Seeing the light when it comes to the latest trends

But the last 30 years have seen a revolution and the "big light" has been relegated or replaced with a myriad of spot, task and decorative lights. New technology, fresh designs and a realisation that lighting has a major part to play in how a house looks and feels have combined to bring changes for the better.

Lucy Martin, author of The Lighting Bible, says: "The best lighting schemes look effortless. "If a space is well lit, it will be exciting and inviting and it will be well used, whereas poorly lit rooms are often abandoned."

The best starting point when planning a scheme is to assess what the room will be used for, plan accordingly and remember that less is more. Also, make sure that at least some of the light level is controllable through dimmer switches. If you want to add drama, try some coloured LED lights or a simple downlight that creates depth and texture in one area of the room. A new whole house lighting scheme is best done when renovating a property as it will be costly and messy.

But there are budget solutions. Placing a pendant above the dining table or adding some picture lights isn't usually a big job for an electrician. Even changing lamp and light shades can make a big difference to a room, as can plug in but wall-mounted lights such as the Climbing Light from Black and Blum (top right). The high street is well supplied with well-priced, well designed options. BHS has a great lighting department, as does B&Q and Ikea.

For something special and a bit different, try Radiance in Hebden Bridge, which has both beautiful and quirky shades and lights by designer makers. Online retailer Rockett St George (www.rockettstgeorge) also has some good one-offs including a set of bowler hat pendant lights for 170 (so good they have sold out and there is now a waiting list).

For specialist advice and fantastic, contemporary designer labels, visit Duluce in Leeds.

Finally, don't forget to look for energy efficient lighting options. There are plenty of innovations, mainly using low energy light emitting diodes – LEDs – and you can now buy eco-friendly versions of the electricity guzzling inset spotlights.

Another new product attracting attention is the revamped Velux Sun Tunnel by designer Ross Lovegrove.

The sun pipe with a difference previews at the 100 per cent Design show in London this week.

It brings daylight into dark rooms via a cut-out in the roof. Light radiates down the pipe to be dispersed in a room below. The pipe's new lamp attachment, designed by Lovegrove, looks great and allows you to adjust the spread of the natural light.

Useful reading: The Lighting Bible by Lucy Martin, Apple Press, 12.99. To order from the Yorkshire Post Bookshop, call 0800 0153232 or go www.yorkshirepostbook

shop.co.uk. P&P is 2.75.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Radiance Lighting, Market Street, Hebden Bridge, for beautiful, quirky lights by designer makers tel: 01422 845764, www.radiancelighting.co.uk

Duluce, Haines Park, Grant Avenue, Leeds, for contemporary, designer lighting and a lighting design service, tel: 0113 249 8007, www.duluce.co.uk

B&Q for a good selection of lighting, www.diy.com

BhS for a good selection of low cost lighting, www.bhs.co.uk

Velux for the new sun tunnel by Ross Lovegrove, www.velux.co.uk

Rockett St George for one-offs and quirky bowler hat pendant lights, www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk

Black and Blum for their plug-in but wall attached climbing light, www.black-blum.com