What is one disadvantage of using fluorescent lamps for accent lighting?

Fluorescent lamps, while popular for general lighting applications due to their energy efficiency, can often produce light that some may perceive as harsh or unflattering. This harshness can be attributed to the specific spectrum of light that fluorescent bulbs emit, which can cause a stark contrast with objects and colors in the vicinity.

In the context of accent lighting—where the goal is often to create a warm, inviting atmosphere or to highlight specific features—the harsh light of fluorescents may not effectively achieve the desired aesthetic. Accent lighting typically requires a more controlled and pleasant color quality to enhance the visual appeal of artwork or architectural details, and fluorescent lamps may fall short in creating that desired effect.

Other options like flickering (though real) are not as pronounced in modern fluorescent technology as they might have been in the past. Energy efficiency is generally a benefit rather than a drawback for fluorescent lamps, and while they may not emit the richest colors, lack of color quality is better defined by performance issues like color rendering index (CRI) rather than the perception of light harshness. Therefore, the characteristic of producing harsh light is what makes fluorescent lamps a less ideal choice for accent lighting.