How to Light Your Space Like a Design Pro

With so many lighting options available, choosing the right pieces for your home can be tricky. So we’ve put together the top 5 tips from our design consultants to help you get switched on to expert lighting design.

Every room or zone in your house has its own function, so before you buy that gorgeous pendant or lamp, think about what the space is used for and the kind of mood or ambience you want to create.

With most of us living in open plan homes, many different tasks are often carried out in just one room. It’s not unusual to be doing your work sitting on a sofa in the lounge area, at the dining table or in bed. Kids are often doing their homework in the kitchen, which may also be your eating area.

Dimmers are absolutely essential to be able to create different atmospheres in different rooms anytime of the day or night. So which lights should you put on dimmers and where? First, imagine how you use each room. If you entertain guests for dinner a lot, you may want to start the night with a light at a certain level over the dining table and then dim the lights as the night progresses. Alternatively, you may want to crank those lights up if you’re working or reading the newspaper.

In the bathroom, good task lighting is essential for grooming, but it’s also nice to turn it down when you’re relaxing in the bath after a long day. And don’t forget the bedroom where mood lighting is all-important. Dimmable pendants either side of the bed will create a relaxing ambience that can also be increased for reading.

In the living and dining areas, the aim is to strike a balance between functional and mood lighting. Create pools of light by layering lighting options such as table lamps next to a sofa or bed, and a floor lamp in a reading nook. Place a light somewhere near the TV, so you’re not just looking at the glow of the screen.

Although kitchen lighting has to be functional, there is a place for mood lighting, with the warm and inviting glow of LED strips under or around cabinets a very popular option.

In the bathroom, the rule of thumb is to light from both sides of your face to avoid any shadowing. So mix your overhead lighting with lights on the wall either side of the mirror.

Globes come in different colour temperatures. Warm light is perfect for areas when you want to feel relaxed such as living, dining or bedroom spaces. Cool light is great for task areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. You can mix it up, but if you have a big open plan space, such as a kitchen, living and dining combo, you should use the same colour temperature throughout the entire area.