Lighting Buying Guide

When it comes to lighting, there are a lot of things to consider. You need to think about the purpose of the light, the size of the room, and how much natural light is available. And that's just the beginning. With so many different types & designs of lights available on the market today, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. So how do you know which type of light is right for your home or office?

Our Lighting Buying Guide Blog is here to help. We provide tips on everything from choosing the right type of light bulb to in-depth guides on specific types of lighting, such as floor lamps and chandeliers. So whether you're looking to brighten up a dark room or want to add some extra flair to your décor, we can help you make the best choices for your needs.

When it comes to lighting, there are a lot of things to consider. Here are some tips to help you make the best choices:

1. Decide what type of lighting you need - There are different types of lights for different purposes. Make sure you know what type of light you need before buying.

2. Consider your budget - Lighting can be expensive, so make sure you set a budget and stick to it.

3. Measure the space you want to light - You don’t want to buy a light that’s too big or too small for the space.

4. Consider the style of your home or office - You want the lighting to match the décor, so choose wisely.

5. Think about function as well as style - Not all lights are just for looks, some are designed to provide function as well, such as reading lights or task lights.

6. Decide on a colour scheme - Lights come in all different colours, so you need to decide what look you’re going for before buying anything.

7. Consider the type of bulb you need - Not all bulbs are created equal, some use more energy than others, and some last longer than others. Make sure you pick the right bulb for your needs.

8. Think about where you will be installing the light fixture - Some light fixtures are designed for indoor use only, while others are made for both indoor and outdoor use.

Lighting Ideas By Room

When it comes to lighting, there are a variety of factors you need to consider before making a purchase. The purpose of the light, the size of the room, and the amount of natural light available in the room are all important things to keep in mind. And that's just the beginning! With so many different types and designs of lights on the market today, it can be difficult to know which type is right.

That's where our Lighting Ideas By Room section comes in. We offer tips and advice on how to choose the best type of light for every room in your home. Whether you're looking for ways to brighten up a dark room or want to add some extra flair to your décor, we can help you find the perfect light for your needs:

Living Room

Lounge lighting is all about creating a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. In a lounge, you want to be able to relax and socialize, so the lighting should be soft and soothing.

The second is the purpose of the light. Do you want it for general illumination, or do you need task lighting for specific activities, such as reading or watching TV?

The third is that you will also want to consider what other sources of light there are in the room such as windows or a fireplace.

Bedroom

Bedroom lighting is all about creating the right mood. You want to be able to relax and sleep, so the lighting shouldn't be too harsh. You'll also need a light for general illumination, as well as task lighting for specific activities, such as reading in bed or getting dressed.

A light with dimming capabilities may also be a great idea so that you may customize the level of light in a room. This will allow you to adjust the brightness to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion or time of day.

Dining Room

Dining room lighting can be tricky to get right – too much light and it becomes the focal point of the room, not enough light and it can be difficult to see what you're eating. But with a little bit of knowledge, you can easily choose the perfect light for your needs.

With dining tables being the centre point of the room, it would be best to incorporate it into the placement and type of lighting used such as placing a table light central on the table or a pendant light or chandelier above it.

Kitchen

The kitchen is a great place to experiment with different types of lighting. You can go with a classic ceiling light, or perhaps try a more contemporary pendant light. If you have a busy kitchen with lots of activity, opt for a task light that attaches to the countertop.

Pendant lights can also look great in multiple in a focussed area such as a breakfast bar or perhaps a recessed spotlight built in to illuminate your kitchen counter and help you see the food you are preparing.

Bathroom

When it comes to bathroom lighting, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The first is the purpose of the light. Do you need it for general illumination, or do you need task lighting for specific activities, such as shaving or putting on makeup?

Not all lighting can go in bathrooms as the moisture in the room can damage the light and become a hazard, this means you should only consider getting lighting with an IP Rating of 43 or above.

For this room we recommend checking out our Bathroom Lights section to ensure you only buy lighting that can resist the moisture created in your bathroom.

Bathroom Zones

When it comes to bathroom lighting, it's important to follow the bathroom zone guidelines. Bathroom zones are a set of guidelines that dictate how much light is required in different areas of the bathroom.

There are three different bathroom zones: task, grooming, and general. Task zone lighting is required in areas where tasks such as shaving or applying makeup need to be performed. Grooming zone lighting is required in areas where people typically groom themselves, such as the sink or shower. General zone lighting is required in all other areas of the bathroom.

When choosing bathroom lighting, make sure to select fixtures that provide the appropriate amount of light in each of the three zones as fixtures that provide too much or too little light can be dangerous, so it's important to choose fixtures that provide the correct amount of light for your needs.

