Lighting communal areas of our homes is very often an afterthought, with simple, functional lights left in place. We don’t spend much time in hallways and stairwells – and that is even more the case when considering apartments and flats. But they all need to be clearly lit up for the safety, and security of everyone living there, and visitors. In addition, there are running costs to consider, and of course, how the light fitting looks. In this post, we’re taking a look at how you can light up communal areas, whether they’re inside your home, or in a shared space, and we’ve pulled together a list of our favourites from our range that will almost certainly inspire you to take another look at your lighting.

 

Ways to make savings on lighting in communal areas

 

Electricity bills are high right now, and whether you’re in a shared complex, or just concerned with your own home, you don’t want to pay more than they have to for electricity. Luckily, there are a number of things we can recommend to help keep your lighting costs down.

 

LED bulbs are by far the most efficient type of bulb on the market, and they’re the main type of bulb you’ll find today. They use very little power to provide quite a lot of brightness, and they last a really, really long time. Not only does this offer immediate savings on your electricity bills, but it also saves you from having to replace them any time soon. In addition to those savings, LEDs are better for the planet than conventional bulbs – because they don’t contain toxic chemicals, and they’re easier to manufacture, and to recycle at the end of their lives. Many types of lighting now have LEDs integrated into their design, and with most LEDs expected to last six years or more (depending on the amount of time they are switched on each day) LEDs are great options to keep your communal areas lit up.

 

Lighting with sensors is also a great way of making sure that you’re not using more electricity than you have to. For indoor and outdoor lighting that switches on only when it is needed, look at lighting with motion detector, or passive infrared (PIR) sensors. This means the light will detect when someone is within a certain distance of the light (the distance is different depending on the light) and will automatically switch on. For outdoor lighting, dusk to dawn sensors help to ensure lights aren’t running unnecessarily through the day.

 

If you’re looking to reduce running costs to zero wherever possible, then solar powered lighting is the big saver for lighting up outdoor communal areas. Since solar powered lighting runs on power from the sun, once you’ve bought the light, there’s absolutely no extra to pay on your electricity bills. As long as the solar panel is in a spot that gets sufficient daylight, it will charge the battery in the unit, and the light (usually containing LEDs, so need less power) will stay on all night, or be triggered when required. If you’re lighting areas where it needs to be switched on when a resident or visitor is in the area, then look for a solar powered light that has a PIR, or motion detector, to keep the light from disturbing the local wildlife unnecessarily.

 

Communal indoor areas

 

When you’re lighting communal areas for multiple properties that are indoors, you might want to ensure the lights that will stay on in an emergency situation, and the power goes out. You might also want to consider whether lights should switch on only when someone is in the space, so that you’re not wasting power unnecessarily. Keep stairwells and hallways well-lit with recommendations from our range – we’ve chosen some of our favourites here, but there are hundreds of other styles for you to choose from.

 

Best ceiling light for communal hallways

 

The right ceiling light for communal hallways depends on the property – if there are lovely high ceilings in your home, then you can choose whatever type of lighting looks right, even up to, and including, an ornate chandelier. However, in most shared hallways for flats and apartments, a flush ceiling light is going to be the best option. Ceiling panels such as the Edit 24W Metal Square LED Surface Panel are a good choice, since they sit close to the ceiling, and are least likely to be exposed to accidental damage, but ceiling panels are also minimalist and functional. You don’t have to choose a boring style, even if you want simple and functional! We love the Edit Ring LED Flush Ceiling Light in white – it offers the brightness and simplicity of ceiling panels, while being a bit more interesting.

 

 

Best wall light for busy hallways and stairwells

 

Keeping hallways clear of clutter makes sense from a safety point of view, but when a hallway is particularly busy, the chances of lights being damaged is increased. You’ve almost certainly considered recessed ceiling lights in your home, but what about wall lights? We love this Warm White LED Recessed Wall Light by Edit for the glow that it gives – and we think it is absolutely perfect in stairwells and corridors. If round, or white light fittings aren’t quite right for the style of the property, then check out our range; we’ve got square recessed wall lights, ones with black finishes, and of course, different toned LEDs for the perfect brightness.

 

 

Best for highlighting artwork

 

If you’ve got artwork in corridors in your home, then you’re going to want to show it off perfectly so that it catches the eye, and that means picture lighting. These tiny additions to walls really do make a huge difference, and they’re a very affordable addition – and they’re so easy to install as well. Most picture lights use LEDs, which require very little power to run – and so there are even battery powered options too. You’ll find picture lights in our range in black, brass, bronze, chrome, and white, to name but a few, so you can match the colour scheme, and décor in the space perfectly. The Edit Hockney LED Picture Light in bronze is a sleek addition that connects to the mains, and emits a gorgeous warm white glow, while the Slimline Small Battery Operated LED Picture Light in matte gold is a battery operated style, requiring just 3 x AA batteries to light up your artwork perfectly.

Of course, picture lights don’t have to just be there to highlight your artwork or photos. With the tiny amounts of power that they require, they make perfect night lights too, ideal for middle of the night trips to the bathroom, a child’s bedroom, or if you’re getting up early for work and don’t want to put the main light on.

 

 

Best emergency ceiling light

 

The Clear Round 24W Hublot LED Surface Panel is a great choice for shared areas that need emergency lighting. Not only is it neutral enough to blend in with any style of décor in hallways, but it has a safety rating of IP65, which means it is waterproof, so you can use the same style in areas such as covered walkways and where doors might be propped open. It has daylight brightness LEDs, connects to mains voltage, and has a life expectancy of over 30,000 hours, so you can fit it and forget it for years.

 

 

Best for home gyms and indoor workout spaces

 

If you’re renovating your home, a block of flats or an apartment complex, adding a gym or workout space is an absolutely amazing perk. In addition to getting the right equipment in there, and a code lock, or card entry, you need great lighting. Since this type of space isn’t likely to get continual use throughout the day and night, LED batten lights with PIR sensors are a sensible, functional choice. The PIR sensor means the light will only switch on when someone’s in there getting their sweat on. The Storm 50W Cool White LED strip light is has bright white light that will definitely wake you up for your morning workout, and it is also weatherproof, so perfect for other areas around the outside of the property too.

