A space’s lighting defines its personality and how people perceive it, which in turn affects how they feel about being there. Below are various lighting effects that can take the same space and transform it into different environments.
| Psychological impact | Lighting effect | Light distribution |
| TENSE | Intense direct light from above | Non-uniform |
| RELAXED | Lower overhead lighting with some lighting at room perimeter, warm color tones | Non-uniform |
| WORK/VISUAL CLARITY | Bright light on workplane with less light at the perimeter, wall lighting, cooler color tones | Uniform |
| SPACIOUSNESS | Bright light with lighting on walls and possibly ceiling | Uniform |
| PRIVACY/INTIMACY | Low light level at activity space with a little perimeter lighting and dark areas in rest of space | Non-uniform |
