Depending on the function and feel of the space, the question then becomes one of lights verses lamps. A lack of space combined with the dangerous element of water dictate that kitchen and bathroom lights be installed in.

A light, on the other hand, is a fixture mounted directly into a wall or ceiling and hard wired to the building's electrical system. In applications such as bathroom and kitchen lighting, lamps are usually impractical. When remodelling a home or building a new one, one of the last choices to be made is that of lighting. For purposes of literal definition, the words "light" and "lamp" are pretty interchangeable. It's important because lighting first needs to be functional.

In the real world of lighting design however, a lamp is generally implied to be a stand alone unit comprised of a base, fixture, and shade of some sort. The lamp is plugged into an electrical outlet and controlled by a switch wired to the fixture.

After that it also needs to enhance the mood of the space or perhaps even create it is some cases.