 

Communal outdoor areas

 

Paths, entrances, car parks, and shared garden areas need reliable lighting. You want residents and visitors to avoid slips, trips, and falls, and although the property developer usually installs outdoor lighting for communal areas, you may be looking to enhance the look of your home, or to improve the security of the space.

 

Outdoor lighting needs to be safe for use, whatever the weather, which means all the outdoor lighting that you choose should have a minimum of IP44, and higher if you’re in an area that is particularly exposed to the elements. Depending on the area that the property is in, you may need your lighting to be vandal proof, as well as weather proof. These types of outdoor lights have a higher IP rating, and are made from tougher materials, so they are less easy to break.

 

When you’re lighting communal outdoor areas, you’re going to want the lights to come on at dusk, and to go off at dawn – and of course, you don’t want to have to rely on someone remembering to flick the switch, so look for lighting with sensors. If you’re lighting areas that only need to be lit up when someone is in nearby, then look at lighting with PIR, or motion sensors inbuilt.

 

Our recommendations for outdoor lighting in communal areas

 

We’ve scoured our range for some of the best outdoor lighting for communal areas – and there’s some absolute beauties. Your garden, driveway, and paths should look great, which is exactly what we’ve found to inspire you.

 

Best for communal car parks

 

There’s no such thing as a one-size fits all lighting solution for communal car parks, since it will very much depend upon the local area – proximity to neighbours, and existing street lighting are just two things to consider. But there’s a huge range of options for lighting up car parks in our range of driveway lighting. Puddle LED Ground Lights are a great choice, as they can be installed periodically across the ground to help guide visitors to the entrance to the building. Post lights are ideal for helping to light up car parking spaces, while lamp posts are a classic option for casting light across a wider area. The Edit Sorrento LED Outdoor Post Light is the perfect mix of traditional and modern.

 

Best for shared pathways

 

Being able to see when you’re navigating shared pathways is essential. That’s especially the case if there are children in the building, or during the winter months when there’s likely to be ice. The Iluzzia Helios Warm White Solar LED Post Light with PIR Sensor is easy to install, since it is solar powered – so there’s no mains wiring required, and no extra to pay on your electricity bills – and switches on when someone is within six metres. It also detects when the sun has gone down, and so you don’t need to remember to switch it on or off either. Perfection!

 

 

Best solar lighting for communal areas

 

When you need complete control over how your outdoor communal areas, but you don’t want to pay extra on your electricity bills, this Solar LED Floodlight with PIR Sensor and Remote Control is a great choice. With a slimline design, and easy to install bracket, it gives you control over how bright the light is, as well as the ability to only switch on when someone is within a six metre range. This is a functional choice, and great for enhancing the security of the property, and the only thing you’ll need to sort out is who has the remote, and where to keep it.

 

Best for entrances and doorways

 

Getting into the property shouldn’t be difficult for residents. This Welcome Solar LED Flush Wall Light with PIR Sensor is an absolutely brilliant choice, since it comes in an affordable pack of two, helping to clearly light the area around it. Since it is solar powered, there are no running costs, and the PIR sensor means that the light will only be on when someone is within three metres – perfect for being able to find your keys clearly and entering the building safely.

 

 

Best for covered areas

 

Areas such as bike sheds and collective bin storage need to be lit up – nobody wants to step on something that will accidentally injure them, or mean they have to clean their shoes! as they’re taking their bin bags out. In these areas, bulkhead lights work well, and look stylish too. The Edit Coastal Port Outdoor Flush Wall Light in matte nickel finish suits almost every type of property, and is easily fitted. Again, if the area is only in use occasionally, look for lighting with movement sensors.

 

 

Best for properties near the coast

 

Lighting for coastal properties and those up to ten miles or more inland needs careful thought and consideration. The corrosive nature of the extra salt in the air means that if you buy a regular light, the metal is likely to corrode quickly, and stop working. That’s why we’ve curated a special collection of outdoor lighting that is suitable for properties near the sea. The lights in this range are made from materials such as galvanised steel, brass, and specific types of plastic, to withstand the harshness of the salt. We love the Edit Coastal Sail Outdoor Up & Down Wall Light in brass, the Edit Coastal Newquay Half Lantern Outdoor Wall Light with Dusk to Dawn Sensor, and the Edit Coastal Tenby Round Recessed Ground Light in matte nickel, but you’ll find outdoor lighting perfect for all coastal properties in our range.

 

 

Our final thoughts

 

Whether you’re building a communal property, redeveloping one, or enhancing the lighting options for an existing block of flats, apartments, or your own home, then make sure you get it right. There’s a lot at stake, keeping you, and your visitors safe when you’re moving around the property. In addition to that, you’re going to want to keep electricity costs as low as possible, and with a combination of LEDs and solar powered lighting, you can do exactly that. Take your pick from our extensive range of lighting, to get the perfect look for the property, with the best value for money.

 

Remember, when you receive your new light from us, if you’re not completely satisfied with it, or maybe you couldn’t decide between two styles, then don’t worry. You’re covered by our Change Your Mind Guarantee, which makes it easy to return your orders for refund or exchange, and as long as you let us know within 30 days of receiving your order, we’ll help you make it happen. And finally, don’t forget, when you’ve installed your new lighting, tag us in your Instagram posts – we love to see them! – we’re @online_lighting.

Choosing lighting for a rented home is just one of the challenges of renting. You want to make it your own, but usually, you’re not allowed to make major changes, so personalising your space can be tough. That’s why in this post, we’ve pulled together some of the best types of lighting for homes that are rented.

 

Lamps

The easiest way to add lighting to a rented home is to use lamps, since they simply plug in. They can be used in most rooms throughout the home, and are an accessory that makes your home look better, since you can choose a lamp to match with your furniture, or choose a fun light for a bit more personality.

