As Autumn draws in and we lose natural light, our interior lighting becomes so important. We are seeking a cosy, soft and inviting light to counteract the grey outdoors. Check out a previous post https://interiorharmonyblog.com/2019/04/28/lights-a-wow-factor/ which outlines the different ways to light a space through practical fixtures and those that give a wow factor. There are so many choices which can be confusing and there is a chance you may revert to something straightforward instead of going for  a statement piece that adds style to a room.

What Does the Light Do?

There are three key kinds of lighting, general functional lighting which mainly comes from the ceiling in the form of pendants, down lights and recessed fixtures; second is task lighting for work areas, kitchen benches, bathrooms and reading; and finally, ambient lighting – use sconces, small lamps, lighting in cabinets, or simply put fairy lights in a big glass jar. It is the ambient light that gives a sense of warmth to a room during the winter months.

Pendants

I love making a statement with pendants but you need to consider the height of the ceiling. A good rule is to allow around a 2 meter clearance so that you don’t knock the light. If you are putting them in a kitchen, consider how you will clean them, you should make sure they are enclosed and away from the main cooking areas. For bathrooms, consider oyster fixtures as they can soften the bright central lighting.

 

 

Add Some Drama

There are some great lampshades and light fixtures these days and you can find them in DIY stores and homewares stores but don’t forget to visit fleamarkets, even charity shops as you can often find wonderful lamp bases at a third of the cost of something new. You can always change the lampshade. Mix modern with vintage and use different heights and widths. I love multiples of threes as they seem to make a group statement especially if hung at different lengths. Change out the light bulb for softer voltage and tone of light. And then there are always candles which offer a soft glow to a room.