In these rooms, lighting must meet the needs of all the activities that occur, as well as creating atmosphere and enhancing furnishing. Keep it flexible, with lots of table top and freestanding lamps and up lighters. For reading lighting should be above, behind or to one side of the reader to prevent shadows falling on the page. Experiment with table and floor lamps and swivel arm wall lights together with good background lighting.

Dinning lighting is best served by direct overhead fittings. Strong and harsh lighting is unflattering, so try an adjustable shaded pendant fitted with crown silver lamps to eliminate glare.

Stairs, halls and landings

Stairways are busy, so safety should be the main consideration. The quality of light should be as bright as or brighter than the lights below without creating a dramatic contrast. So fix ceiling lights at the top of each flight of stairs, on each landing and at the bottom. Put on a dimmer for greater flexibility and ensure lights can be turned on and off at the top and bottom of flights.

Mirrors and tungsten wall light will give an impression of space, whereas central pendants will make a hall appear narrower.

Wall up lighters are closer to eye level and give out a warm arc of light.

Landings are often narrow so to create safe lighting, consider recessed lights, wall up lighters or angled spots.

WATCHPOINTS

Choose the correct wattage for the light fitting or shade. If the lamp shade and base take a

different wattage always use the lower one.

Lighting can affect proportion successfully – up lights lead the eye upwards, making low-ceilinged room look higher, for example so consider what effect your chosen lighting will have on the room before fitting.

The wiring for wall lights does not always have to be traced into the surface but it does look better for it, so whenever possible plan your lighting in advance of the rest of the decor.

Opt for two-way switching with dimmers in bedrooms so you can have one by the door and the bed.

For good overall lighting look at ceiling mounted fluorescent fittings, spotlights, down lights or track-mounted light fittings.

Always remember in the bathroom that lighting must comply with wiring regulations:

light switches should be outside the bathroom. or use pull cords inside.

Use lights to pick out items such as pictures and special objects.

Bathrooms

Here, lighting needs to be dual purpose to help you feel energetic in the morning and relaxed at night. It should be task orientated, centered around a mirror, and then work outwards.

Mirror lighting should be soft and shadow free. Theater style mirror lights wit low watt pearl lamps fitted down the sides are a good choice. Cheaper and less dramatic is a fluorescent strip light with built in shaver socket, but it can create shadows below the nose and mouth.

The ceiling is best served by recessed down lighters. Avoid fluorescent strips and pendants because these aren’t very flattering and can be dangerous.

Bedrooms

Here, you want to create an intimate setting for various activities requiring a high level of general lighting combined with task lighting, plus mood lighting. Ideally, you want overall light for activities such as cleaning and making the beds, soft background lighting for relaxing, and lighting for specific areas such as the bed and dressing table.

Bedside lighting: look for a good source that won’t disturb a partner. Try table lights clip on spotlights or overhead, recessed spotlights.

Background: anything goes, so consider floor or wall mounted up lighters, concealed strip lights, ceiling spotlights.

Functional lights: these could include tungsten strip lights and night lights for children.

Kitchens

Kitchens require a high level of shadow free general lighting with task lighting focused at, for example, worktops, hobs and sinks.

Fluorescent strip light under wall cupboards prevent shadows on work surface.

Ceiling mounted spotlights, track lights and recessed down lighters work well in the same way overhead.

If the kitchen is also used as a dining area, add table lamps and rise and fail fitting over a table.