 

Table lamps are perfect where you need a bit extra light, such as next to sofas, on bedside tables, and on the desk in your home office. Coordinate with your soft furnishings such as cushions and curtains, or make a style statement. The Edit Cawa Table Lamp in white subtly nods towards the nautical trend, while the Edit Theo Table Lamp in silver, and the Hipias Table Lamp in white and gold are both striking home accessories.

 

 

 

If you need to add ambient light to a larger space, then a floor lamp should be on your list. Standard lamps take up little floor space, and depending on the shade you choose, can cast light over a large space, or simply provide a warm glow. Where space is really tight, some styles can save you needing additional furniture, such as the Linear Floor Lamp with Table in black. We also love the Iluzzia Moonlight Floor Lamp in white and gold, and the Rubra Floor Lamp for brightening up dark corners.

 

 

Shades

Another simple, inexpensive lighting swap you can make in rented accommodation is to switch out a light shade. Since most light shades simply unscrew on the light fitting, it is really easy to change the light shade to one that suits you. Our range of light shades has colours and textures to suit all homes, and some of our favourites? The Kuiva Ceiling Pendant Shade for a fun spop of colour, the Dar Oki Easy Fit Ceiling Pendant Shade in grey and chrome for a luxurious look, and the Deja Easy Fit Pendant Shade in natural, for a more rustic effect.

 

 

Plug in wall lights

In particularly small rooms, using lamps isn’t always an option for temporary lighting – and making permanent changes are out. In places where you might otherwise use a lamp, consider using a plug in wall light. These give you the lighting that you need, without the extra electrical installation work that a wall lamp requires. Not only that, some models can help with keeping your space clutter-free too, since they have USB charging ports built in. The Iluzzia Monah Wall Light with Plug in white and wood (also available in black and wood, pictured) has a metal shade that casts a lovely pattern perfect for bedrooms,  home offices, and reading nooks. The Edit Kylie Wall Light with Plug can be adjusted, so is a great option for tiny desk spaces and next to beds, while the Kubik Shelf and LED Wall Light with Plug & USB Charging Port is perfect for saving on trailing cables and extra sockets.

 

 

Battery operated picture lights

Just because you don’t own your home, doesn’t mean that it – and your artwork – shouldn’t look great. Our battery operated picture lights are easy to fit, and because they use LEDs, you won’t be changing (or recharging, if you’re using rechargeable ones) the batteries all that often. Choose picture lights with the size, and the finish that is going to suit your home the best – whether that is black, silver, gold, brass, or another finish entirely. A few of our bestsellers include the Slimline Large LED Battery Operated Picture Light in matt black, the Slimline Medium Battery Operated LED Picture Light With Remote Control in antique brass, and the Slimline Large Battery Operated LED Picture Light in satin nickel.

 

 

Garden lighting

Great lighting means you can easily improve the outside of your rented home to look better and feel safer. There are a wide range of garden lights that you can consider for security, and to enhance your outdoor living spaces.

If you have an outdoor power socket, Easyfit garden lights are exactly what they sound like – easy to fit! Simply place your lights, connect them to the transformer and plug in, and you’re done. You don’t even need to hide the cables if you don’t want, since they’re low voltage there’s little risk of shock occurring. There’s a wide range of styles to choose from too, including festoons, garden spotlights (some with different coloured lights), and post lights, and power saving accessories such as dusk to dawn sensors.

 

 

If you don’t want extra costs on your electricity bills, solar garden lights are the way forward. LEDs and improvements to batteries mean that solar powered lights are an excellent choice today, with plenty of brightness. Looking to enhance security? Our Solar LED Floodlight with PIR Sensor and Remote Control is a perfect example of how to do that. Light up paths with the Iluzzia Inti Warm White Solar LED Post Light with PIR Sensor, add brightness to summer houses and pergolas with the Edit 5m 3V Outdoor Solar LED Strip in warm white, or get a glow on patios and next to doors with the gorgeous Edit Arley Solar Outdoor LED Floor Lamp in natural.

 

 

Our final thoughts

Lighting up a rented home doesn’t have to be boring, or expensive. We’ve picked only a small selection for you in this post – and you’ll find so many more styles, at all different price points, in our range. Start browsing now to find the perfect look for your space, however temporary it may be – and if you don’t love your new light, our Change Your Mind Guarantee means you can return or exchange within 30 days of delivery. Don’t forget, when you’ve made your home your own with your lighting, tag us in your Instagram posts – we’re @online_lighting.

 

Instagram is the home of rich visuals and has been for over a decade now. It is the place for sharing photos of family, friends, trips away and exciting content on a variety of topics, including home décor. Hashtags such as #interiordesign has been used over 124,000,000 times, with #homedecor also racking up over 97,000,000 uses.

With this in mind, there is heaps of inspiration for the latest trends in home décor, so how can you make your home an Instagram dream? We’ve collated our favourite Instagram snaps featuring our very own trendy lights…

 

Perfect pendants

 

Pendants are a great way to add a touch of character or make a centrepiece for your room. The top rated Lucide Arthur 5 Light Bar Ceiling Pendant Light is perfect for kitchens and dining areas to provide intimate lighting whilst still being a stand out part of your home, and looks great on camera.

 

If you love the industrial aesthetic, then the Lucide Lester 6 Arm Ceiling Pendant Light is perfect for making office spaces the perfect Instagram-worthy WFH space.

 

Lovely Lamps

 

Lamps have the benefit of versatility in your home, finding a rightful place in bedrooms, hallways and living rooms. But if you want something that will fit your Instagram aesthetic, then the gorgeous Edit Malta Glass Touch Table Lamp is perfect. The white faux silk shade and brass finish is bang on trend, and the 3-step dimming helps you to create flawless ambient lighting.

 

If you are a fan of the cool toned, beachy vibe, then the Dar Ely Table Lamp fits the bill. Perfect for your living room or buy a pair for your bedside tables.

