The Lighting Edit
Of all the tasks during my renovation, I found choosing lighting fixtures the most challenging. But fear not, it doesn't have to be like that for you too. Here is what I've learned.
Before we begin, I feel like I should get something out of the way that you may find controversial: spotlights have no place in my home, nor in this Edit. There, I’ve said it.
The reasons are twofold: first, I find the light cast by downlights very unflattering (both on people and objects); and second, I love natural light during the day and cosy, dim lights at night. “But I still need to see at night” I hear some of you protest (and my husband amongst you). Well, that is precisely why it is essential to have a flexible (and layered) lighting scheme: in my experience, a combination of pendants, wall lights and table or floor lamps in every room will give you plenty of light – enough to find any lost earrings!
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My top five tips
Before I divulge my little black book of lighting fixtures (divided into the five main categories of Pendants, Wall Lights, Flush lights, Floor Lights, and Table lights), here are the top five lessons I have learned so far on all things electrics:
Less is more.
Choosing the right light fixture is hard enough, but if you try to find a unique lampshade for every single room, you’ll never see the end of it. My advice is to use the same light fixture across multiple rooms: not only will this save you some headaches, but it will create a more cohesive look throughout the house too. For example, I have used the same wall lights in the kitchen, in our bedroom and in our bathroom, the same pendant in all corridors, etc.Invest in a couple of statement pieces.
Once you have chosen (and repeated) your task lights (aka those light fixtures that are merely functional and don’t need to draw too much attention to themselves), consider splurging a little more on key areas you want to highlight. A show-stopping pendant in the dining room, or in your bedroom, can really elevate the space.When in doubt, add a socket
Something to consider if you are mid-renovation and re-doing your electrical plan! It is always better to have an extra socket than too few. They are invaluable if additional lights are needed later – floor lamps, table lamps, and wall lamps (they can be very charming hanging from hooks!). And whilst we are on the subject of sockets, I find it very handy to have a double USB socket near either side of beds and in the kitchen – the two main areas where you’ll need to charge your devices!Light switches on the down-low
This is a trick I learned from the interior designer Rita Konig (alas, too late for my renovation, but hopefully not too late for yours!). She recommends positioning light switches at 90cm from the floor (think countertop height). It might seem strange, but it is a way more ergonomic position for your arm, plus they will be more out of sight than having them staring at you right in your face! She also recommends not spending precious budget on these items. Sure, you can get some fancy brass ones for your kitchen countertops if you like, but in most rooms, the cheap white ones will be absolutely fine, and actually will draw less attention to themselves (plus, they are easy to replace at a later stage). Most of my light switches and sockets are super cheap plastic ones – except for a few brass toggle switches in the bedroom and inside the pantry.Nice and Dim
Put as many circuits as you can on dimmers, to allow for maximum flexibility.
Now that I have given away my lighting secrets, let’s move on to my favourite fixtures! Below, you’ll find a mix of brands I have used in my home, as well as others I have recommended to clients or are on my wishlist!
Pendants
We start with the main stars of the show – pendants. Often the focal point of a room (at least, as far as lighting goes), they can give a lot of personality to a space, especially one that’s pretty minimal (like my loft, pictured below).
