When you’re trying to breathe new life into a space, making the right decisions can feel impossible. And whether it’s a few changes here and there or you’re starting a project from scratch, lighting is always one of the most important factors to consider.
Not only does carefully chosen lighting help to maximise the space you have available, but it can leave a lasting impression. It’s estimated that at least 88% of Brits invested in home renovations in 2022, and this year is expected to be busy on the DIY front too. So, before you get stuck in with browsing the latest lighting collections, make sure you check our advice first.
Designer lighting in home interiors: Our top tips
1. Consider the size of the room
From the initial planning stages to the final tweaks, the decisions you make will be determined by the size of the room you’re working with. Illuminating a small room is a completely different process, and you’ll need to think about a few extra things when you’re lighting a large or tall space like an entrance hallway.
2. Think about purpose and period
Next, you’ll need to think about making sure that your chosen lighting not only reflects the period of the property but makes a practical addition too. For example, if you’re adding stylish lighting to a cosy vintage cottage, you wouldn’t want to choose industrial-style, aluminium light fittings. Opt instead for natural materials and calm, neutral colours.
3. Use lamps as statement pieces
Part of this process is making sure that you choose lights that look just as good turned off as they do when they’re on. In any interior, lighting can become a work of art if you choose lamp shades that complement your décor and themes within the home.
Why not double up with a small pair of wall lamps boasting matching mini lamp shades? Once you’ve picked a theme, choosing either a matching or contrasting lamp (and lamp shade) will finish the look in an authentic, eye-catching way.
4. Match your colour scheme
Next, you don’t want your new lighting to create an unwelcome contrast in an interior you’ve worked hard to create. By choosing the right lamp bases and lamp shades, it’s possible to strike the perfect balance and draw just enough attention to the colours within your home.
For example, warm, soft tones make a wonderful choice for cosy spaces, while brighter hues could be more useful in practical settings like the kitchen.
5. Highlight your favourite features
Feature lighting can make an immediate design statement. Whether that’s an elegant floor lamp in the hallway or a brass picture light carefully placed above your favourite artworks, lighting is a fantastic way to show your visitors what’s important to you.
6. Choose a chandelier
One of the best ways to elevate a smaller living room is to use a chandelier. Placed on the most central part of the ceiling, a designer chandelier exudes style and confidence. What’s more, chandeliers can open up a space and reflect light in multiple directions, offering an intriguing aspect from any corner of the room.
7. Boost your mood and productivity
If you spend a lot of time working from home or you’re particularly sensitive to how your surroundings affect your feelings, it’s important to remember the role of lighting. When table lamps and ceiling lights are placed effectively, they can carry a profound impact on your ability to focus – along with your conference call background, too.
Taking some time to learn how lighting can affect your mood could be extremely useful for your renovation or redecoration project.
8. Give the room purpose
Lastly, it’s important to know about the difference between accent, ambient, and task lighting.
Where accent lighting highlights certain features or areas within a space, ambient lighting provides general illumination for a room. And task lighting is a little bit more specific, too – like a lamp placed on your desk specifically for reading.
With these definitions in mind, you should try to combine at least two types of lighting in your interior to give the space character and purpose. Once you’ve mastered these techniques, your lights and lampshades could become the most memorable features in your home.