 

Garden glow

 

Outdoor spacing on Instagram really varies, so choosing something based on what would best suit your space and fits the visual you’re going for could be surprisingly easy to do. Outdoor spaces such as your garden can be a place for socialising and leisure, so making the space fun and different but also add a touch of light can be done much like this Instagrammer has done with festoons. They are versatile in their length and look, and suit decking (much like the image), along fences and even in trees. Some insta-worthy festoons we recommend include the Konstsmide 9.75M Amber LED Oval Festoon Lights and the Garden 24V 5.5M Heavy Duty LED Golf Ball Festoon Lights.

 

If you are more inspired by the classic, traditional home accounts on Instagram then lanterns are perfect for you. They can be mounted by front or back doors, providing the perfect, safe and secure lighting for your home, all while looking picture perfect. Some of our favourite lanterns include Edit Carlo Outdoor Hanging Lantern Wall Light with a gorgeous antique gold finish, or for something sleek and black the Searchlight Alex Outdoor Lantern Wall Light is ideal.

 

Whatever has inspired you on Instagram, create your dream home from a choice of trends that you will love and last on your own home account. For further inspiration, you can shop by room on our website. Or, if you already have the perfect snap of your Online Lighting product, tag us in your post on Instagram, @online_lighting.

 

 

Maintaining the feeling of space and light in small homes and small rooms can be a challenge when you’re decorating and adding lighting. You don’t want your home to feel cluttered, and particularly during the winter when there isn’t much natural light, you need to feel that rooms are as light and airy as possible. Although trends such as oversized lighting – which is in for 2023 – come and go, when you’re lighting up a small space, you need to get the balance of space and light right. In this post, we’re looking at how your lighting fixtures can help you to maintain that feeling of space you want – even in the smallest of rooms – while making sure you have the brightness you need.

 

Whichever type of lighting you’re choosing, there are a few things to note that will help you to keep the space feeling light and airy.

 

• Metallic light fixtures helps to bounce the light around, creating the impression of more light
• Glass and crystal fixtures allow natural daylight to pass through, and will therefore feel more open
• Lighter colours feel less cluttered
• The more open the fixture, the less visually heavy it will look – and light will pass through better

 

You’ll also need to think about how best to use lighting in the space. Layering your lighting means that you can create the right look for whatever you’re doing in the space, but using different types of lighting can also help to make spaces feel more open, especially in darker corners of the room. To layer your lighting, make sure you have ambient light – typically from ceiling and wall lights – as well as task lighting, and accent lighting. There is often an overlap in which category different types of lighting fits with, so don’t get too hung up on that. Just know that you need a range of different lights in your space.

 

With all that in mind, let’s see how to make the best of lighting in spaces that are small, feel cluttered, or with low ceilings.

 

Lights for rooms with low ceilings

When ceilings are low, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there aren’t many lighting options, and that you’ll be stuck with a boring, slimline design. While flush ceiling lights are likely to be the best option in many cases for rooms with low ceilings, they aren’t the only choice that you have. You only need to go for a minimalist design light if you truly want to – we have some absolutely gorgeous decorative flush lights that won’t make the ceiling feel cluttered. We’ve picked some great lights here, but you can find many more in our collection of low ceiling lights.

 

Flush ceiling lights

Whether you decide to choose a sleek, minimalist flush ceiling light, or an intricately ornate design will depend on how you choose to decorate the space, how much furniture is in the space, and so on. If the room is visually busy, then a simpler ceiling light is likely to be a better choice, and if the room has fewer things in it, you can choose a more decorative light, such as one in the Tiffany style, to create visual interest. If you want to add glamour, consider the Stromsholm Crystal Flush Ceiling Light in antique gold, but if you want simple but interesting, the Edit Amatler Flush Ceiling Light in brass could be for you. If you want more natural materials in your home, the Edit Koks 20W CCT Selectable LED Flush Ceiling Light in wood is a great option.

 

 

Downlights and spotlights

Downlights and spotlights are a great choice in rooms with low ceilings, since they take up so little space – and if you’re really short on space, then recessed downlights mean that you won’t lose any valuable headroom at all. If you’re aiming to keep your ceilings visually clear, then look for recessed downlights with white surrounds, or look for plaster-in styles.

You have plenty of choices – our range of downlights has many styles with brass and gold tones, as well as silver and chrome finishes. All of these make for great options, especially if you have hardware such as drawer handles and light switch plates in those tones.

If you have a little more space overhead, then adjustable downlights can also be an option. You’ll find many downlight styles that are available in packs, so you get even greater value for money. While downlights aren’t as exciting as some other styles, here are a few styles that we love:

 

Edit Deep Recessed Fixed Downlight in white (pack of 10)

Lucide Rayen Bathroom LED Ceiling Spotlight in black

Versa Recessed Adjustable Downlight in white with brass reflector

 

Spotlights, on the other hand, have an incredibly large number of options, and are flexible in that they can be used in so many different ways. Our range of spotlights has more ornate styles, so you can get a little bit more decoration without taking up a lot of room. And since they are more a prominent light than downlights are, they’re great for in rooms that have slightly higher ceilings, and for lighting up specific areas. If you’re looking for functional ambient light, look for styles with multiple bulbs being suitable to brighten up areas of your home.

Spotlights that we recommend? The Edit Benton 3 Light Spotlight Plate in polished chrome, the Lucide Preston 2 Light LED Ceiling Spotlight Bar in matte gold, and the Edit Oasis Single Ceiling Spotlight in white. You can choose spotlights in other finishes though, and you’ll find black, bronze, copper, and grey tones to browse in our range.

 

 

Wall lights for small rooms

If ceilings are really low, then ambient light might have to come from another place in the room. Wall lights make sense in small rooms, and in corridors with low ceilings, since they are less likely to be in the way or to cause accidental injury if someone tall is walking underneath them. Wall lights can be as simple as plaster lights, or they can be decorative as you like – as well as providing the brightness you need. Let’s take a look.

