Light works
Need a new light in your life? Latest Interiors have the lowdown on how to make the switch from dull and gloomy to light and sexy
Spire lamp with gold leaf shade £165, Design Studio, 58 Western Road, Hove, 01273 206123
Feeling down in the dumps? It might be time to lighten up. The right lighting can make your home feel bigger, brighter, and generally nicer to spend time in. Just like paint or wallpaper, lighting is part of your décor – few other home elements have such immediate impact on mood and comfort. If you want to get the light right, read on.
Light touch
The artificial light that surrounds us is known as ‘ambient’. Best produced through a variety of sources, it supplements or replaces natural light. Recessed downlights, standard lamps and central pendants can be used together with other forms of light to create an atmosphere and warmth.
From a selection of amazing lamps from £29.99, Ivy White, 45 Church Road, Hove, 01273 203202, www.ivywhite.com
Many of us get ambient light wrong – too little, and it can make large, warm rooms seem dark and cold. Get it right, and you can double the sense of sunlight streaming through the windows. If hallways or bathrooms (difficult places to combine light sources) are dark and dingy, use high wattage light bulbs – you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. In contrast, accent light – low-level and focused – is used to highlight points or features of interest. Backlighting a recessed area to display flowers, or illuminating a favourite picture, are examples of this. Task lighting supports specific activities such as reading or food preparation, using targeted light sources with bright, directional beams such as angled lamps and recessed downlights. Finally, information light provides direction or help. Stair, hall, outdoors or door lights fall into this category.
Leaf table lamps, £tbc, Rocha. John Rocha for Debenhams, www.debenhams.com
Brighten up
Be creative: Think about lighting as you would paint, colour or furniture. Decide on where you need task or accent light, which areas you want to highlight, and draw up a lighting plan. The colour of light can also make a difference toyour home, mood and maybe even (if colour therapists are to be believed) health. Shades of blue are calming and promote sleep, red can be stimulating, orange lifts the mood and pink is calming (not to mention flattering, if entertaining a new beau at home, pink lightbulbs create an anti-ageing, flattering glow!).
Small Gypsy Chandelier – Add a burst of colour with this gorgeous 5 arm chandelier! Ideal for those with limited space. Also available in Clear and Black. £49 from Velvet, 29 Bond Street, Brighton or buy online www.velvetstore.co.uk
Keep task, accent and information lighting discreet and functional, but go to town with ambient light sources. Use colour and shape to change the feel of a space. Large, architectural lights and pendants are still in favour, and look out for modern twists on traditional chandeliers. Natural materials are also coming back in style, shells, wood and even basketwork (an update on good old table lamps!) are all in the high street.
Go outside
Don’t neglect outside spaces in your lighting plan: Use outdoors task lights for eating areas, accent light to showcase trees or other features, and create a soft, ambient glow with twinkly tree lights, light strings and hurricane lamps.
