From practical spot and strip lights to dramatic pendants and versatile lamps, light fittings are an important step in achieving a successful scheme; here's the lowdown on how to illuminate every room and set the right mood...
Feature LAURIE DAVIDSON
How to…
PLAY WITH PATTERN
If you’re hanging pendant lights at a low level, such as over a dining table, a patterned or colourful design will catch the eye and create a talking point. Just be sure to always check the height and width between lights before securing, so they're not an obstruction when seated.
Small Scallop two-tone pendants in Sage/black, from £306 each, David Hunt Lighting
PERFECT AMBIENCE DIAL UP YOUR DÉCOR
Make your lighting the star of your scheme by adding a showpiece such as a statement chandelier or oversized pendant. Place it low enough that its lustre isn’t lost, and if you’re worried about your design blocking a view, opt for one made from clear glass.
Galactica chandelier, £870, Pooky
3. In a kitchen, recess strip lighting into ceilings, along the top of kickplates and under wall cabinets and shelves to create a better-lit workspace. It not only lights dark areas at night, but also gives a 'showroom' feel
KEEP CLEAN LINES
If you love minimalist interiors, why not echo the aesthetic with your lighting? This simple scooped pendant emulates not only the room’s monochrome palette and furnitures’ rounded edges, but also the matt finishes on the accessories. Ruzo 4-light matt black & white porcelain ceiling pendant, £289, Lights&lamps
RAISE THE BAR
A long design rather than the usual round or cone-shape pendant, linear lighting is a super-functional addition in kitchens. Position with its centre point lined up with the middle of your island at a height that won't dazzle if seated around it. Adjustable designs mean you don’t have to commit to a fixed height, or alternatively, choose one that really gives the wow factor by pairing with matching wall lights. Huntington Linear light in aged old bronze, £2,074, Hudson Valley Lighting Group
MAKE IT MODERN
LED strips are a great overhead lighting option for a contemporary look while casting an even glow across a room. With varying styles and lengths, they can also work with integrated smart controls so you can dim and change the colour, too. Linear LED system, from £30 per m, Detail Lighting
TALKING TASK
CREATE BALANCE
Whether for reading, eating or doing homewo
