So You're Looking to Buy Some Lights?
Fab! You've come to the right place...
In this guide we'll give you all the skills, tools and know-how that you'll need to find the perfect lighting for your home.
Because at Lighting-Style we understand that it can all be a little bit overwhelming, that is why we're here to help!
So put your feet up, relax and let's get stuck in...
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1. Consider the size of the room 2. Understanding the 3 Uses of Lighting |
The Complete Guide To Buying Lighting
Lighting can often be overlooked when it comes to re-decorating, because it is often thought of as a utilitarian rather than a key factor in the overall décor of your room. But, when chosen correctly, your lighting can become a true focal point and is guaranteed to take your home design to the next level!
We have put together the ultimate light buying guide to help you to choose the correct lighting for each room in your home, with the perfect balance of style and substance. Because choosing the correct lighting is not as simple as you may initially think…
Consider the size of the room
The first step to choosing the correct lights for your home is to work out how much light you need in a room to keep it well lit.
In 2010, the way we measure bulb brightness changed. Bulb brightness used to be referenced in wattage (W), but now it is referenced in lumen (LM).
Each room in your home will require a different number of lumens in order to be lit adequately. To work this out, you can check an illumination chart which will show you the ideal number of footcandles or lux you will need for a certain task.
A footcandle = the amount of light on a surface created by one candela that is a foot away from the surface.
A lux = the amount of light on a surface created by one candela that is a metre away from the surface.
One candela = the light from one standard candle.
If you are using feet, look at the number of footcandles. One footcandle is equal to 1 lumen per square foot. Multiply the number of footcandles by the square foot in the room and this will tell you how many lumens are required.
If you are using metres, look at the number of lux. One lux is equal to 1 lumen per square metre. Multiply the number of lux by the square metres in the room and this will tell you how many lumens are required.
Find our illumination chart below:
And if you’d like to see how the kelvins will affect your room, you can use this useful tool from 1000bulbs.com, which shows how the colour temperature will transform the lighting in this kitchen space.
Understand the three uses of lighting
Now that you know how many lumens are requires in each room, the next step is to understand the three main uses of lighting. Don’t make the common mistake of thinking that one type of lighting will suffice for an entire room. Lighting works much better when used in layers. So, it’s important that you put together a lighting plan for each room, and a successful lighting plan should include three uses of lighting: ambient, task and accent.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is the main light source in the room and will usually be your starting point. This lighting will determine the overall mood within the room, for example a living room will have a warmer and more relaxing tone than that of a workspace. Ambient lighting tends to come from recessed lighting or wall light fixtures within the room.
Task Lighting
Task lighting is focused light that is used when tasks will be carried out in the room. A good example of this is a desk lamp, which will often be adjustable in order to illuminate areas that you need the most to help you carry out tasks.
Another example is vanity lighting above a mirror and under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is the most decorative type of lighting in the room, its used to highlight focal features such as wall art, bookshelves and fireplaces. Accent lighting could also be a focal point itself if you go for a statement piece. For example, our Wofi Indigo Ceiling Light Often floodlights, track lights, picture lights and wall-mounted fixings are used.
Know the different types of lights available
Getting creative with your lighting will mean mixing different types of lights together, so its important that you know the different options available on the market.
Ceiling lights
Almost every room will have ceiling lights because they usually provide the ambient lighting within the room. The two main types of ceiling lights are pendent and flush lighting. Pendant lights hang down from the ceiling usually by a cord or chain whereas flush lights have little or no gap between the light fitting and the ceiling. There’s a vast array available on the market from strikingly stylish to the functional, and here at Lighting Style, we like to mix the two together!
Floor Lamps
Floor lamps are often pigeonholed to the ambient light category and also in the task lighting category, this is because they are perfect for adding extra illumination in rooms that need it but they can also be the perfect adjustable overhead lamp to add focused light in required areas. They are also ideal for adding smaller amounts of light in a room when needed, for example in the living room on an evening when you don’t want the main lights on, but you do want a small amount of light.
Table Lamps
Table lamps are extremely versatile as they can be placed anywhere and usually create the task lighting within your room. They’re often adaptable to allow for versatile use, for example dimmable for a bedside table or adjustable for desk work. You could go for an extravagant design and use it as part of the room décor too, the options are endless!
Wall Lights
Wall lighting does it all. They can create gorgeous accent and highlight focal
points within the room beautifully. They can help illuminate hallways and larger
rooms and add to the ambience within the room. They’re ideal outside lighting, or
when placed strategically they’re great task lights for focused reading.
Spotlights
Spotlights enhance visibility where you need it, they’re ideal task lighting. They are either made of several spotlights along a metal bar or a singular bright light that sits close to the ceiling. They can usually be adjusted to point in the correct direction for your needs.
Get the right bulbs
Now that you know the different types of lights available, it’s time to choose the right bulbs! Many of our lights come with LED’s already installed, but some you will need to get the bulbs additionally if stated in the product description.
There are three main types of blubs; LED’s, CFL and Halogen. Incandescent bulbs are now being phased out.
LED’s: LED bulbs are a great eco-efficient option. They typically use 90% less energy than an incandescent bulb. They last the longest, they’re cheap to run and produce very little heat. Here at Lighting-Style we only stock LED's (we think they're fab!). Plus they are extremely versatile, meaning that during the manufacturing process they can be integrated straight into the frame of a light to create stunning strips of light, as seen in the image below:
CFL: Short for compact fluorescent lamp, CFL’s are the most common type of energy-saving bulb. They typically use 60-80% less energy than an incandescent bulb. They are a cheaper alternative to LED’s but they do take a while to reach their optimum brightness which can be frustrating when you need the light to complete a task.
