with the times, material choice is key to your choice. Stay away from the plastic and resin look that used to be so popular. Now you want to focus on the old world look. Focus on brass, copper, and crystal chandeliers.

The tint to your lighting is also very important. You will want to choose redder tone lighting for rooms that have cherry, mahogany, and redder colored woods. For the lighter cabinets and furniture, such as oak, use a lighter tint to your light.

For your lighting in the most used rooms in your home, consider the following:

Use recessed cans as a primary source of light. They are a great way to get enough light without being overwhelming.

Use under-cabinet lights to brighten up areas where tasks are performed, and extra light are needed.

Use ambient lighting under and on top of cabinets in toe space, and more.

Use fixtures that are small, like mini pendants and decorative accents, for extra lighting. Of course, you will want to try to compliment your main source of lighting.

When planning the lighting in your home, do it early so that you do not have the added expense of calling an electrician in over and over.

Take time choosing the right lighting choices for your decorating, flooring materials, cabinet materials, and more. You are going to want to put in lights to highlight artwork, make kitchen work spaces bright, etc.

If you have questions or are in doubt about lighting in your home, then do some work and ask an expert. If you took a picture of the room, and brought in some fabric swatches, etc. an expert could help you figure out what would work, and what would not work.

Choose quality materials. Timeless designs in top materials will always look right and can become family heirlooms. They will always be great and you will always be glad that you did not settle for sub-quality materials.

Know what the return policies are for anything you buy as far as lighting goes. For example, take a lamp home, try it and bring it back if it doesn't work for your space.

Create focal points in the room with lighting.

If you want to be able to have more control over lighting and manipulate the mood and setting, try installing a dimmer, or something similar.

Use accent lighting. By illuminating the top of a bookcase, adding under-cabinet lighting etc. you can create little spaces of light that bring the grain of the wood, the print of the wallpaper or the color of a wall to life.