28,197 Lighting

There are a few uniform principles to lighting: ceiling lights cast the best even light across the whole room, wall lights are ideal for a softer feel and highlighting features on the wall, downlighters and spotlights are the most subtle installations but punch above their weight when it comes to ceiling lights’ illumination, and floor and table lamps are perfect for flexible lighting or driving the shadows from a dark corner. We discuss the UK’s most popular lighting choices so you can see what all the fuss is about.

LED lights

Long-lasting, energy-efficient and reliable for instant, steady light, LED lights have become the bulb of choice for many ceiling lights, wall lights and lamps. The downside to LED lighting is that the white light LED bulbs emit can appear cold and clinical in comparison with halogen or incandescent bulbs. A warm-toned lampshade can help to filter and alleviate the light quality of an LED bulb when used for ceiling lights, while recessed lighting are also effective at absorbing some of the harshness of LED strip lights and bulbs.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers are hard to beat for adding opulence and drama to a room. The style has evolved from the traditional crystal version to include chic, contemporary and even whimsical designs. As well as serving as being a stunning statement lighting piece, a chandelier is also excellent for casting even light so is a great choice for ceiling lights if you want a well-lit room. Why not consider hanging your chandelier from a hook in the ceiling? This will allow you to adjust its height for varying degrees of drama and practicality.

Table lamps and floor lamps

Serving both practical and decorative functions in the home, table and floor lamps offer the perfect finishing touch to any room’s lighting design, and can either be used as the sole lighting source in the room or as an addition to ceiling or wall lights. They offer versatility in every aspect – they can be moved around if required, and lampshades can be changed to match updates to your interior decor. Some statement pieces like Tiffany lamps can become a room feature in their own right and could take centre stage on an elegant side table. Tall lamps benefit from larger shades for balance – oversized drum shades work especially well on slim bases – and tapered shapes go well with ornate, traditional bases. While translucent lampshades are best for lighting and illumination, if your lamp is being used instead as an accent piece, in addition to ceiling lights or wall lights, why not try an opaque shade for drama and contrast. For more practical lighting needs like bedside lamps and desk lamps, a style you love can complete the theme of a room while ensuring they will serve their purpose and offer sufficient light.

Pendant lights

Pendant lights are a popular contemporary design choice. Form and function meet in these ceiling lights, that can be as understated or as dramatic as you choose them to be, depending on placement and your chosen shades. Pendant lights work particularly well hung low over dining tables, offering illumination that’s pleasant without being too bright (the holy grail of dining lighting). Choose a simple and stunning statement pendant light in copper, metal or glass or cluster several complementary pendants together at varying heights. Pendant lighting can also be a fantastically practical and attractive option for hanging above a kitchen island – an adjustable height pendant lamp will ensure you can prepare food with ease.

Fairy lights

Although synonymous with festive decor and children’s rooms, fairy lights can offer a superb and atmospheric finishing touch to any room – and with today’s battery and solar powered fairy lights you have almost endless ways to display them. While you can opt to hang them around windows and door frames, also try arranging them in a glass vase for charming table lighting or fireplace decoration, or even twist them into shapes or words and pin them on the wall to become decorative wall lights. Twinkling lights wrapped around tree trunks and branches can be a beautiful decor choice and for a touch of romance you can drape them over a headboard for gentle bedroom lighting.

Whether you’re looking for kitchen lighting ideas, installing some new wall lights or ceiling lights, or simply looking for floor lamps and table lamps to add a bit more ambience to your home, discover the thousands of lighting products available on Houzz from top lighting brands and stores to find the right light for you.