 

Flush wall lights

Where space is super tight, then a flush wall light is likely to be the best option, and the needs of the space and the décor you’ve chosen will influence what type of flush wall light you choose. Small, tight spaces such as corridors that need functional light can make use of LED tube light styles such as the Edit Ice Tube LED Medium Flush Wall Light in chrome – bright and simple is often best in these spaces.

To add visual interest to a wall – perhaps in a room with a low ceiling – look for a flush wall light that has an interesting shade or pattern. The Edit Light in black is a minimalist wall light with a sleek aesthetic that sits semi-flush to the wall, while the Edit Orbit in natural is a soft and simple choice with a built in decorative cord switch. The Marya wall light in rattan, white and black outline is a darker, yet decorative way to add light to a smaller space and gently lets the light through the weaved material and white panel.

 

 

Picture lights

You’d be surprised how much brightness a tiny picture light can add to a room. But if you’ve invested in a gorgeous piece of art, or you simply have a print or photo that you love, you want to be able to see it clearly, even when the lights are low. Adding a picture light is one of the quickest additions that you can do for your space, since many styles are battery operated, and simply need to be stuck to the wall with a self-adhesive, magnetic back plate, making it easy for you to change the battery when necessary. But the great thing is that most picture lights now have LED bulbs which use very little power to provide a lot of light – so you won’t need to change the battery all that often.

As you’d expect, there are a range of different styles and finishes for picture lights, so you can choose which will work best for your space based on the décor style. Modern homes will look great with sleek black or white picture lights, while traditional homes with antique styling might opt for bronze, brass, and gold finishes. If your home is somewhere in between traditional and modern, or perhaps other pieces of furniture have silver, nickel, or chrome on them (such as on door handles and drawer pulls) then you might choose a picture light with the same finish, for a matching look. We love the Lucide Erwan LED Picture Light in chrome, the Edit Giotto LED Medium Picture Light in antique brass, and the Edit Lenny LED Picture Light in white.

 

Slimline and small lamps

Lamps are a great way to add light to a room quickly and easily, and are simple to install – they just plug in and switch on. You’ll find a huge number of different styles in our range of lamps, with many materials, colours, and finishes – so you’ll almost certainly find the perfect lamp for your space.

 

Floor lamps

Floor lamps are amazing for adding extra ambient light to a room, as well as providing light for reading – and they can even be used to highlight certain features, if you choose an uplighter style such as the Edit Ascend Plaster Uplighter Floor Lamp. To keep the feeling of space in the room, the simpler the lamp, the better. Floor lamps that we love include the Edit Sahani Floor Lamp, the Lucide Mesh Floor Lamp in black and the Linear Floor Lamp with inbuilt table – perfect for a drink while you’re sat reading!

 

 

Table lamps

Depending on how big the surface is, you may be able to make use of a slightly bigger lamp on a table – especially if the design is relatively simple. But there’s always the option of a more unusual design too, to create a talking point. If you’re planning on making a statement with your table lamp, choose a minimal design such as our choices, or one with a glass or crystal surround that lets the natural light pass through it, as well as when the light is switched on. Beautiful open table lamps in our range include the Edit Sider Table Lamp in white & wood, the Edit Shirley Table Lamp in gold, and the Lucide Suus Table Lamp in black.

 

 

Small lights that take up barely any space

Sometimes there simply isn’t space to add a light, or you need a quick, easy, and flexible solution. In this section, we’re

looking at some of the ways that you can add light, without taking up valuable room – whether you need it to function, or you need it to highlight an area that you love, such as a cabinet or a book case.

 

Bedsides and reading lights

When you’re adding lighting to a small bedroom, bedside tables and lamps may not be possible – but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have convenient lighting for reading and getting into bed. Wall lights can be a great alternative where bedside cabinet space is tight – just think about some of the hotels you’ve stayed in. Hotels often have wall lights installed next to the bed, that can be turned off and on by a switch next to the bed, rather than a table lamp. You can create this effect without needing an electrician by installing a wall light with a plug – and if you’re adding to a reading area, look for a wall light that can be angled.

If a wall light isn’t a possibility, how about using a single pendant light? A pendant hanging from the ceiling doesn’t take up any wall space, floor space, or surface space, and they look great with one on either side of the bed. If you don’t want to install switches next to the bed, then add smart bulbs – they can usually be dimmed and change colour too, which makes for a more gentle morning or bedtime. You can connect smart bulbs to your Alexa or Google Nest, or simply install the app for the bulb on your phone. Browse our range of smart lighting to find the perfect bulb.

Our favourite alternatives to bedside lamps and reading lights? The Iluzzia Monah Wall Light with Plug in black and wood finish, the Edit Cable Cascade Ceiling Pendant Light in black with decorative filament bulbs, and the Edit Kuomba LED Reading Light in black.

 

 

Under-cabinet lights & LED strips

If you want to add accent lighting to a room but you don’t have space for a spotlight, or perhaps you don’t want the hassle of installing it, then an under-cabinet light, or an LED strip can be an alternative. With LED strips, you can simply peel the backing from them, and stick them where you want them. Many LED strips are colour changing and dimmable, allowing you to set the perfect atmosphere in the space, and some have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can control them from your smartphone. Your bookshelves and cabinets will never have looked as pretty!

 

String lights

We know, we talk about string lights all the time – fairy lights are definitely not just for Christmas! But if you want to add a little bit more brightness and prettiness to a space – especially for a child’s bedroom, a conservatory, or maybe a cosy home office space – then string lights can be a great way to do that, without taking up space. Not only that, but using string lights can be done on a budget, since LED fairy lights and festoons are inexpensive to buy and to run. They don’t take any difficult installation either, you just need to place them or pin them where you want them, and turn them on. You won’t even need access to a plug socket if you have battery powered ones, and since LEDs don’t take much power for considerable brightness, you won’t even need to recharge them very often either.

