Lighting is an essential component you must consider when you’re building, renovating or simply redecorating. And it’s never been easier to find just the right light for a particular job. There is a huge range of styles and prices on offer from big national homeware retailers and specialist lighting retailers. You’re sure to find the perfect mix of lighting to make your home glow.
- Water features are often the most eye-catching feature in a courtyard. But they can fade to black once the sun goes down. You’ll find loads of spotlights designed for underwater use that will let your water feature sparkle through the night.
- Kitchen lighting needs to be bright but unobtrusive. Downlights placed over working benches so they won’t cast shadows and can reflect off the splashback are ideal.
- In the Bedroom simple recessed downlights on dimmers will let you set the ambience. Add individually switched table or floor lamps to allow you to read while other half gently drifts off to the land of nod. Dimmers on the lamps also give you more mood control.
- Don’t be limited by labels. The tags may say table lamps, but there’s nothing to stop you putting lamps on the floor, particularly strikingly unusual pieces that add surprises. And don’t be afraid to add contemporary lights to a more traditional room particularly when the lamps hint at period shapes.
- Use your lighting to add drama to a room. Here a pair of spotlights punch light onto a vase of flowers, both highlighting them and projecting strong shadows on the walls and surrounds. Show off your spotlights if they fit in with the decor or hide them behind furniture and use shadows and silhouettes for stunning effects.
- When all you want is a calming wash of light bounced off the ceiling, uplights with a dimmer are the go. Move them where you want, tilt the head to the right angle and set the mood.
- By mounting downlights in the tops of cabinets you can unobtrusively highlight pieces you want to put on show. Or put lovely lamps on display by grouping them to create a glowing arrangement. And don’t forget when you’re building in shelving to add a power point or two.
- Floor lamps come in all sorts of shapes sizes. They can even add a sculptural element when you choose pieces like these glowing columns or use tall wired paper shades. You’ll even find lamps which take reflector globes that can create lovely pools of light on the ceiling.