Plant bulbs to light up your life

From sparkling chandeliers to old-fashioned standard lamps, not forgetting the “big light”, Sharon Dale reveals the latest lighting trends.

The days when most of us relied solely on “the big light” to illuminate our rooms have gone but the rush to rid ourselves of the single pendant has thrown up another issue.

The now ubiquitous inset spotlights have been used indiscriminately, leaving our ceilings looking like overlit runways, while guzzling energy and throwing out an enormous amount of heat.

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Judith Graham, of Yorkshire-based lighting consultancy The Lighthouse House Company, advises using them with caution.

“They have been over-used. They are good for kitchens, but if you want them elsewhere I’d suggest teaming a few with a pendant or using them to spotlight recessed areas.”

Much better are LED downlights, which consume little electricity and don’t give out heat, though they are more expensive, according to Judith.

“LED is the modern phenomenon which can be dimmed, has thousands of hours of use and is hugely economical. You can also get LED lights in strips. We have used them wrapped round the bottom of kitchen islands and the effect is stunning.”

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Other trends, she says, include a move towards a more homely look with a mix of old and new. That has brought standard lamps back into fashion. You can buy new or look for second-hand ones that you can upcycle by painting the base and changing the shade. If you are using downlights too, brushed aluminium and nickel fittings are still the finish everyone wants.

Though we don’t want to rely solely on a pendant, we are rekindling our love of them by using them in non-traditional areas rather than centre stage. They are being used at one end of the room or in corners over tables and desks. As for colours, strong rather than pale are selling well. Retro-style fittings are also fashionable, especially those from the 60s and 70s, including patterned shades and slim glass pendants.

Chandeliers are still enjoying enormous popularity and look wonderful everywhere from bedrooms to bathrooms. The very best cut-glass chandeliers are well worth investing in if you can afford them and they should hold their value. You can buy them new or try antique shops and auction salerooms. Or you can find cheap and cheerful versions everywhere including Tesco, which has some blue and pink ones for £40 in its latest autumn-winter homeware collection.

“A beautiful chandelier looks wonderful when cross lit,” says Judith. “You use a hidden spotlight to throw light across the room onto it to make it really sparkle.”

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It’s tips like these that make it worthwhile employing a lighting consultant, who will plan a scheme for you. If you are planning your own then visit specialist lighting retailers who have technical and design knowledge.

The Lighthouse Company, lighting consultants, near Ripon. Tel: 01765 640803, www.thelighthousecompany.biz

Where to buy

Duluce in Leeds specialises in contemporary lighting. www.duluce.co.uk, tel: 0113 249 8007.

Oldfield Lighting in Skipton has traditional and modern products and a design team, www.oldfieldlighting.co.uk, tel: 01756 799155.

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Radiance Lighting in Hebden Bridge specialises in quirky lamps and lampshades by designer-makers. www.radiancelighting.co.uk, tel: 01422 845764.

High street retailers including B&Q and BHS have good lighting departments, as does Ikea. Argos also has a good selection.

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