Lighting plays a significant role in developing interaction between humans and museum artifacts in one defined space. Typically, museum environments have two types of light–natural and artificial. The role of light is an essential part of creating an atmosphere prime for discovery, while also preserving artifacts.

Proper lighting enhances the colors, textures, and details of the artwork, while poor lighting can diminish their impact. Different lighting techniques can be used to create a specific mood or highlight certain aspects of the artwork. “There’s nothing better than a beautifully lit piece of art,” says Richard Mishaan, a New York-based interior designer.

According to John H. Falk’s study in Florida Museum of Natural History (1984), the viewing behavior of an adult is constant during the first 30 to 45 minutes of viewing, and after that they experience ‘museum fatigue’. The use of natural light, which changes with time, can help in providing relief from this fatigue. Many museums and galleries, like the Louvre in Paris, Lisson Gallery in London, Sackler Galleries, Royal Academy of Arts, Tate Britain, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, and Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris include natural light into their gallery.

Combining artificial and controlled natural lighting solutions for museums proves to be a successful approach to improve the quality of the spaces not only for the objects on display but also for the visitors, as seen in many projects around the world.