Home Lighting - Top Tips

Good lighting is integral to creating to good design, playing a key role in adding magic to your interior space and can really make or break the look and feel of your room.

We are lovers of every interior design component, but there are a few things that will really set the scene, and lighting is one of them. Whether it’s natural or accent, the right lighting can completely change the feel of your home.

It's worth taking time to consider the needs, functions and style of each room in your space to make the very most of your lighting. So we’re sharing some of our favourite tips for elevating the lighting in your home to create an ambiance for day and night.

FUNCTION

It is paramount to consider the function of your room. Lighting is crucial and its importance shouldn’t be underestimated: bad lighting will ruin an otherwise beautiful room.

Lighting is an interior designer’s secret weapon. It’s the best way to create instant warmth and ambience in a room. Consider it a clever tool which can draw attention to or away from elements whilst giving you the ability to create several different moods in the same space. Unfortunately all too many people treat lighting as an afterthought with  finished renovations and regret not planning their lighting better – and earlier.

 

When selecting lighting in your kitchen and bathrooms, functional lighting is a key. However, for your hallways, living areas and bedrooms you can really push the boundaries of design with statement ceiling pendant lights, luxe wall lights and high-impact chandeliers. First and foremost, we recommend writing down all the uses of the room that you are choosing lighting for as well as the overall mood you envisage for the space. Ensure you take the time to do this before you start the process as it can really help you to focus and hone down the style you need for the room in question. For instance, the lighting requirements for a naturally light large room will be completely different to a small dark bedroom or study.’ Careful lighting design allows you to break up spaces into zones, each of which is fit for its purpose.

 

LAYERING

To achieve the best look and feel, it’s important to layer your lighting pieces. Start with your overhead lights to brighten the room, and then add in dimension through accent lighting. Table lamps, floor lamps, and even scones add extra design elements while making your space feel warmer. If you have can lights and don’t have a chandelier or pendants, you can still draw the eye into your lighting with a statement accent lighting piece!

There are three main types of lighting: ambient lighting, which refers to the general light levels in a room; task lighting, which offers targeted light for reading, cooking, etc; and accent lighting, which is used to highlight specific areas or features within a room and create atmosphere.

The ideal lighting scheme will provide a mixture of all three types – known as ‘layering’ light. Floor lamps are perfect for providing both ambient and task lighting, as well as creating accents and setting the tone and mood of a space.

• Wall lighting is a clever way to create the illusion of a larger room. In particular, up-lighting wall lights will draw the eye upwards and make you think that a room is taller than it is. Wall lighting also has the added bonus of keeping your side tables clear, creating a less cluttered feeling. Again, this will create a feeling of a larger space.
• Chandeliers & Ceiling Lights are ingenious at opening up your small rooms. Opt for a statement ceiling light to add a sense of grand drama to your room and  go one step further by opting for a glass or mirrored ceiling shade which will bounce light and create more space in your home.
• Floor lamps are a versatile addition to your lighting scheme. As well as providing plenty of ambient lighting, they’re also great for practical task lighting, brightening up dark or awkward areas, and creating warmth and atmosphere. What’s more, floor lamps can make a stunning style statement in their own right. A stylish floor lamp can look fabulous in any space, but there are a few things to think about when deciding exactly where to put them, including how you plan to use the space, the size and shape of the room, and the kind of tone and mood you want to achieve.

   

GO BIG

For certain areas of the house, homeowners are falling in love with bigger fixtures. The aim is to create a “Wow” factor and instant focal point. More than lighting, these fixtures act as centrepieces. Large pendant lighting fixtures can be used over the kitchen island, over the dining table and especially in hallways, to help accentuate high ceilings. It will draw the eye upwards which elongates the room, not forgetting the fact that it's incredibly beautiful too.

The Luston Large Chandelier  (above) is the perfect statement piece. The chandelier's top tier is created from iron and fashionably finished in cool silver. The three smaller tiers are created from sections of clear glass, bevelled to refract light and add a luxurious sense of depth and contract.

Larger fixtures require a lot of care. For best results, use these in a central area these where it can create the maximum effect. You can balance these with smaller fixtures around the room to create a balanced overall look

Branch chandeliers have been gaining momentum in the design world for several seasons, and are beginning to really take off.  The minimalist design of our Salasco chandelier reigns things back a bit and allows a more seamless convergence with more modern spaces. Each rod is capped by artisan made crystal glass shades with a diamond cut. Once lit, the integrated LED lights provide beautiful reflections on the ceiling and nearby walls. 

LED LIGHTING

We are constantly looking at ways to reduce our carbon foot print and to be more environmentally friendly, after all it is something we are all responsible for. Changing to LED lighting is a great way to do just this, as it is much more environmentally friendly in comparison to other types of bulb as well as offering a longer lifespan than conventional filament bulbs. 

Most bulbs, especially other types of energy saving bulbs take a few minutes or more to reach their maximum brightness. This can be very annoying, especially if you desire light straight away to carry out tasks at hand. Whereas LED bulbs emit their full brightness almost instantly.

You can have more control over your lighting if you opt for LED bulbs, this is because they are very compatible with control systems that will allow you to operate the bulb by any percentage of their rated power, so you have the freedom to dim your lights as much as you desire. Plus, dimming the light will improve their total lifespan, because as the power is reduced, they get even more efficient

DESIGNER TIP: To maximise the flexibility of your lighting scheme, opt for multiple lamps with dimmable bulbs – that way you can set the perfect mood at different times of the day.