Great options for string lights include the Heart 1.7M Battery Operated Warm White LED String Lights, these Edit 3M Daylight LED Curtain String Lights, and the Edit Edison 2M Battery Operated Warm White LED String Lights.

 

 

Our final thoughts

Keeping your home feeling light, bright, and airy without the clutter is simple, as long as you get the right types of lighting in each space. In most cases, the key is to choose light fittings that allow natural light to pass through them easily, such as wire mesh, glass, and crystal, and to have small, slim lighting that casts a bright light. And of course, not forgetting to layer your lighting, so that you can get the right amount of brightness for the room. With these tips, you’re almost certainly going to find the right lighting to keep your home perfectly lit up, without taking up room. When you’ve installed your lighting, and you love it, don’t forget to tag us in your Instagram posts – we’re @onlinelighting.

 

With booming visual content on social media, trends for your home are flooded on our Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards, but how can you find those perfect lights for your home? We’ve collated our favourite current lighting trends to help you make the best investments for your indoor and outdoor space.

 

Cascading ceiling pendants

Those lucky enough to have high ceilings, or stairwells – this trend is for you. That type of space can feel very empty, and you need lighting anyway, so why not make a statement with a cascading ceiling pendant? The Searchlight Ice Cube 20 Light LED Cascade Ceiling Pendant in chrome is a stunning choice for this trend, and provides warm white light. With a drop of 3 metres, this light would look incredible next to a spiral staircase.

If you don’t have quite that amount of space, or indeed a dramatic stairwell, look for shorter cascade ceiling pendants. These shorter styles can be used in other areas of the home, such as to replace a bedside table, or in a reading nook. Try the Searchlight Zara 3 Light LED Cascade Ceiling Light in chrome, or for a more moody look, the Edit Delice LED 3 Light Cluster Ceiling Pendant in black.

 

 

Natural materials

Making more environmentally friendly choices, such as using less single-use plastic is a massive trend that we know will be a big part of our future. But the trend towards using natural and more sustainable materials is moving into other areas of our lives – including natural lighting choices. Materials such as natural wood, wicker, and bamboo are all great options, because they’re easily recycled at the end of their working lives – along with LEDs being easier to recycle too. Want to get in on this trend? We love the Edit Ronax Floor Lamp, the Iluzzia Nabulo Ceiling Pendant Light, and the Iluzzia Nagua Bamboo Flush Wall Light.

 

 

Outdoor lanterns

During the winter months, lighting the outside of your home is a matter of safety – especially in the winter. But great outdoor lighting shouldn’t be simply functional, it should look beautiful too. Your personal taste, and the style of your property will have a huge impact on the type of outdoor lighting that you choose for your home, but lanterns are an option that are not only on-trend, but classic, which means that you won’t need to replace them any time soon either.

If you love a classic look but want something other than the traditional black, try the Konstsmide Firenze Outdoor Lantern Wall Light in green. For a much more modern take on the lantern, the Edit Silistra Outdoor Wall Light fits the bill perfectly.

If you live within around 10 miles of the sea, make sure you’re choosing a coastal outdoor light, so that metal parts aren’t going to be corroded by the salt in the air. We love the Edit Coastal Cabin Half Lantern Outdoor Wall Light in oxidised black, for the sleek, yet rustic simplicity it offers.

 

 

Solar lighting

Solar lighting went through a dark time (quite literally!) before LED technology really improved. Remember those terrible stake lights that everyone seemed to have in their gardens? Well, today’s solar lighting is much better, and with the cost of energy increasing, there’s no wonder that solar lighting is trending for driveways, paths, gardens, and patios. You can use solar lighting anywhere that gets sunlight for at least part of the day – and there’s no mains power connection required, and no extra on your electricity bill.

Solar stake lights today are just as simple to install as those terrible plastic ones in the late 90s were, but they are much more durable, and provide much better brightness. The Iluzzia Helios Cool White Solar LED Post Light with PIR Sensor in stainless steel finish is a brilliant option for use on driveways and alongside paths.

If you’re already looking forward to warmer evenings on the patio, the Jumbo Damasque Outdoor Solar LED Lantern in silver is a decorative light and is easily moved, if you find it isn’t in an optimal location for the sun during the day. Want the light overhead? Look at festoons such as these 10M Solar Warm White LED Festoon Lights for a dreamy, celebratory look – and if you love the look of string lights around your patio as much as we do, then check out our guide to everything fairy and festoon here.

If this has you thinking ahead and planning for the summer months, you can find out more about different types of garden and outdoor lighting in our guide here.

 

 

Our final thoughts

There is such a variety of trends for home interior that change almost seasonally, so it is important to make sure you invest in lighting that you will love in your home for a long time. Weather you are looking to spruce up your kitchen or elevate your home office, you can shop by room on our website to find the latest lights to suit you and your home.

We know that choosing lighting online isn’t always easy, so if you don’t get it right first time, don’t worry. Our Change your Mind Guarantee means that you can return your order within 30 days of your delivery date. Of course, when you’ve installed your lighting and you love it, don’t forget to tag us in your Instagram posts! We’re @online_lighting – follow us there for gorgeous pics to inspire you.

 

 

Each year in December, Pantone announce their colour of the year for the year ahead. It is thoughtfully chosen, based on factors that they believe society needs, or could benefit from during the year ahead. The colour of the year is a trend forecaster, and so once it is picked, within days you’ll start to see that colour absolutely everywhere, from clothing to interior design, and more. With that in mind, in this post we’re taking a deep dive into the Pantone colour of the year for 2023, how to use it in your home, what lighting works with it, and more.

 

What colour have Pantone chosen for 2023?

Let’s get straight into it! Pantone have selected the shade Viva Magenta 18-1750 for 2023. The announcement was made at Art Basel, Miami, on December 1^st, 2022, and you can see the full discussion .

 

Why did Pantone choose Viva Magenta?

