Once you know about different types of lighting and are aware of its many possibilities, you can start creating a variety of special effects.
           
The dimmer switch can alter the mood of a room in seconds and is simple to  install.  (If you are unsure about any safety aspects, check with an electrician).

 Make rooms seem larger by flooding the walls with light from bright wallwashers that are either recessed into the ceiling (if you have plaster or wood ceilings, and have enough space in between floors to accommodate the housings) or fitted to tracks two feet out from the wall. 

Rooms will become more intimate when you light up the space with pools of light from table lamps (with three-way bulbs), uplights, downlights and well-placed spots, all controlled by dimmer switches wired, if possible, to a plate at the door.  Also, string  white Christmas tree lights over a large plant or over bare winter branches for year-round dazzle.

You can alter the whole tone of a room by placing colored bulbs in all the lamps.  Pink bulbs for a warm atmosphere, and blue or green bulbs for a cooler feel.  Photographic stores have colored filters or gels in a variety of colors and can be slipped over the top of bulbs to change the mood of a room instantly.

Use your imagination with readily available lighting appliances and Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!