Let's start where you sit. An adjustable reading light beside or behind your chair which can be switched whilst seated will prove invaluable. If it can be adjusted for height even better. Two or three table lamps placed around the perimeter on tables, shelves or furniture will give the room a more spacious feeling as the light radiates inwards. These small pools of light also create interest. It is ideal if these lamps can be switched using a 5-amp lighting circuit, so they can be turned on from the wall switch.

Illuminate bookcases, pictures or objects of interest with pictures lights or halogen spot lights. This indirect lighting of a different colour will add contrast.

Wall lights and pendants on a dimmer switch can raise the level of illumination in the room without needing to adjust any of the other light sources but beware of glare if they are mounted too high. Indirect light from wall washers (light fittings designed to light the wall and ceiling often made in ceramic or glass) will create dramatic effects. Remember that the light given from the wall washers will be coloured by the surfaces on which they are mounted.

Floor lamps come in many guises and can be very effective at adding general illumination to a dark area where it is not easy to fit wall lights, ceiling lights or table lamps. A floor uplighter gives a bright wash on the ceiling. Some are fitted with dimmers and others have a second flexible arm for reading.

Avoid relying solely on one central light which will create hard shadows and possibly glare. Instead aim to use to use plenty of different light sources to create pools of light, this will give a more interesting effect.

 

We spend most of our time in the kitchen and it has multiple functions, many of which require care to avoid accidents.

A higher level of illumination is required here. LED cabinet down-lights under wall mounted units cast an efficient light over work surfaces and prevent shadows. They also ensure you are not blocking out the very light in which you need to work.

A high lumen output LED central light is also important in a kitchen to provide a general level of illumination. If you have glass fronted display cabinets in your kitchen, use small halogen lights specifically designed for this purpose.

If your ceiling is low or you want to avoid a central light, consider the use of a number of down-lights which create a glare free and even light whilst remaining functional.

The appearance and functionality of a child’s bedroom will vary massively depending on the age and sex of the child. For young children the lighting needs to be fun and colourful. And for older children the lighting is often focused more on a study area. Bedroom lighting should illuminate their world in a wonderful way, and a well-designed lighting scheme will grow with the child.

Children's bedroom lighting should be glowing with amazing solutions to suit their sense of style. So we’ve listed some helpful tips and ideas for different lighting options, ranging from the practical to the more decorative and fun.

Lighting Safety

Safety is the primary concern when choosing lighting for a child’s bedroom. We would recommend ensuring that all lights are fitted with low wattage lamps or LED bulbs, which are cooler to the touch and use less energy, as you may have to leave a night light on for long periods for younger children. And even as they get older, most children tend to forget about turning the lights off when they leave the room!

All wall lights should be out of reach of a small child, to prevent them from accidentally burning their hands by touching the light bulb out of curiosity. As a precaution, it’s advisable to use something other than halogen bulbs in a child’s room, as these generate extreme heat.

Lighting Styles

Young children’s bedrooms are an opportunity for fun, playful lighting with bright shades to match the colour scheme of the room. Lighting can also help with the bedtime routine and night lights are ideal for making a child feel comforted in the dark.

As a child gets older, the bedroom design must take into account the comfort needed for study and the long hours spent doing homework. So the lighting should be engaging and productive, whilst providing adequate lighting without placing too much strain upon the eyes.

Ceiling Lights

Natural lighting is the best source of light to illuminate a children’s bedroom during the day. However, at night, a durable and versatile ceiling fitting will provide ambient, overhead light and ensure the child’s room is well lit at all times.

Pendant lights can provide a real statement lighting feature and are ideal for practical, general lighting or task lighting. Alternatively, spotlights offer a versatile and modern lighting effect with great directional light just where it’s needed, such as a play area or work area.

Recessed ceiling lights can also be fitted overhead, with wide beam lamps distributing a better spread of light over designated areas of the bedroom. Recessed lights also give off a soft subtle glow, which creates the illusion that the space is larger than it actually is.

