The lighting in your home doesn’t just have to be functional. It’s also a fun and artistic way to refresh your interior, create atmosphere and add more dimension to your space. Here are some of our ideas to brighten up your home with style.
Most living rooms come with a simple pendant ceiling light, but this can be the centrepiece of your space with the right shade. You can find something that perfectly coordinates with your décor, or a homeowner with a taste for elegance might want to indulge in a stunning chandelier – a symbol of luxury and glamour. Dimmer switches are also perfect for creating an ambient effect.
Lamps create a cosier atmosphere, with lots of people opting for this over the ‘big light’. They are best used to enhance and illuminate your decorative style, but with the right design and placement, they can easily become a main focal point. If you’ve already got décor in your room that demands attention, it’s best to choose a lamp that harmonises with your taste rather than competing for the spotlight. If your room is starved of an eye-catching item, then a large, unique, or glamorous lamp will change this with the flick of a switch – think extravagant chrome designs and jewel embellishments. The corner of a room offers lots of unused space for floor lamps, so is great for tripods or other lights that demand more floor area. Alternatively, a well-placed table lamp can be just as charming!
Spotlights and under-cupboard fitted lights are a practical and stylish way to bring light to your kitchen. Hidden discreetly under cabinets, they provide focal lights for your worktops. A similar effect can be achieved with task lighting – spotlights or LED strips that are focused on specific areas of your kitchen, such as the cooker, sink, or an area of the worktop. Alternatively, you can add lights at the bottom of your cabinets for stylish floor lighting, which creates ambience and depth in your kitchen.
If you have a kitchen island or a dining table, consider adding pendant lights to create a centrepiece in the room. You can hang them at different levels to add depth, and the great thing about pendant lights is the sheer number of options and styles you have.
A carefully chosen lampshade for your pendant light can tie your whole bedroom together. With an abundance of styles to choose from, you can find something to match every aesthetic.
LED lighting can be used to add vibrancy and dimension to your room. Perfect for adding a splash of vibrancy, you can place it around whichever feature you’d like to enhance and change the colour depending on your mood. A popular choice is around the base of a bed frame, or to level up a gaming set-up!
A bedside lamp or string lights are perfect for creating a cosy and relaxing environment. Wall lamps are also a great way to achieve an elegant look without requiring surface space. It’s also an ideal choice if you’re someone who stays up to read in bed, as it's less bothersome to anyone you share a bedroom with. For bedrooms, we’d recommend using warmer bulbs, as warm light helps you relax and get ready for sleep.
Your hallway is most likely the first impression people get of your home, so you want it to set a welcoming tone.
The type of light you choose might depend on the size of your hallways. For example, you might consider an ample ceiling light, such as a chandelier, for a wider hallway. This gives your home a sense of grandeur and luxury. For something simpler, or something more light-dispersing, a simple pendant light is a classic choice and can be found in a myriad of styles.
If you wish to make your hallway look longer, evenly spaced wall lights or spotlights are ideal for illuminating the entire space. Alternatively, accent lighting can be used to highlight key features such as paintings or shelves in your hallway, drawing the eye to your treasured displays.
Should you want to add an extra layer of security to your home, think about using smart lighting. Some smart lights can switch your lights on or off at will, even when you’re away from home. Moreover, you can set specific times for them to operate. Since your hallway is likely to be the entrance to your property, this is a brilliant idea if you’re concerned about unwanted guests.
For more ideas on how to brighten up your home, look through our Lighting department and check out some tips on picking the right pendant or shade.
