Light Buying Guide

Let there be light

The right room lighting can transform your home. From fixtures and placement to brightness and colour, there are oh-so-many things to consider when choosing the best lighting for your humble abode. We’ve done all the hustling and put together this handy light buying guide which is full of bright ideas if we do say so ourselves. So, sit back, relax and let us en-lighten you (sorry) with all the lighting ideas one could ever need.

The lowdown on lighting types

From accent lighting (no, not the Brummie/Scottish kind) to task lighting and beyond, there’s a lot of lighting lingo out there. Wondering what on earth it all means? Wonder no more, because what do you think we’re here for…

  • Ambient Lighting

    Ambient lighting ensures you never have to put on the big light. Think table and floor lamps, chandeliers and ceiling pendants for the ultimate mood lighting. Ambient lighting provides a soft glow without that horrible, harsh glare.

  • Task Lighting

    Task lighting does what it says on the tin. From illuminating a WFH setup (hello desk lamp) to under-cabinet lighting or a good ol’ fashioned reading light, task lighting answers your ‘extra lighting’ home prayers.

  • Accent Lighting

    Accent lighting is all about drawing attention to the star of the space and enhancing room details. From showing off a prized painting to highlighting a nook, wall sconces and spotlights will do the trick.

Wall and ceiling lighting explained

Whether you’re nested in a spotlight-loving new build home or a Victorian property with dramatically high ceilings, picking the right ceiling and wall light style that’ll compliment (not clash with) your property is key.

  • Chandelier

    If they’re good enough for royalty… Chandeliers are a statement-making light feature that add a regal finish to boudoirs (bedroom in non-royal speak) and are known for creating beautiful light effects across ceilings.

  • Pendant

    Pendants work best when suspended from high ceilings, between landings or above a kitchen island or dining table. Create a focal point in your room by hanging a trio of pendants.

  • Flush

    For minimal spaces with low ceilings where you don’t want hanging fixtures, a flush light is the answer. Flush lights lie flat against the ceiling, saving space whilst still making a design statement.

  • Wall

    To make a wall wow, look to a wall light. Perfect for cosy nooks and feature walls, a wall light adds an injection of light to a specific area. Hang one above a piece of wall art or light up a dark hallway with an ambient glow.

The lowdown on lamp types

Lamps are at eye level, making them arguably the most important indoor light purchase of all. From symmetrical bedside lamps you have to sleep next to every single night to that all-important floor lamp, pick wisely...

  • Task Lamp

    You can’t have a desk without a lamp. Sorry, we don’t make the rules. Opt for something small and minimal to avoid overloading the workspace. A task lamp will be your friend on dark and dreary winter days, trust us.

  • Table Lamp

    A console table is a prime place for a table lamp. Add some much-needed ambience to a dark hallway or make a splash in an entranceway with a statement table lamp that sets the tone for the rest of the house.

  • Bedside Lamp

    For a master bedroom, the humble bedside lamp is your lighting hero. Symmetry works best, so always buy in pairs. Opt for as small a base as possible so not to over clutter your bedside table and overwhelm the bed.

  • Floor Lamp

    A floor lamp should be your go-to for darker and shadowy areas to lift the eye up. They’re ideal for compact rooms as they take up minimal floor space, so are ideal for placing next to a sofa or lighting up the corner of a room.

Breaking down lighting by room…

Every room in your home has a different function, so it’s no surprise that room lighting is not a one-size-fits-all jobbie. If you’re new to your space, don’t rush into making big lighting decisions. Lights aren’t something that can easily (or cheaply) be replaced, so ensure you get it right first time with our room-by-room lighting hacks.

Bedroom lighting

Nothing throws the feng shui off quite like putting the big light on to read and then having to get out of bed to turn it off and fumble your way back. Follow this formula to nail your bedroom lighting first time round:
* A ‘big light’ is a must for getting ready on darker days but should be avoided pre-sleep time.
* Symmetrical bedside table lamps are imperative ambient lighting. TIP: Consider the surface space your lamp takes up. The smaller the better to avoid overcrowding your bedside table.
* Use spotlights to light up the inside of a dark wardrobe.
* A task lamp is key for lighting a desk or dressing table area.

Living room lighting

Picking the lights for the living room is arguably the most important lighting task of all. As the hub of the house and the room you spend most of your time in, it’s recommend to include at least three sources of light in your living room. Sound extreme? It operates as a social hub, a wind-down-for-bed hub, and for those with open plan spaces, a kitchen and dining hub, too. Hence the need for three:
* Overhead lighting; spotlights or pendant ceiling lights to spread light around the room.
* Ambient lighting; table lamps or floor lamps to create a relaxed evening atmosphere.
* Task lighting; table or desk lamps for a dedicated WFH space or cosy reading corner.

Home office lighting

Creating a cosy, focused atmosphere at your working from home setup is a must, hence why blasting the big light all day is a no-no. Instead, opt for the task lighting hero… the humble desk lamp. A bright, well-lit desk can help reduce eye strain, fatigue and headaches, so it’s fair to say that getting your energy efficient lighting right is hella important. Plus, you have to stare at said lamp all day, so make sure you pick a good ‘un first time round…

How to pick the perfect lamp for your home

Now you’re all lit up with knowledge, it’s time to send you on your merry way with all the lighting ideas one could ever need. Follow our flowchart to find your home’s new star of the show…

  • Modern Mike

    Modern > traditional any day, right? Modern lighting is all about functional clean lines, a paired back colour palette and a clean aesthetic, so a metal lamp is a must. Good job we stock ‘em for up to 60% less* eh.

  • Minimal Mandy

    A colourful house? Nope, sorry, never heard of it. Your home is all about the *aesthetic*. A neutral colour palette is a non-negotiable, so your lighting need to reflect that. Opt for stone textures and linens over harsh metals and prints.

  • Quirky Quentin

    Life's too short for boring lighting, and nothing makes more of a talking point than a torso for a lamp. Are we right? Inject a splash of fun into a dull corner with a statement lamp from yours truly. Go on, we dare you...

  • Fun Fiona

    If you can't have fun in your own home, then where can you? Ditch the rules and inject a splash of colour or print into a room with the addition of a bold and wonderful lamp.