Types of Indoor Lighting

With your room selected, now is time to select what type of lighting you would like:

Ceiling Lights

Ceiling lights are a great way to provide general illumination in a room. From their high vantage point, ceiling lights provide amazing amibient lighting in a room.

It's also important to choose the right finish for your ceiling light. There are three main finishes: brass, chrome, and nickel. Brass is a warm finish that is perfect for traditional rooms, chrome is a cool finish that is perfect for modern rooms, and nickel is a versatile finish that can be used in both traditional and modern rooms.

There are two main types of ceiling lights: pendant lights and flush mount lights.

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights hang from the ceiling by a chord and offer you a stylish way to introduce a welcoming light into your room, no matter your ceiling height.

Pendant Lights usually come with an adjustable chord so that you can customize the light in a room. With an adjustable chord, you can change the height of the light to fit your needs. This is perfect for rooms with high ceilings or for people who need more or less light than others.

Most purchased pendant lights we supply offer an adjustable chord, however, we recommend the chord be adjusted by a qualified electrician.

Chains are also a key part of larger or heavier pendant lights. They're used to hold the higher weight of these pendant lights and to keep it in place. Without a chain, the light would be too heavy for the chord to hold, and it may fall down.

Flush Mount Lights

Flush mount lights are a type of ceiling light that attaches directly to the ceiling, as opposed to pendant lights, which hang from the ceiling. Flush mount lights are a great way to provide general illumination in a room and are perfect for people who need more or less light than others.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers are a great way to add some style and sophistication to your home. They come in a range of different shapes and sizes, so you can find one that perfectly suits your style.

They're also a great way to add some light to a room. Chandeliers are typically placed over a table or in the centre of a room, and they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.

If you're looking for a new light fixture, consider a chandelier. While they may be more expensive, their stylishness does compensate for it.

Table Lamps

Table lights are a great way to add some light to a room. As the name suggests, they're typically placed on a table or desk, and they come in a huge variety of different styles and sizes.

When choosing a table light, it's important to consider the size of the table and the type of light that you need. If you need general illumination, a standard table light will work. If you need task lighting for specific activities, such as reading or writing, consider a task light that attaches to the table or a table lamp with a more focused beam.

Floor Lamps

A great statement piece, floor lamps are a great way to add some light to a room. They're typically placed in the corner of a room, and they come in a variety of different styles and sizes.

When choosing a floor lamp, it's important to consider the size of the room as you do not wish to have a lamp that takes over the room, but one large enough that it is still effective and not hidden away by the other furniture in the room.

Floor lamps usually come with a foot switch that can be used to control your lamp without having to get up. They're typically placed next to a bed or chair, and they come in a variety of different styles and sizes. However, you can change your floor lamp's switch to be wall mounted by a qualified electrician.

Wall Lights

Wall lights are a perfect way to finish a room or create a lighting focal point that can be perfect for reading or other activities.

They're also great for hallways and doorways as they provide an amazing ambience for guests.

Spotlights

Spotlights are a great way to enhance visibility to provide focused task lighting. They're typically placed on the ceiling, and they come in a variety of different styles and sizes meaning they can be perfect for any function-based room such as a kitchen.

Spotlights can be recessed into a wall or ceiling, making it perfect for a smaller room to be built into a garden path or pool (provided it has an adequate IP rating).

Lamp Shades

Lamp shades are a great way to add some style and personality to your home. Placed over a table lamp or floor lamp base, they come in a variety of different styles and sizes.

When choosing a lamp shade, it's important to consider the size of the lamp and the type of light that you need, for example, a floor lamp may require a larger-sized lamp shade.

If you're looking for a new light fixture, consider a lamp shade. They're affordable, stylish, and easy to install.

Lamp Bases

Alternatively to table or floor lamps, you can also purchase lamp base versions, these allow you to select your own lamp shade, giving you more customisation and the ability to create your own unique design.

Lamp bases are a great way to add some style and personality to your home. They come in a range of different shapes and sizes, so you can find one that perfectly suits your style.

Outdoor Lighting

When it comes to outdoor lighting, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The first is the purpose of the light. Do you need it for general illumination, or do you need task lighting for specific activities, such as walking at night or reading a book?

Not all lighting can go outdoors as it needs to be able to withstand the weather conditions, this means you should only consider getting lighting with an IP Rating of at least 43 though the more exposed the lighting is, the higher the required IP rating. For example, if you have an exposed bollard light on a garden path, it should be IP65.

Another thing to consider is the placement of the light. You'll want to make sure that it's placed in a spot where it will provide the most benefit. If you're looking for security lighting, for example, you'll want to place it in a spot where it will cover the most area.

Types of Outdoor Lighting

Bollard Lights

Bollard lights are a great way to add some style and personality to your exteriors. They come in a range of different shapes and sizes, so you can find one that perfectly suits your style.