Pantone chose Viva Magenta because, as a shade close to red, it represents a “new signal of strength”. It is described as “brave and fearless… a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative”. As a shade between red and pink, with purple undertones, Viva Magenta is a powerful, empowering shade that is cheerful, encouraging people to experiment with how they want to express themselves.

The Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman is quoted as saying:

“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.

Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.”

 

How do Pantone choose their colour of the year?

As we’ve already mentioned, Pantone makes their choice for colour of the year based on the current goings-on in the world. Their research is conducted by Pantone experts, who draw on influences such as creations by the entertainment industry, the worlds of art, fashion, design, as well as aspirational travel destinations, different lifestyles and so on. There may be influences from technology, world events such as sports competitions, socio-economic trends, and more.

Since there is a huge connection between colour and emotion, the choice of colour of the year tends to capture the collective, overarching mood of the world’s population. Viva Magenta is a joyful colour, full of hope – which, considering the current economic climate, we could all do with a bit of.

A clear example of how this has worked in the past is the choice of colour of the year for 2020. Pantone chose Classic Blue (19-4052) to signify calm, confidence, and connection as we transitioned into the new decade – all of which was deemed to be important as we moved into an entirely new era. Of course, we don’t need to tell you about how those qualities were all things we came to need personally and collectively as the pandemic took hold around the world and lockdowns started to happen.

 

What colours go with Viva Magenta?

Pantone suggest a palette of muted hues to complement Viva Magenta – and considering the boldness of the shade, it is not surprising that their experts have deemed it necessary to balance the brightness of it. In the ‘Magentaverse’, you’ll find:

• Pale Dogwood (13-1404) – a pale rose pink
• Gray Sand (13-1010) – a light shade that evokes the colour of the beach
• Gray Lilac (13-3804) – a warm grey with purple undertones
• Pale Khaki (15-1216) – a light brown with yellowish undertones
• Fields of Rye (15-1115) – a light brown
• Agate Gray (15-6307) – a greenish grey
• Plein Air (13-411) – a light blue with grey undertones

While it is a vibrant hue, it is close to the colour of cochineal, which is a naturally occurring dye. That means it is also possible to choose colours that you’d find in nature to work with it. Deep browns, greens, blues, and yellows can all be used alongside Viva Magenta, as well as metallic shades of silver and gold.

 

How do I use Viva Magenta in the home?

There are a number of ways that you can use Viva Magenta in your home, whether you want to go all out, or you just want to add little hits of colour throughout a space. If you can see yourself bringing this bold shade into your home, let’s look at the ways that you can bring it in.

 

On walls

Wall décor is the logical place to start. For individuals that are brave and are committed to using Viva Magenta on their walls, it is worth thinking particularly carefully before you use it to paint everywhere. Viva Magenta is a darker shade, and so you’ll need to look at the space you’re decorating. Small rooms, and those that lack sufficient light may be overpowered by Viva Magenta – however, it can be a great choice in colder rooms, offering the illusion of warmth. And of course, you don’t have to use a single colour on every wall! You can paint a single wall, or a couple, depending on the space.

That said, accent walls need to be used carefully to avoid looking dated. Some designers are using accent walls to draw attention to architectural features, while others are using colour to create accent corners, rather than painting whole walls in a particular hue. Finding a wallpaper that has Viva Magenta in the design can also be an option, and choosing wallpaper with texture can also be far more interesting than a flat coat of paint.

 

As Viva Magenta is such a strong colour, if you’re using it on the walls, rather than using lots of different colours with it, keep it simple. Use Viva Magenta as the primary colour, and pick one or two shades to accompany it. Particularly in smaller spaces, a colour such as Viva Magenta can overwhelm, and if you use too many other strong colours in the space, it may simply be too much.

 

 

On soft furnishings

If you’re already thinking you don’t want to paint your walls this shade… well, we don’t blame you. Viva Magenta is a really bold choice of colour to use in interior design, and most of us have had to paint over a darker shade in our homes at one point or another – it can be a bit of a mission, to say the least! Luckily, you don’t have to fear the day you have to use multiple coats of paint to cover up a bold colour – you can simply use the colour in other ways.

 

 

Rather than going all out with Viva Magenta, the easiest way to bring the shade into your home is to use what interior designers refer to as ‘pops of colour’. This means choosing soft furnishings such as curtains, cushions, lamp shades, throws, bedding, rugs, and so on in the shade. Using this approach, you have complete control over how much you want to bring in. If you want to add those pops of Viva Magenta on your walls, look for bright artwork, prints, or photographs that feature the hue.

 

As the main colour on furniture

Another option would be to pick furniture in the hue – a bold magenta sofa, or a headboard for a bed certainly make a statement, but they can be expensive. A lower cost, and lower commitment way would be to find temporary covers. Throws and stretchy covers can do this for you, without needing to buy a brand new sofa, or headboard.

 

 

Alternatively, if you fancy an upcycle project, then an old piece of wooden furniture can be sanded down and finished in Viva Magenta – and the same goes for metal pieces such as filing cabinets and shelving.

 

What lighting goes with Viva Magenta?

Choosing the right lighting is always an important decision when you’re decorating your home – and of course, you’ll be looking for a number of different types of lights, including ambient light, task lighting, and accent lights. There are a few finishes that you can look for that will look great with Viva Magenta, so let’s take a look at the types of lighting to choose from.

 

 

Yellow gold and brass tones

As a bold, jewel-like tone, a great choice is to work with gold and brass lighting. The Edit Greenwich ceiling pendant in antique brass works wonderfully with Viva Magenta, and acts as a statement piece without being too busy, or detracting from bold colours.

 

 

To ground the brightness of Viva Magenta, then look at those other colours that Pantone have in the Magentaverse palette. The Edit Carlton Ceiling Pendant in antique gold and mink suits the Pantone palette perfectly. The antique gold is a gorgeous rich tone, and the mink shade is grounding against Viva Magenta.

