What characterizes accent lighting in a residential interior?

Accent lighting is defined primarily by its ability to draw attention to particular features within a space, such as artwork, architectural details, or decorative elements. This type of lighting is characterized by focused light sources that create dramatic effects and enhance the visual interest of a room. By spotlighting specific areas or objects, accent lighting helps to create a layered approach to illumination, allowing for both practical use and aesthetic appeal.

In contrast to general illumination, which aims to provide an even level of light throughout an entire room, accent lighting does not serve to illuminate spaces broadly. Rather, it serves a specific purpose of highlighting, which is why it is essential for creating focal points and enhancing the overall design. Indirect lighting, while it can create ambiance, lacks the concentrated focus that accent lighting provides, and task-oriented lighting is more about facilitating specific activities rather than highlighting features of a room. Therefore, the key characteristic of accent lighting lies in its ability to provide concentrated highlights that bring attention to particular visual elements within a residential interior.