Lighting your home is probably one of the most important things to consider when redecorating. After all, the light in a room can in turn make it soft and sexy – or bright and clinical.
That makes a big difference when trying to seduce someone – or interrogate them! It can be the perfect shade for reading in an oxblood armchair, or for taking a nap in front of the TV. It can lend itself to wild raves and midnight booze fuelled parties, or to flower pressing on a Sunday afternoon. In short, your light fixtures are not only a decorative feature, but a functional consideration, as the interior designers would say!
If you want a relaxed room with a soft light, then make sure to opt for a dimmer switch so that you can turn it up and down. Used shaded lamps and lots of them, preferably with a yellowy bulb. I personally like the Emily lamp from House of Fraser (pictured above), which casts a warm glow and has a nice classic design. For more modern homes, the red shade of the (above) stylised IKEA lamp will cast a warm and earthy patina.
For studying situations, you will no doubt need a good bright light that doesn’t blind you. If you are anything like me you will probably need a brain transplant too, but what can we do?! In this case a desk lamp is the obvious option, offering directed light – but a low hanging ceiling light could work well too. The pendant shade from Habitat is a beautiful and faintly industrial option to hang above your desk, whilst people who love desk lamps are sure to be addicted to this banker lamp from B&Q, which is quite frankly gorgeous!
Finally, how about some atmospheric lighting? You know, the kind that has lots of fancy bits or which makes an architectural statement, but which doesn’t actually have much of a specific purpose. My favourite type of lighting, if I am honest, because you can go completely ostentatious and over the top with it! I am always drawn to gothic chandeliers like this House of Fraser beauty, but you may prefer something clean and modern like the pebble shaped Habitat Turin wall light, or the absurd Anemone creation from B&Q. Go wild!