MAKE IT SHINE

BRIGHTEN YOUR WORLD WITH THESE EIGHT EASY STEPS TO LIGHTING WOW

NO MATTER HOW much money you pour into a makeover or renovation, if your space isn’t lit properly, you’ll never get a truly homely feel. The right lighting can be a powerful tool; with the flick of a switch – or the swipe of a smartphone – you can create an ambient glow to transform the mood of a room or conquer the darkness precisely where you need maximum visibility. Illuminate yourself with our expert guide to getting your lights right.

EXPLORE THE POWER OF WHITE

Choosing the right white is as important for your bulbs as for your walls. “White light varies by colour temperature to produce either a cool or a warm output,” says Simon O’Donnelly of Philips Lighting. “Cool white light is ideal for task-focused lighting, whereas a warmer, softer glow suits accent lighting in living areas.” Although cool light is often perceived as brighter this is not actually the case. “It’s the number of lumens in a globe which determines the actual light output,” says Simon. “An 800-lumen globe, whether it’s a warm or cool white, is ‘brighter’ than a 600-lumen globe.”

SHINE BRIGHT

Think above, below and within when planning your kitchen lighting, suggests Liam Murphy of Kitchens By Design. “Uplighting that sits on top of cabinets and reflects light off the ceiling gives a great effect, as does LED strip lighting,” says Liam. “Shining lights from beneath the cabinets onto a mirrored kickboard bounces wonderful light off the floor and is a great alternative to using overhead lights late at night. Sensor lights for the pantry, scullery or even to light internal cabinets, such as the cutlery drawer, are also incredibly handy.” For lighting inspiration, take a look at this kitchen by Porter Davis.

THINK MINIMAL IN THE BEDROOM

To create a space to unwind, less is more in bedroom lighting. “Place fixtures strategically and use separate switches so you can control the level of light and where you want it,” says Alicia Warren of ECC Lighting + Furniture. To keep the bedside clutter-free, opt for a wall or ceiling-mounted light. As these are typically hardwired into the house, you’ll also free up a power outlet. Alternatively, table lamps are also an easy solution. “For subtle light, a lamp with a fabric shade or frosted glass diffuser is ideal,” says Alicia.

“Or, if you’re a late-night bookworm and your partner isn’t, a dual light with a separate directional reading light and more ambient main light is for you.”

INVEST IN SMART TECHNOLOGY

One of the most exciting innovations in lighting is the wireless wall switch, which talks remotely to a light fitting via a remote or an app. “The benefit of these is, without cabling, they’re much easier to install,” says Adele Locke of Mint Lighting Design. Technology such as the Philips ‘Hue’ wireless system also lets you embrace the full-colour spectrum, operated via your smartphone. “With Hue, you can paint with light in more than 16 million colours, sync the lighting to music, play with ambience and program your lights for easy home automation,” explains Simon O’Donnelly.

“A pendant over the breakfast bar or table will bring the ceiling down and provide a sense of comfort” ~ Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, House Rules judge