Ideas for Approaching Home Lighting

Adding layers slowly to a home to reflect individual style and personality is what transforms a house into a unique space. Lighting is one of the key elements in the fabric of our interiors, both in terms of form and function. It has a huge impact on the overall look and feel of our spaces and can have a profound effect on how we live in our homes. Illuminating spaces thoughtfully and strategically can bring each room to life, add comfort and atmosphere, and enable us to perform our daily tasks efficiently.
Credit | And Studio
P l a n
Whether you have a new build, renovation or are refreshing areas of your home, taking time to consider the functionality of your spaces, and planning how you want your home to look and feel is a good place to start. Consider how natural light can be harnessed throughout your home whether through decorating, simplifying window dressings or using mirrors to amplify light. Natural light is a beautiful and important resource in any home, and how you use, shape and optimise it can make or break an interior.
Home lighting should enhance the best assets of a home both functionally and aesthetically, serving a purpose appropriate to the room’s functionality, as well as having decorative appeal. Planning carefully what additional lighting is needed in each room is key to maximising the lighting in your home and anchoring and elevating the whole space. The ever-changing nature of light in houses through times of day and seasons, can benefit from the flexibility of dimmable lighting. Different occasions call for different moods, and dimmers allow for scenes to be set in an instant.
Credit | Rowen & Wren
Credit | Pinterest
B a l a n c e
When choosing lighting to work across the home, finding a cohesive element such as style, shape, colour or material to tie each room and selection together can establish a visual thread between the pieces. This helps to create balance and harmony throughout the interiors, as well as simplifying decision making. Invest in lighting that you love, to add colour, texture and personality to your home and bring everything together. It is also important to balance scale and proportion and choose lighting which feels balanced in your spaces.
Credit | Graham and Green
Credit | Emma Grant
Credit | deVOL Kitchens
L a y e r
While we often start with overhead lighting, the merits of other sources for task and mood lighting in our homes should not be overlooked. To optimise light and atmosphere, layering different light sources and levels adds depth and visual interest, while offering versatility and flexibility. Consider floors, ceilings, walls and surfaces and aim to create moments with your lighting to illuminate different areas and work with the purpose of the room. Layering lighting across the home with floor lamps, table lamps and wall lights, as well as pendants (ideally with dimmers), helps to create mood and bring spaces to life. Lighting can be subtle and low key, softly illuminating a room, or be used to amplify spaces and act as a visual statement or focal point. Integrating different lighting types brings an instant feeling of thoughtfulness and dimension, so cultivating this layered scheme is vital.
Credit | Betsy Brown
Credit | Natalie Page
Credit | Phoebe Nicol
V i n t a g e
Vintage lighting is an affordable and sustainable choice, with a carbon footprint that is far lower than buying newly made pieces. With its brilliant spectrum of design styles, vintage lighting adds instant appeal and creates unique and interesting interiors. From original antique chandeliers to vintage wall lights, what makes these pieces so special is not only the quality of the materials and craftsmanship, but the wonderful character created by the gentle passing of time. Consider converting and repurposing pieces to create one of a kind lamp bases, and dress with handmade or reclaimed shades to create a distinctive look. Unique and beautiful lighting can also act as a focal point, anchoring a space and creating impact. When chosen well, these pieces can travel with you through a lifetime of houses.
Credit | Will & Bea
Credit | Will & Bea
Credit | Kiln Home
Credit | Will & Bea
Credit | Phoebe Nicol
C a n d l e l i g h t
Candlelight is a simple and inexpensive way to add ambience and create a calm and relaxing feeling in your home. From scented candles or tapers, to a scattering of tea lights, twinkling candlelight creates cosiness and adds an extra glow to all areas of the home across the seasons.
Credit | The White Company
Credit | Will & Bea
Lighting sets the mood of a home and is instrumental in creating atmosphere and visibility. It is a vital element that takes time and consideration to get right so is always worth investing time in thoughtful planning. As with all areas of home decorating, be patient and prepared to wait for the right pieces. Be timeless and classic and avoid trends, staying true to your own style and values. Allowing a home to evolve over time is what gives it personality, depth, and charm.
For further lighting inspiration browse our Pinterest gallery. You can also find a small curation of lighting in our online store, carefully sourced, one piece at a time to bring immersive moments of comfort and calm to your home.
Credit | Patina Farm
Light is the first essential. Light stimulates, nourishes, preserves.
– Wilkie Collins –