Looking for home lighting ideas? Never underestimate the power of a well-planned lighting scheme.
Not only can it transform your home, both in the way it feels and how it functions, but it can also create interest and visual drama, with layers of light that allow you to see clearly and highlight stand-out features.
Ready to be illuminated about lighting up your home? Read on for expert advice and inspiration, whether you’re looking for mood lighting, task lighting or accent lighting to complete your space…
Whether it’s a statement chandelier, a row or cluster of pendants or recessed lights, use ambient lighting to create a diffused, even level in a room.
Make sure that whatever you hang overhead is the right size for the space.
Too big and it can cast unwanted shadows and make your room feel cramped – too small and it can look lost and out of proportion.
A row of pendant lights, or a cluster, hung over a dining table makes for an inviting place to eat, while allowing you to see what’s on the table when needed.
Think hard about where you hang them, though – too high and you risk not getting enough light, too low and you’ll be knocking them every time you reach over the table.
As beautiful as your chosen light fitting may be, it’s hard to appreciate if the light itself is too harsh, which is where a dimmer comes in.
This way you’ll be able to set the brightness to exactly the right amount, whether it’s low-lit mood lighting or at a more general level.
Dowsing & Reynolds, Buster + Punch and Screwfix all sell a range of aesthetically pleasing dimmer switches.
Light fittings can help with the overall feel you want to create in your room, whether it’s sparkling glass for an elegant vibe, a metal design for a more utilitarian look or something softer.
Add texture by introducing a shade in a more touchy-feely material – linen, velvet, rattan and silk are all good contenders.
When you have one open-plan room with different functions, such as eating, watching TV or cooking, it’s crucial to light each part for its own specific requirements.
For example, you may want lower mood lighting in the living area, while the kitchen will need something more functional and bright.
Remember that you don’t have to have the same light fittings throughout – contrast and diversity can be a good thing.
Pendant lights are fine to use in a bathroom, but there are regulations in place to keep you safe.
Fittings close to a bath will need to have an IP (Ingress Protection) rating unless your light fitting is high enough that it’s out of the bath and water ‘zone’. Find out more about IP ratings at plumbworld.co.uk.
When you need more than just an overhead light, task lighting will help illuminate those poorly lit areas.
A desk space, for example, can benefit from a lamp – aim for one with varying intensity levels, so you can set its brightness, and cordless is also a good way to go for flexibility and to keep clutter to a minimum.
Bathrooms are notoriously the room where we do our hair and make-up, so it’s likely you’ll you need some extra light to be able to see clearly while not being so bright that all you can see is glare.
Wall lights are ideal and should be positioned either side of your mirror to get the best effect, with a warm light rather than anything too clinical.
Whether you need extra light to read in bed, under a cabinet, or in the office, spotlights are a practical option.
Decide whether you need a singular design or one that comes with a few spots that can be angled in different directions.
Create a safe food-prep environment and make chopping and grating a breeze with a good, even light across your worktops.
This under-cabinet strip home lighting is not only dimmable and wireless, but it uses LED lights that consume up to 85% less energy and last 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Avoid eye strain by making sure you have enough light to work comfortably when natural or overhead light just isn’t cutting it.
Opt for a desk lamp with a softer bulb, so it’s not too harsh on your eyes, and choose from stylish globe-style orbs or Anglepoise designs that can be angled to where you need them.
A reading nook wouldn’t be a reading nook without a handy lamp to cast light on your reading material.
A floorstanding design is ideal as it’s tall enough to sit behind and above you, casting a much-needed glow onto your pages.
Highlight an area of your room to create drama or show off your most treasured items with carefully planned accent lighting.
Wall-mounted lights can be fixed above shelves for a softer way to showcase books and collectibles.
Give a glow to walls and showcase pictures with smart wall lights that are designed to cast a downward glow.
Whether you opt for picture or track lights, keep the light source close to your artwork and opt for a low-wattage bulb to provide a sense of intimacy and ensure it doesn’t damage your art over time.
The idea is that you’ll feel you want to stand closer for a look.
There are a number of lighting options to choose from when it comes to highlighting the items on or under your shelves, or in cabinets… LED strips can be run along the front of the shelves or used to back-light them for extra drama, while recessed spotlights offer discreet downlighting. Whatever you choose, this form of lighting works best when concealed, offering a beautifully soft glow in your chosen area.
If your overhead light doesn’t stretch all the way to each corner of the room, consider using wall lights to brighten the space, add interest and create an extra layer of light.
Being that wall lights will be in your eyeline and very much on show, opt for a design that is as attractive as it is functional, and fits seamlessly with your décor.
If you’re searching for something a little different, then look no further than these wood-look light panels that give you a warm glow while on and provide a piece of geometric wall art when off.
Available in different shapes and formations, these smart lights can even be set to respond to your music by changing colour – clever!
Lighting can also be used to add humour and interest to your space – as these three eclectic table lamps show.
