- HLN Home
- 19th Sep 2025
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- 0 minute
How lighting can change the entire vibe of your home
We often underestimate the power lighting holds when it comes to styling a home. You’d be amazed at what a few design tactics can do for how your space looks and feels.
With just a few small touches, it’s so easy to change the atmosphere in your home from fine to fantastic with lights in all the right places.
Whether it’s a statement pendant or an elegant chandelier, lighting has a way of pulling everything together and setting the tone.
If you’re not quite sure where to start, here are some tips…
Start with the mood
Every room has a purpose, and some even share them. The question you should ask yourself is – what do you want this room to feel like?
Your living room, for example, might double up as a place to unwind after work or curl up for a Netflix binge. In most cases, lighting needs to be flexible enough to suit all of that. Soft, layered and dimmable is often the best approach.
Meanwhile, the kitchen tends to need brighter, more focused lighting, but still benefits from some warm ambient tones, especially if it’s part of an open-plan space.
Think about feeling rather than fitting. If you’re designing a room from scratch, consider how your lighting can complement your furniture. Then it’s a simple case of tying it all together.
Style your space in three simple layers
Layering your lights is a sure way to create a balance of warmth and character in a room. Each layer has a purpose, and when they work together, the whole look just clicks.
In most rooms, lighting has three distinct jobs:
Ambient lighting – your main light source. Usually, a ceiling light like a pendant or chandelier. It sets the general tone of the room.
Task lighting – practical but still stylish. This could be wall lights over the kitchen counter, a lamp on your desk or next to a sofa.
Accent lighting – where the magic happens. It can be used to highlight your favourite features, whether that be open shelves, artwork, or furniture.
It’s not often you’ll need every light on at once. That’s the beauty of layered lighting. Each layer works depending on the time of day or the mood you’re after.
Quick styling wins
You don’t always need to splash out on new fittings or rewire your entire home. Sometimes, it’s the little tweaks that make all the difference.
Lampshades may be traditional, but they still hold their own. Swapping out shades is a super simple change that can refresh your space without buying a whole new light. For a softer glow, you can try a fabric drum shade or opt for something bolder like smoked glass or brass for more impact.
There’s nothing wrong with mixing things up, so don’t be afraid to combine materials. Many of the options out there complement each other to create visual appeal.
Another simple but effective hack? Dimmer switches. There are times in the day when you don’t need as much light as you might think. With a standard switch, you’re limited to two options: on or off. But with a dimmer switch, you have flexible lighting 24/7.
Small spaces, big glow
No matter how big or small your space is, there are plenty of options you can incorporate to make the most of your lighting.
Mirrors are a decorator’s secret weapon, especially in small spaces. When paired with the right lighting, they can make a room feel much larger.
One trick is to position wall lights or lamps strategically around or above your mirrors. That way, they reflect light throughout the room, which not only brightens the space but also creates an illusion of depth.
Our go-to picks right now
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to lighting. Whether your taste is modern or traditional, there’s something for everyone.
Here are a few designs that can really make an impact in your home:
Laura Ashley Vienna 3-Light Semi Flush
Known for its romantic, vintage-inspired designs, Laura Ashley blends traditional charm with refined modern touches.
This showstopper of a design combines bevelled glass coffin rods with faceted crystal droplets, suspended from an antique brass frame. It creates a soft, sparkling effect that feels both glamorous and timeless.
The semi-flush design sits closer to the ceiling, making it ideal for rooms with limited height. No visible cables, just a neat, decorative finish that works especially well in rooms where you still want impact without the drop.
Nkuku Chameli Tapered Mango Wood Floor Lamp
Nkuku lighting is all about texture, tone, and craftsmanship, perfect for warming up any room. And this particular design is no exception.
Hand-turned from mango wood, the tapered base shows off a beautiful grain and imperfections of timber. It’s finished in a soft, matte tone that works beautifully in rustic, boho or modern organic interiors.
The scale and simplicity make it a great anchor piece for a corner or reading nook.
Dar Savannah 4-Light Bar Pendant
Dar is known for creating pieces that often push the envelope with unexpected details that bring a room to life.
With its slim black bar and ombre smoked glass shades, this pendant mixes industrial style with a sleek, moody finish. The adjustable height makes it flexible for kitchen islands, dining tables or even breakfast bars.
It spreads light evenly across a larger surface, while the tinted glass creates a softer glow, ideal for ambient lighting with a contemporary twist.
Let your lights do the talking
Lighting might not always be the first thing you think of when updating a space, but it should be. It sets the mood, often more than a fresh coat of paint or new furniture ever could.
Whether you’re going all in with a statement chandelier or just looking to soften things up with a warm-toned floor lamp, the right lighting can take your home from ordinary to effortlessly inviting.
So if you’ve been meaning to update a space or just want to add a little extra atmosphere this season, start with your lighting. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your home feel more ‘you’.
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