Which lighting for which room
General
Whether you want to create a cosy feel, a snug cocooning atmosphere or a modern look at home, every room in the house has one or more types of light fitting that suit it best. Essential and timeless, light fittings play a big part in the overall mood of your interior while adding real character. Yet choosing the ideal light for each room is no easy task, especially given the sheer number of designs that could meet your needs. Pendants, floor lamps, wall lights or table lamps: the choice can quickly become a real dilemma. To make sure every living space is lit to its best, the simplest approach is to follow a few rules designed to make choosing your lighting easier, so that light and décor work in harmony throughout your home.
Which light fitting for the living room?
The living room is all about relaxing, socialising and welcoming guests. The light here needs to be strong enough to illuminate the whole room. Ideally, choose a pendant or a chandelier to light the entire space. True works of art, these fittings give a powerful, widely diffused and elegant light all at once. They come in every material (wood, glass, metal and more) and in a range of styles to match your interior (Scandinavian, futuristic, contemporary and so on). Go for models with halogen, LED or dimmable bulbs so you can adjust the effect to suit your needs and the time of day you are using the room. Beyond ceiling-hung fittings, you can also add wall lights, floor lamps or spotlights with a reading arm, for example to create a comfortable reading corner. This direct light will boost the brightness of your living room while adding a timeless decorative touch.
The perfect light fittings for your dining room
As the dining room is a family space devoted to sharing, warm light fittings that encourage conviviality are the best choice. Whether you live in a flat, a house or a studio, the dining room should be well lit to bring out its sociable character. Prioritise fittings placed above the dining table to light this key piece of furniture. Chandeliers, ceiling lights and pendants are all ideal for a dining room. For a more modern feel, forget the classic designs and be bold with glass box ceiling lights, cosmic-style pendants or reinvented chandeliers. Make sure the light is slightly subdued to create a cosy, even romantic, atmosphere. Of course, if your dining room is large, it is best to light its corners with other sources such as table lamps on the sideboard, wall lights or floor lamps in a relaxation corner.
Light fittings for your bedroom
In the bedroom, choose overhead light sources that give a soft yet well-diffused light. Ceiling lights or spotlights work well as the main fitting. They are quite enough to light a bedroom without dazzling you with overly harsh light. For bedside lighting when reading at night, choose designer bedside lamps, wall lights with a reading arm or adjustable spotlights placed above or near the bed. Finally, for ambient lighting, opt for a floor lamp positioned in the corner opposite your bed. For children's bedrooms, choose multicoloured lights in playful shapes (aeroplanes, boats and so on) to help them drift off to sleep while stimulating their senses when awake. For your walk-in wardrobe or your children's, go for powerful, space-saving recessed fittings such as spotlights. Prioritise LED or halogen bulbs for a light that is gentle yet bright enough to reach every corner of your bedrooms.
Lighting your kitchen
If there is one room that needs to be lit perfectly, it is surely the kitchen. The fittings you choose will depend on how much natural light the room gets, its layout and its size. In a large kitchen, a ceiling light is the best way to light the whole space. In glass, wood or metal, it can be discreet or eye-catching depending on the size of your kitchen. For your worktops, choose recessed spotlights, which are easy to fit and wonderfully discreet, or sculptural designer wall lights. If you have a kitchen island, have fun with styles and shapes by hanging a long pendant, a bare-bulb pendant or a metal box pendant above it. Vintage, rustic, contemporary, Nordic or futuristic: pick the on-trend fittings you love for a kitchen that is both personal and elegant. You are also free to create a truly unique kitchen by cleverly mixing decorative styles through eclectic light fittings and playing with shapes and light intensity.
How should you light your bathroom?
The bathroom is all about wellbeing and relaxation, so it is essential that it is lit in the best possible way. Whether your bathroom is spacious or not, a ceiling light remains the ideal way to light the whole room. Round, square, glass or aluminium, a ceiling light is enough to give your bathroom character, whatever its style. In addition to this main light, you can add a spotlight above the mirror or the washbasin. Be sure to choose a soft bulb, though, so the light is not too harsh. Your bathroom fittings must also offer a high level of protection, such as IP67, to shield them from the constant humidity in this room.
Choosing lighting for your study
Whether it is a children's study area or a home office, lighting is the essential decorative element that gives this room character. In addition to the main lighting, which can be provided by a ceiling light, a chandelier or a spotlight, the desk itself can benefit from task lighting that mimics natural light. This natural effect, produced by "daylight" bulbs, gives a comfortable light that helps concentration. To light your workspace properly, choose a desk lamp large enough to light the whole desk. As for style, you are free to choose a lamp design to suit the prevailing décor of your study. Minimalist designer table lamps are nonetheless a safe bet to keep the understated feel of a workspace.
Light fittings for your hallway
When it comes to lighting your hallway, a little creativity goes a long way. Beyond classic wall lights, you can play with style and light in your corridors. Alternate spotlights in different colours for a retro effect, or line up matching wall lights along one of your hallways. As well as spotlights and wall lights, you can opt for ceiling lights, adjustable bare bulbs, LED panels or designer pendants, with the light intensity set to avoid glare. Besides being glare-free, the light from your hallway fittings should also be even. To achieve this, spread out several light points, especially in a long corridor.
Which light fittings for your outdoor spaces?
Terraces, balconies, patios and gardens are all outdoor spaces that need lighting that meets the standards. From recessed wall lights and recessed spotlights to lamp posts, bollards and ceiling lights for terraces, the choice depends entirely on the size of your outdoor spaces and the effect you want. For a very bright result, choose recessed spotlights placed along both sides of your paths and around your garden. For your terrace, front entrance or balcony, opt for an outdoor ceiling light or a vintage wall light to suit your taste. Want to show off your trees? Choose spike spotlights placed at their base, or LED bars. Just remember to choose sturdy fittings with a high protection rating, such as IP67 or IP65, to light your outdoor spaces efficiently for years to come.