They're also a fantastic way to add some light to a yard or garden. Bollard lights are typically placed along the edge of a property or a pathway, and they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.

Bulkhead Lights

Bulkhead lights are perfect for a more industrial or functional styled exterior, these wall lights are perfect for lighting up your porch, statement areas close to the walls of your home or smaller garden spaces.

Porch Lights

Porch lights are great for illuminating your patio or area by the door. They provide an ample amount of light so that you can safely navigate your way around your property. They're also a great way to add some style and personality to your home.

They can also help you to see where you're going so that you don't trip and fall or worse, walk into a stranger's house.

Solar Lights

They're also a great way to add some light to your yard or garden. Solar lights typically use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity, which then powers the light making it a great way to save on energy costs as well as meaning that you don't have to worry about running wires to the light from a central power source.

Up and Down Lights

Down lights are perfect for task lighting. They provide direct lighting, which is perfect for reading or working while up lights are perfect for accent lighting. They provide indirect lighting, which is perfect for adding atmosphere to a room. Both up and down lights typically use less energy than other types of lights, making them a more eco-friendly option.

IP Ratings

An IP rating, or Ingress Protection rating, is a measure of how resistant a device is to foreign objects and moisture. It's given as a two-digit number, with the first digit indicating the degree of protection against dust and the second digit indicating the degree of protection against water.

For example, an IP43 rating means that the device is protected against dust particles and can withstand water spray from any direction. An IP65 rating, on the other hand, means that the device is protected against dust particles and can withstand water jets from any direction. IP68 rating however means that the light is completely protected against dust and can withstand continuous immersion in water.

When choosing outdoor lighting, it's important to make sure that you select a light with a high IP rating so that it can withstand all weather conditions. Additionally, a bathroom light will also require being IP rated (albeit not as high as an outdoor light) due to the moisture that is created in bathrooms by sinks, baths and showers.

Bulbs

When it comes to light bulbs, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The first is the type of bulb that you need. We offer 3 different types of light bulbs available, E14, E27 and LED.

To know which type of bulb you need, most of our lighting products contain the required bulb type in the product details.

E14 Bulbs

The E14 bulbs (also known as the Edison screw bulb) are smaller than their E27 counterparts and generally go in smaller lighting fixtures, however, we recommend checking the product details to be sure.

E27 Bulbs

The larger of the E type bulbs, the E27 bulb type are usually used in larger lighting fixtures such as chandeliers (though we recommend checking the product details to be sure). Coming with a screw cap fitting, E27 bulbs are easy to attach to their lighting fixtures and also come in a number of different styles.

LED Bulbs

LED bulbs are a great choice for lighting as they are both energy efficient and durable. They can last up to 50,000 hours, which is significantly longer than traditional light bulbs. Additionally, they use less energy, meaning that you'll save money on your energy bills.

LED bulbs come in a range of different colours, so you can choose the perfect one to match your space.

To confirm what kind of bulb you need, most of our lighting products contain the required bulb type in the product details.

Switches & Sockets

When it comes to lighting, one of the most important things to consider is the type of switch that you need. There are a variety of different types of switches available, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.

One of the most common types of switches is the toggle switch. These switches are easy to use and are perfect for people who are looking for a simple way to turn their lights on and off. They're also a great option for people who have limited mobility, as they're easy to operate with just one hand.

Another common type of switch is the dimmer switch. These switches allow you to adjust the brightness of your lights, making them perfect for people who want to create a relaxing atmosphere in their homes. Dimmer switches are also a great way to save energy, as they allow you to use less electricity without sacrificing quality. You will also need to purchase a dimmable light and bulb or have a certified electrician make your light dimmable otherwise the switch will not work.

We also offer a variety of sockets to power your newly purchased lighting.

Common errors when purchasing lighting

Not considering the IP rating of the light

One of the most common mistakes that people make when choosing outdoor or bathroom lighting is not considering the IP rating of the light. The IP rating is an important factor to consider, as it indicates how well the light is protected against dust and water.

When choosing an outdoor light, be sure to select one with a high IP rating so that it can withstand all types of weather conditions.

Not considering the type of bulb required

Another common mistake that people make is not purchasing the correct sized bulb required. Not considering the type of bulb required can result in bulbs not fitting correctly into the light fitting, which can be dangerous and can also damage both the light fitting and bulb.

When choosing a light bulb, be sure to select one that is the right type for your light fitting. Almost all lighting we offer will use either an E14, E27 or LED bulb with the required size listed in the product details.

Not using a certified electrician to install your lighting

When installing your lighting, we always recommend a qualified electrician to ensure the installation is done as quickly, correctly and safely as possible.