What type of lighting can create dramatic effects and focus attention on specific areas?

Accent lighting is specifically designed to highlight particular areas or objects within a space, creating interest and drama through illumination. It serves to draw the eye to specific features such as artwork, architectural details, or decorative elements. By using focused beams or strategically placed fixtures, accent lighting enhances the visual appeal of these highlighted areas while also contributing to the overall ambiance of the room.

In contrast, general lighting provides a uniform level of illumination throughout a space and does not emphasize any one area over another. Task lighting, on the other hand, is geared towards providing enough light for specific activities, such as reading or cooking, rather than creating a dramatic effect. Natural lighting, while it can provide beautiful ambient light, also lacks the focused intensity of accent lighting, making it less effective at highlighting individual features. As such, accent lighting is the go-to choice for those looking to create dramatic effects within a residential interior design context.