Modern style lighting is characterized by its clean, sleek, and uncluttered designs. It often abandons intricate ornamentation in favor of minimalistic aesthetics. The fixtures are streamlined, featuring straight lines, geometric shapes, and smooth surfaces that exude a sense of simplicity and elegance.

The five main types of interior lighting are: general, ambient, mood, task and accent. Some lights can fit into a few types (depending on their placement, brightness and use) but a general understanding of each individual type of lighting can be very helpful in planning an effective scheme.