How to get the lighting right and create a cosy interior [ad]

I often get asked for tips on how to get the lighting right in a space. It’s a tricky thing to do well – so often, it’s left to the last minute as something of an afterthought. Then once it’s installed you have to live with it everyday – I always regret not being with my builders on the day they installed the pendant lights over the dining table in the wrong place, or not having an easily accessible switch for the bedside pendants, meaning we have to reach awkwardly behind the bed for the main plug socket.

But, if carefully considered and planned well, the right lighting can instantly lift a room and help to create a cosy, inviting setting. It pays to know your lighting and do your research, treating each room as a unique space with different conditions.

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Here’s my guide for getting the lighting right and creating a cosy interior:

Function first

First of all, take note of what you want out of the space – what will you be doing in the room and how do you want it to feel?

In kitchens, for example, you might need additional focused task lighting (ceiling downlights, spotlights or under cabinet strip lights or spots) to brighten certain areas such as worktops for preparing food, but in dining rooms or living spaces you might want softer accent lighting (floor lamps and table lamps) to set the scene.

Large, flexible, open-plan spaces will need multiple sources of light with separate switches for different activities, so there’s something to suit every moment throughout the day, whether it’s cooking, eating, relaxing or entertaining. 

 Layer your lighting

Some designers would say you need six or seven light sources in a room, but I think a minimum of three or four is a good place to start.

Layer your lighting to create a warm, inviting setting. Start with ambient lighting – this refers to your main source of light, such as a ceiling pendant, that gives a broad spread of illumination. In a living room, I always think it’s better to go a little bigger than you think the space needs – a beautiful pendant or chandelier will create a focal point in the room and help give a sense of grandeur and impact.

Then, thank about your task lighting – this is a brighter, more focused form of light that helps illuminate focused activities such as reading in an armchair, working at a desk or putting on makeup in the mirror in the bathroom.

Finally, don’t forget about accent lighting – the finishing touch that completes any room. You can be a bit more playful and creative with accent lighting, using wall lights, uplighters, track lights or lamps like this Zena table lamp from Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting Group to highlight certain features in the home, such as artwork and gallery walls. 

Dim the lights

I hate having the ceiling light on in the evenings; it just gives such a bright, strong glare, which isn’t all that conducive to settling down for the night and relaxing. Flexibility is key – you want to feel like you have control over your space so that it can adapt with you.

I’d recommend installing a dimmer switch on your main points of lighting so that you can adjust the intensity of the bulbs to suit your mood. Then when it’s time to get cosy you can dim them down and create a softer ambience. With smart LED bulbs, you can even dim the lights or adjust the colour from your phone!

Less is more when it comes to ceiling lights

One of my biggest pet hates is when you walk into a room and there’s dozens of bright, glaring downlights in the ceiling. You want to give the feeling of home, not a hospital operating theatre. I would much prefer to use lots of side lamps on than the main overhead light.

If you’re renovating it helps to create a lighting plan at the start of the project and set out the position of your lights. Use their lumen rating to check how many you really need, then consider what other lighting you’ll have in the room and create a holistic scheme that comes together in a cohesive way.

For residential projects, I think downlights (those that are recessed mounted) or spotlights (those that are surface mounted on plate or track) should only really be used in a kitchen or bathroom. A series of pendants over a kitchen island or a chandelier over a dining table works so much better to create warmth. 

Cluster your lighting in corners

Just like layering, you want to have focused areas or zones for your lighting to create interest and intrigue. You don’t want your room to look dull and one-dimensional with the same level of light or tone throughout the space. Just as you might contrast textures and fabrics, use different styles of lighting to give shape and life to a room.

In a living room, use lamps to create focal points on side tables, sideboards and shelves – it will help draw your eye around the space to these cosy, inviting corners. This Zena table lamp from Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting Group, for instance, helps highlight the art above, but it’s also a statement piece that helps to bring that whole corner together as a stylish display. 

Make the switch to LED

With a 50,000 hour lifetime, LED light bulbs last up to 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs and around 8 times longer than halogen. To put it into context, with most standard LED lights, you’re looking at a 10-15 year lifespan.

They also make for a more eco-friendly choice, consuming up to 85% less energy, emitting less heat and, in the process, helping to reduce electricity bills (the Energy Saving Trust estimates by about £35 a year).

LED’s come on straight away too – no annoying flickering light or waiting around for a bulb to reach full brightness. You can find LED bulbs for most fittings; they’ve really expanded in range over the past few years and can now be found in lots of different tones and hues. 

Don’t underestimate the power of candlelight

Finally, there’s nothing like candlelight to set the mood and create a cosy feel. Especially at this time of year, come 6pm, I’ve closed the shutters, switched off the overhead light, turned the side lamps on and lit the candles. It’s a little signifier for me to relax and get ready for the evening! 

Getting the lighting right really is key to creating a cosy interior; you can have all the blankets in the world but if your lights are making you feel awake and alert, it’s not going to make for the most relaxing experience. Set the scene with accent lighting and the rest will soon follow.