Photo Credit - Cecconi and Simone Interior Design

A home that has been left in the dark will definitely not rise to its potential. Lighting is the most often-missed design and architectural element in new construction. Without a solid lighting plan and ultimately, good lighting, time spent designing and decorating is wasted.

A home must be illuminated properly to present architectural features, landscaping, and artwork in the best possible light and to be able to perform activities planned for the space.

Begin your lighting plan by locating architectural features in the room: A fireplace, window, coved or coffered ceilings, built-in bookcases, pillars or an arched doorway.

When consulting with your designer prior to the electrical rough-in (before the framing is complete), plan to light these architectural features.

Next, look at your millwork, ensure you have under-cabinet lighting. You may also want to run lighting at the top and or the base of the cabinets. Think how the lights will look when you are entertaining.

Plan for dimmer switches, which most rooms can accommodate. In the bathroom, it's nice to turn the lights down while you soak in the tub; the powder room, so a light can be dimmed to help guests find their way; the master bedroom, the dining room, the TV room, the kitchen (when you want to hide the dishes in the sink).

Soft, dimmed lighting also creates a gentle ambience in each room.

Determine what activities will take place in each room and, using a furniture planner (little pieces of furniture that have been drawn to scale and that can be laid out onto your blueprint), place furniture into your rooms.

List and visualize all activities and their location, then plan appropriate lighting for the task and its location.

We buy art and sculpture because we love the piece, appreciate the artist's skills and find the work compelling enough to want to have it in our home.

To appreciate a work of art, it must be well lit. Track lighting or directional pin and recessed pot lighting usually work best.

Aim the lighting directly at your art.