Why is lighting so important in your home?
A space can truly be transformed when the right lighting is completed. The fittings themselves – whether metallic or fashioned from colourful glass – can be showstoppers. But along with style, they offer functionality, plus the opportunity to give a room a new lease of life without the expense of re-decoration or new furniture.
Colour can change the ambience of a room: darker hues radiate comfort and cosiness, while brighter shades provide a sense or spaciousness. It can also affect our mood, which is why designers are currently using a variety of hues, from bright yellows and oranges, which many associate with positivity, to cooler blues which are believed to be comforting.
Lighting can be one of the last things people consider when designing the interior of their home, even though it can have a colossal impact on a space’s look and feel. Selecting the ideal lighting will depend on a number of factors, including furniture, flooring, mirrors, ceiling heights, natural daylight, window location, window designs – and, most importantly, the desired atmosphere you want to create.
What is trending in kitchen lighting?
There’s a host of themes being cooked up in the kitchen: from industrial-style fittings in bold blacks or even ceramic pastels, to the evergreen pendant lighting, especially when perfectly placed over table areas or central islands and with oversized shades or on-trend orb shapes.
One noticeable new trend is strip lighting. LED lights can be fixed almost anywhere and create a subtle glow where strategically placed - from beneath countertops to under cabinet kickboards – offering practicality, style and colour co-ordination.
Downlights continue to provide a subtle source of brightness, while those whose kitchens lead to dining and family areas may opt for more glamorous and ornate fittings, like glass chandeliers.
Study up on home office lighting
Lighting is important in every room but especially so in a home-based workspace. With more of us working remotely, we need features that lift the mood and boost our productivity – rather than poor lighting which can cause eye strain.
You might not always want a central ceiling fitting which could create glare on your monitor or laptop (although this is handy if the room doubles as an office-come-guest room). Potential alternatives include a floor lamp, which subtly brightens the entire room, or an adjustable desk lamp that provides focused light when you need to pore over documents or designs.
Again, subtle LED strips can make an appearance, offering more subdued lighting and mood-influencing colours.
How does smart lighting work?
Smart lighting systems connect to your home via the Wi-Fi network, allowing you to operate your lights through a smartphone app. You can adjust the colour temperature and intensity of individual bulbs, change their colour, or even set up schedules so they switch on and off at chosen times. As an added ‘security’ bonus, you can activate the lights when you’re away to make it look like someone is at home.
Some smart lighting is compatible with ‘Smart Home’ systems like Amazon Echo or Google Home, which means operating it is easier still, using voice commands.
One of the great beauties of smart lighting is that you can control all the bulbs or strips, either one-by-one or as a block. You can also create specific lights, for instance for ‘movie night’, dimming everything except back-lighting around the TV.
On trend wall lights
Wall lights come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, offering a more understated lighting form and imaginative touch to any home.
Industrial styles continue to trend, particularly black and brass fixtures holding globes, and uplighters are still popular in a range of textures such as metals, plaster, wood and glass. Artistic shapes come in fluid swirls, and uber-contemporary cage-framed fittings.
But wall lights are no longer restricted to smaller versions of lamps and light-fittings. Today, they’re just as likely to come in the form of strips, blocks (some in plaster so you can paint them the colour of your choice) vertical glass tubes and minimalist metal light sticks. Fluid and flowing lines inspired by rippling water and foliage designs embracing natural patterns are all on-trend to create calming solutions and creative focal points.
Dazzle with designer ceiling lights
Ceiling lights were once merely functional, but now they’re increasingly the focus of a room, making statements and creating drama.
Elegant and extravagant fittings are emerging in every style, from contemporary to ‘cottagecore’, inspired by a traditional, rural way of living.
The most dynamic designs are works of art. They include surface-mounted luminous pebbles or glossy silver teardrops that reflect light emitted onto them by the cantilever arm with LED light source. There are also interlinked circles or glowing platforms, even hanging light-fixture links chained together.
Yet the crystal chandelier remains much-loved in a variety of guises. The on-trend version of this classic chandelier for 2022 features smoked glass pieces, mixed with bronze or brass details, framing the whole piece.
Outdoor lighting to set the mood
As the garden increasingly becomes that fifth room in the home, many of us place a strong importance on how it’s lit, both during daytime and evening. The right choice can truly bring it to life, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor, creating a welcoming area or simply a beautiful backdrop.
In the garden, more than other spaces which we design, elegance often meets functionality. Linear lighting beneath the edges of a path not only creates a ‘floating’ effect; it highlights an area that should be kept clear. A set of contemporary fence lights can help illuminate boring fence panels and will create a feature. Rather than merely defining the area, they add a welcome hint of night-time colour.
Think about spotlights on steps, uplighting on trees, or cosy lamps and lanterns around your outdoor seating areas. Add interest to a patio space with lamps or illuminated ornaments, using them to highlight key features like your favourite plants. Or use twinkling festoon lights to draw attention to a garden pergola that's set up for alfresco dining.
We currently have a number of lighting options for you to choose from when you select your interior options and choices via My Redrow – the members areas of Redrow.co.uk. Plus we’re looking at even more lighting options for you to choose from to personalise your home interior – so watch this space!
