In the past two decades I have seen a dramatic rise in the use and versatility of track lighting. It can be used in nearly all applications, can be placed on stand offs for using on walls or high ceilings, and with the new flexible track systems, you can hang pendants and spot light your pictures from the same track!

Below are some great tips for using track lighting. Consult your local lighting professional for the many uses and types of track lighting available in your local area.

Accent Lighting
Highlighting art and display objects is the most common and effective use of track lighting. Track permits you complete freedom of choice in light sources. You can position and aim the accent lights precisely where you want. As the interior or objects change, you can easily change the lighting.

Wall Lighting
Placing track parallel with the wall and locating lights every two or three feet can provide for very effective wall washing. You can intersperse accent lights to bring added focus on key works of art. Track can also be built into a pocket or located behind a fascia to provide effective grazing light to emphasize textured surfaces.

Task Lighting
You can use track to locate lights immediately over a work surface. Pendants powered from the track provide softer, more uniform light, with less shadowing than do typical track spot lights.

General Lighting
Track lights, with their concentrated beams, do not provide very comfortable general lighting. But, you can power decorative pendants from the track, which are more effective. Reflecting light off of walls with track-mounted floods and wall washers also provides comfortable ambient lighting.

Flexibility
The flexibility of track lighting permits you to place lights anywhere in the room and remodel easily. The track brings electrical power "with it" and works on ceilings without room to recess, behind shallow fascias, and on walls. Multi-circuit track can support both accent and general lighting at the same time. Track lights can be re-aimed, relocated, removed, or replaced very easily and at any time.

Limitations
Track is only suitable for dry, indoor locations. It should not be used outside or in damp locations for residential situations.