Decorating
12 Ways Lighting Can Add Mood and Drama to Your Home
Ambient, task and accent lighting – layer them up to create different moods or emphasise key features in your home
Ever decorated a room, only to find there’s something missing? It could well be the lighting. The types of lights you choose and the placement of them can affect the whole personality of a space. Here are some clever design tips to help you give your home that extra radiance.
Illuminate a wall
This LED splashback packs a punch in a simple white kitchen. LED lighting has opened up so many possibilities for walls and splashbacks. Choose one with a colour-changing feature on a remote control, or a patterned front screen, and take your kitchen décor to a new level.
Alternatively, you could combine concealed LED lighting tape with a bright acrylic or glass splashback for a zingy effect.
Keen to know more about LED lighting? Read this beginner’s guide
This LED splashback packs a punch in a simple white kitchen. LED lighting has opened up so many possibilities for walls and splashbacks. Choose one with a colour-changing feature on a remote control, or a patterned front screen, and take your kitchen décor to a new level.
Alternatively, you could combine concealed LED lighting tape with a bright acrylic or glass splashback for a zingy effect.
Keen to know more about LED lighting? Read this beginner’s guide
Change the angle
Directional lights are a great way to mix up the mood and effect of your lighting.
This tripod lamp makes a statement whether it’s lit or not, but by angling the head you can create an uplighter effect for background lighting or direct it over your shoulder while reading.
Directional lights are a great way to mix up the mood and effect of your lighting.
This tripod lamp makes a statement whether it’s lit or not, but by angling the head you can create an uplighter effect for background lighting or direct it over your shoulder while reading.
Cosy up with candlelight
This is a charming use of multiple mirrors and lanterns, creating a cosy and welcoming passageway.
For a safer and more convenient alternative to real flames, try remote-control LED candles.
This is a charming use of multiple mirrors and lanterns, creating a cosy and welcoming passageway.
For a safer and more convenient alternative to real flames, try remote-control LED candles.
Go up and down
This sinuous staircase deserves to be shown off. These decorative wall washers (wall lights that shine both upwards and downwards) throw interesting light and shadow across the walls to create a feature of the space.
Wall washers can create a more uniform look when grouped together.
This sinuous staircase deserves to be shown off. These decorative wall washers (wall lights that shine both upwards and downwards) throw interesting light and shadow across the walls to create a feature of the space.
Wall washers can create a more uniform look when grouped together.
Create a relaxing space
The stunning tub in this grand bathroom is accented with cool white drop pendant lights and micro spotlights in the floor.
LEDs make almost anything possible, but always ensure you hire an electrician for specialist lighting, especially for bathrooms and kitchens.
Find more ways to turn your bathroom into a peaceful haven
The stunning tub in this grand bathroom is accented with cool white drop pendant lights and micro spotlights in the floor.
LEDs make almost anything possible, but always ensure you hire an electrician for specialist lighting, especially for bathrooms and kitchens.
Find more ways to turn your bathroom into a peaceful haven
Reflect the light
Combining light with mirrors or polished metals creates a high-impact effect, intensifying the light through reflection and sparkle.
Create a similar look by using part-mirrored globe bulbs or light fittings. You could also try mirrored wall sconces, or angled spotlights that shine onto or skim across a mirrored surface.
Combining light with mirrors or polished metals creates a high-impact effect, intensifying the light through reflection and sparkle.
Create a similar look by using part-mirrored globe bulbs or light fittings. You could also try mirrored wall sconces, or angled spotlights that shine onto or skim across a mirrored surface.
Mix it up in the bedroom
Sculptural wall lights create a symmetrical focal point in this bedroom, and free up space on the bedside tables where lamps would have been placed.
Crystal light fittings on a dimmer are perfect for winding down at night. For practical task lighting, downlights can be brighter to get you started for the day.
Discover three ideas for adding drama to your bedroom
Sculptural wall lights create a symmetrical focal point in this bedroom, and free up space on the bedside tables where lamps would have been placed.
Crystal light fittings on a dimmer are perfect for winding down at night. For practical task lighting, downlights can be brighter to get you started for the day.
Discover three ideas for adding drama to your bedroom
Colour with lights
This cool grey scheme really comes alive when the lights are switched on. The table lamp creates a soft, cosy glow and radiates a touch of pink, which is perfectly complemented by the art and accessories. The colourful cluster lights are the star here, though.
Think about which colour your shade or pendant will throw when lit and experiment with either warm white or cool white LED bulbs to get the best effect.
This cool grey scheme really comes alive when the lights are switched on. The table lamp creates a soft, cosy glow and radiates a touch of pink, which is perfectly complemented by the art and accessories. The colourful cluster lights are the star here, though.
Think about which colour your shade or pendant will throw when lit and experiment with either warm white or cool white LED bulbs to get the best effect.
Glam it up
Feel like a Hollywood star when you put on your face in the morning with the classic dressing room mirror. The bulbs around the edge create a soft, balanced reflection and make a statement in this beautiful dressing room.
Go for warm white bulbs to enhance your skin tone.
Feel like a Hollywood star when you put on your face in the morning with the classic dressing room mirror. The bulbs around the edge create a soft, balanced reflection and make a statement in this beautiful dressing room.
Go for warm white bulbs to enhance your skin tone.
Soften with a wall of lights
The LED spotlights in this built-in unit emphasise the decorative accessories. These are combined with concealed LED strip lighting at skirting board level and the flickering fire. The overall look is relaxed and soft, and won’t strain anyone’s eyes when they’re watching a film.
Choose warm white bulbs for living and bedroom spaces, and cool white ones for kitchens and bathrooms.
The LED spotlights in this built-in unit emphasise the decorative accessories. These are combined with concealed LED strip lighting at skirting board level and the flickering fire. The overall look is relaxed and soft, and won’t strain anyone’s eyes when they’re watching a film.
Choose warm white bulbs for living and bedroom spaces, and cool white ones for kitchens and bathrooms.
Showcase your garden
Whether you use floodlights to highlight your walls, fairy lights in your trees, or even pond or fountain lighting, the interplay of foliage, textured walls and clever lighting can really elevate your home’s appearance.
The right garden lighting can create a sociable and memorable atmosphere for late night barbecues or a tranquil evening watching the stars. Throw lights into corners and hide spotlights behind trees to create silhouettes and intriguing shadows.
TELL US…
How have you used lighting in your home? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
Whether you use floodlights to highlight your walls, fairy lights in your trees, or even pond or fountain lighting, the interplay of foliage, textured walls and clever lighting can really elevate your home’s appearance.
The right garden lighting can create a sociable and memorable atmosphere for late night barbecues or a tranquil evening watching the stars. Throw lights into corners and hide spotlights behind trees to create silhouettes and intriguing shadows.
TELL US…
How have you used lighting in your home? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
The LED strip lights under this kitchen island create an ethereal effect, and make it appear to float. The lighting scheme also highlights the well-finished cabinetry and joinery details.
You can buy LED tape flex strip lights from most large hardware stores. They can be cut to size and come with an adaptor that you plug straight into the wall.