Halogen: The cheapest of the three, halogen bulbs are dimmable but typically have a shorter lifespan. They use 20-30% less energy than an incandescent bulb.
At Lighting Style, we only offer LED’s. You can see our range below:
Choose the bulbs that best suits your lamp or light shade. Our decorative light bulbs are another great way of making a statement in your home, we have various lights where the bulb will still be visible, for example our Wofi Richael Pendant Light, so pairing with a statement bulb will make the light all the more stunning.
Shop our full range of bulbs here.
Cap
The cap, which is the base of the bulb, holds the bulb firmly in place while providing an electrical connection between the light and the bulb. In the above images you can see the cap type referenced under each image (E27, E14, G9, GU10 etc...). You will need to know the cap type of your light or lamp before purchasing a bulb for it.This can be found in all of our product descriptions, most typically an E27 or E14 bulb will be suitable, just be sure to check!
The kelvin scale
The next step is to understand the kelvin scale. The kelvin scale is used to describe the warmth or coolness of the light. The colour spectrum ranges from the yellow-based colour to the blue-based colour. As an example, people often prefer the yellow-based colours in a living room, and the blue-based colour in a utility, but there’s no right or wrong it's ultimately down to your personal preference.
See our kelvin scale below.
Many of our LED lights can be temperature adjusted to suit your desired kelvins throughout the day. However, most of our LED lights are set at a default of 3000K, which gives a nice cosy feel to the room.
Once again just be sure to check the product description to see what the temperature is set to and also if it can be adjusted.
How to Light Each Room In Your Home
While the layout of the room is down to your individual taste, there are some tips that we can give you that will work well for each room in your home.
Firstly, you need to decide on what mood you would like to create in each room and what type of lights will complement your personal style and the current design in your home.
Entryway Lighting
This is arguably the most important area to ensure a grand entrance and a good first impression is created. Start with a dramatic statement light such as a chandelier overhead light, and then complement this with a floor lamp.
Kitchen Lighting
Kitchens are very busy spaces, where food preparation will take place. This means it must be illuminated well, especially in areas where you will be carrying out food preparation. Check out our blog post on kitchen lighting ideas for more inspiration!
You should start with general ambient lighting, we would suggest a pendant light or track lighting if you have a feature in the room, such as a kitchen island or breakfast bar, but if not recessed lighting will work well too.
You will also require task-orientated lighting where food preparation will take place, this can be provided by the addition of an under-cabinet lighting system. This will ensure that the kitchen is illuminated well enough in the areas that really need it, avoiding shadows being cast over knives and other potentially dangerous tools.
Dining Room Lighting
A common mistake with the dining room is hanging a chandelier over the table and thinking that is enough light for the whole room. It’s important to remember to create layers. A statement light over the dining room table is a great start, a chandelier or a pendant light will look stunning. Check out our blog post on dining room lighting ideas for more inspiration!
You then need to balance this, a great way to achieve this is to have recessed or track lighting, this will create the layers and avoid the room looking flat.
Living Room Lighting
The most multi-functional room in the home, the living room is an all-purpose area where you will watch TV, read books, chat with friends and family or do homework. This means the lighting in this room needs more diversity, to reflect the diverse tasks that are carried out in the room.
For general ambience, a pendant light or flush ceiling light overhead will create a good amount of light for the room. Then add floor and table lamps or sconces situated in task areas to provide more direct light, for example, if you have an armchair you like to read in or an area on the sofa where you tend to carry out tasks.
Bathroom Lighting
Vanity lighting is perfect for the bathroom, if you have a mirror in the bathroom then they are perfectly situated at the top of this. Not only will this add to the décor of the room, but it also adds the perfect amount of lighting in front of the mirror to help you when you’re getting ready in the morning.
For the general ambient lighting in the room, wall scones and recessed lighting will work a treat, and it’s always a good idea to get dimmable lights in the bathroom so that you can dim them when you would like to relax in the bathtub.
Bedroom Lighting
The perfect place to unwind and revive yourself, it’s important to have soft ambient lighting in the bedroom. A decorative semi-flush ceiling light that can be dimmed will give the perfect ornamental feature while providing you with soft ambient lighting. Complement this with accent lighting on the walls to give an extra luxurious feel. Many people also like to read in bed, so either an adjustable table lamp to go on your bedside table or a wall-mounted reading lamp is essential.
Home Office Lighting
You’ll need this area to focus on work, so this room needs function-orientated lighting. For the general ambience, recessed lighting or a flush overhead light will provide the main illumination for the room. Then you’ll need a desk lamp that can be adjusted in your main work area, and perhaps a floor lamp in dark corners or situated over the top of seating areas within the room.
Are you ready to take your lighting to the next level?
Lighting can have a massive impact on your home décor, and when done correctly it will provide the perfect atmosphere for each room in your home. So, if you’re ready to take your lighting to the next level then you’re in the right place!
We have a gorgeous range of designer lighting to suit each individual room in your home, they all come with a manufacturer's guarantee for peace of mind plus fast and free delivery to anywhere in mainland UK!
We hope that our Ultimate Lighting Buying Guide has given you all the information that you require. However, should you need to know anything else then speak with one of our friendly members of the team. You can catch us on email at
admin@lighting-style.co.uk, or call the office between 9am - 5pm on 01282 227647
Happy hunting!