Table Lamps

Table lamps are a popular bedroom lighting solution, as they can fine-tune the atmosphere of a room in more ways than one. They are an easy and relatively inexpensive way of freshening up the colour scheme, and are ideal for distributing subtle or bright light into certain areas of the bedroom, such as beside the bed if they enjoy reading at night.

A child’s bedroom wouldn’t be complete without a desk lamp, no matter what the age of the child. Desk lamps are flexible and versatile, focusing light onto the required spot. So they’re perfect for younger children drawing or doing puzzles, as well as for older children reading or studying on the computer.

To ensure a child isn’t straining their eyes, table lamps and desk lamps should be positioned to avoid the direct glare faced while working. So there should be no shadows while writing and the light should fall directly into the open page, for the maximum reading comfort.

In Conclusion

Consider the types of activities your child will be doing in the bedroom and whether they will need extra light. Searchlight’s extensive range of stylish and practical lighting will transform any child’s bedroom into an exciting interior. Whether you are looking for a modern ceiling light or functional task lighting, we can assure you that, as the UK’s largest most comprehensive lighting supplier, we have light fittings available to match the style and character of any child’s bedroom.

Good lighting coming from the centre of a room is always a must. The only exception would be if recessed lighting has been used. It’s always a good idea to have the centre light on a dimmer switch. Then lamps etc can be used to enhance the ambience of the room whilst still keeping it functional.

A centre light is usually placed in line with fireplace, windows and or television…so it’s another focal point in the room. If it’s in the a hallway, it’s quite often the only decorative focal point. Choose it carefully , not purely for style or wow factor. It needs to tick many boxes! The following information should help guide you to the correct size of light fitting for your room. To have the correct amount of light please see our section on “Room Lighting”.

The “drop” (length from the ceiling)

The correct chandelier should be in proportion with the room ..all of it…this includes the height! It’s a good idea to leave an absolute minimum of 6Ft 5inches clearance from the bottom of your chandelier to the floor. This should mean that even your tallest guests can walk through the room comfortably. Obviously in rooms such as the dining room or kitchen there’s the possibility that the chandelier hangs directly over the centre of the table or island. In this case then keep the base of the light approximately 3ft above the surface and most certainly higher than eye level. Remember to include the depth of the ceiling rose.

The diameter of the light

If there’s a ceiling rose… then measure the diameter of it and keep this in mind when choosing your chandelier…everytime you look up at it you’ll see the ceiling rose too. Measure the room….in feet please! A very general guide would be to add the width and length of the room in feet …eg., in a room 15ft by 17ft begin looking a lights 32” in diameter.

Many people spend a great deal of money decorating and furnishing their homes to create an atmosphere only to find there is something missing. Good lighting will complement and complete the effect you are seeking but remember bright lighting is not always good lighting. A light source creates a pool of light but there is a second effect produced when the light is reflected by surfaces. It is this secondary effect that can not be reproduced in the shop where you buy your lights. Consider where you are to put the light and the surfaces under and around it. What effect will the reflected light have?

Avoid hard contrasts which can be tiring to the eyes and, where possible, try to combine different types of lighting in the same room. Direct lighting for reading or working, pools of light to highlight features such as paintings or objects and washes of light on walls all help to add atmosphere to a room whilst remaining functional. If a room has to perform several functions, consider installing a dimmer. This will allow a higher light level for working or reading and a lower light level for relaxation. This can prove useful too for older eyes which need more light.

Colour is most important, incandescent bulbs help create a cosy atmosphere in living areas while fluorescent lamps give a cooler, more efficient light for utility rooms. A room painted in a dark colour will need more light as much of it will be absorbed, whilst lighter colours reflect light. You can add colour to a room by illuminating a coloured surface.

Avoid glare by placing the lights at a level which prevents the eye from seeing the bulb directly. Pendants should not be hung so high that the bulb is clearly visible underneath. Take care that lights placed over refective surfaces such as glass tables have a diffuser in them.