Light fixtures provide illumination indoors and outdoors by creating artificial light and can be functional as well as decorative. It should be appropriate according to the size, scale and purpose for the space it should brighten up. A unit of lighting fixture consists of the lamp, the reflector to direct it, an opening that can be with or without a lens, an outer shell to house the lamp alignment and protect it and a connection to a power source. There is a wide variety of lights that are specifically created for automobiles, aerospace, marine and medical lighting. Most of these are contemporary lighting because in the early days, lighting was provided by either candles or tapers that were burnt in the house on the street.

There are basically three different types of lighting: general, task oriented and accentuated. Lamps are freestanding and can include table, floor and desk lamps. They are used to illuminate a particular area and operate by plugging into an electric outlet. Sconces are those that are fixed to walls and brighten up by either plugging into the electric outlet or being hard wired into an existing electrical system. These are used to brighten up artwork, architectural details and are most common in hallways. Another example of light fixture is the chandelier which is mounted on the ceiling, hand on a chain or cord and has more than one branch. These are also hard wired into an existing electrical system. Then, there is the track lighting which refers to the several lights mounted on a linear track installed in the ceiling. The ceiling can also hold recessed lighting that is embedded into it. It is extremely important to use the correct wattage bulb in any lighting fixture if you don't want to suffer a short circuit that can cause an electric fire.

Types of latest lighting fixtures are:

1. Portable or free standing lighting. Table lights and office task lights are in this category.

2. Recessed lighting that is encased and concealed behind a ceiling or wall and which only leaves the fixture exposed.

3. Surface mounted lighting which is not flush with any surface.

4. Indirect lighting that reflects off the ceiling and is a part of general illumination

5. Long lines of fluorescent lamps that can be used in a factory or warehouse and comes under industrial lighting.

6. Pathways lighting fixtures that are mounted slightly above ground level and provides illumination for walkways.

7. Cove lights that are recessed into the ceiling in a long box against a wall.

8. Lights under cabinets, which are common in the kitchen.

9. Emergency lights and exit lights that are connected to a battery and will switch on when the main power fails.

10. Pole mounted lighting fixtures that are used to illuminate landscape, roadways and parking lots.