 

 

We wrote about it on the blog before, because it is such a fantastic choice of lamp! The Edit Malta glass touch table lamp in brass finish works brilliantly with Viva Magenta. Featuring aged brass details and a white faux silk shade, as well as three-step dimming, the Malta lamp works perfectly in bedrooms and living rooms.

 

 

If you’re looking for decorative lighting in a room that features Viva Magenta, consider the Edit Bank glass flush wall light in amber. With warm antique gold tones and amber glass, this wall light is gorgeous and creates interesting shadows – both functional, and beautiful.

 

 

Silver tones

As with gold, silver and chrome can be used alongside Viva Magenta, since silver tones are simple enough not to compete with the powerful red-pink hue. Similar to gold toned lighting, you can select sleek, elegant styles, or look for light fittings that sparkle for an even more decorative effect.

For ceiling lights, the Etienne flush ceiling light in chrome offers a gorgeous simple yet sumptuous effect.

 

 

Ornate chandelier styles work beautifully too – the Edit Bank glass chandelier in amber is a great example for a luxurious space. If simpler styles suit your taste better, look for bar pendants and LED ceiling lights in chrome or silver or even gold finishes.

 

 

You’ll find plenty of wall lights and lamps in silver, chrome and nickel that suit Viva Magenta too. Our favourites include the Edit Wimbledon Glass Wall Light in polished nickel, and for a bit of fun, the Edit Theo table lamp in silver.

 

 

Earthy, natural tones

Balancing out the brightness of Viva Magenta might feel tricky, but with neutral, natural materials, it is less so – which is why the team at Pantone selected the muted hues to round out the ‘Magentaverse’ palette. With materials such as wood, rattan, and even stone hues, earthy tones are a great balance to the brightness of Viva Magenta.

The Iluzzia Huela rattan ceiling pendant light is a lovely neutral option, while the Yagis wood five light bar ceiling pendant in natural and white (also available in natural and black) brings the feeling of the outdoors in.

 

 

The Edit Spectacle flush wall light in rattan is a striking piece that casts interesting shadows on the wall, while the Lucide Jantine table lamp in rattan is a great piece that complements it for additional brightness.

 

 

Black and white

When you’re not sure what to use to pair with a colour, you can’t go wrong with either black or white. Both black and white provide contrast with Viva Magenta, and so if the room is visually busy, then choosing lighting in black and white tones is a good choice.

It is easy to find ceiling lighting in black or white – the difficult bit is narrowing it down to which ones are going on your shortlist! We absolutely adore the Paris 10 arm ceiling pendant light in black. It is simple yet striking, and is a feature light that isn’t fussy. If you prefer a white light fixture to contrast with Viva Magenta, then the Edit Ballnew Ceiling Pendant in white is a gorgeous option.

 

 

If you’re searching for wall lighting, the Iluzzia Monah wall light with plug is an easy install, and features white and wood tones that gently complement Viva Magenta. To add more brightness to a space, check out the Edit Slim LED wall light in black.

 

 

In terms of lamps, we love the Edit Tripod floor lamp in black, and the Lucide Goosy soft tripod floor lamp in white is a great way to bring natural texture into a space featuring strong colours such as Viva Magenta.

 

What other colours have Pantone chosen for colour of the year?

Pantone have been choosing colour of the year since the year 2000, and the colours have varied wildly – and some years, they have chosen two colours that complement each other. The past ten years have seen vibrant shades, (even when they chose grey as their colour in 2021, they paired it with the sunny yellow of Illuminating!) and you can see the complete list back to the year 2000 here.

2012 – Tangerine Tango (17-1463)

2013 – Emerald (17-5641)

2014 – Radiant Orchid (18-3224)

2015 – Marsala (18-1438)

2016 – Rose Quartz (13-1520) and Serenity (15-3919)

2017 – Greenery (15-0343)

2018 – Ultra Violet (18-3838)

2019 – Living Coral (16-1546)

2020 – Classic Blue (19-4052)

2021 – Ultimate Gray (17-5104) and Illuminating (13-0647)

2022 – Very Peri (17-3938)

 

What are the numbers after Pantone colours?

Being specialists in colour, it makes sense that each slightly different shade would need a unique identifier. The numbers and sometimes letters after a Pantone shade are a bit like a numberplate on a car – simply a way of ensuring you’ve selected the right one. You can read all about Pantone numbers here.

 

Is Pantone the only company that chooses a colour of the year?

Absolutely not! There are a number of other companies that select a colour of the year, to influence the trends, both in terms of interior design and fashion, as well as other design. Three of the major influences picking colour of the year:

• UK paint powerhouse Dulux have selected Wild Wonder for 2023, a lightly glowing hue that is reminiscent of natural straw in the summer. This makes it a great neutral shade, without being boring.
• US paint specialists Benjamin Moore have chosen Raspberry Blush 2008-30, a bold coral tinged with pink as their colour of the year for 2023.
• Graphics experts Shutterstock chose Digital Lavender as their colour of the year for 2023.

 

Our final thoughts

When you’re working with a bold colour like Viva Magenta, you have to get the right lighting. But differences in screen brightness, and the fact that things simply look different when you get them home means that ordering lighting online can be intimidating – you don’t want to get the wrong thing. That’s why we created the Change Your Mind guarantee, so that when you order from us, you can change your mind up to 30 days after your delivery date.

Whether you’re adding large amounts of Viva Magenta to your home, or you’re just adding pops of it throughout your home, don’t forget to tag us in your Instagram posts @online_lighting, so we can share with our followers too.

 

 

 

At the start of a new year, many of us start to think about what we’re planning to do in our homes during the year ahead. We start to see our homes more clearly as we’ve cleaned up after Christmas and New Year parties, and after we’ve put the holiday decorations away. We think about which areas of our homes look tired and worn, and what work needs to be done to bring it up to date. Even if we’re thinking about decorating in a classic, traditional style that will last for years, many of us are thinking about the trends and how we can incorporate them into our homes.

 

 

In this post, we’re taking a look at the trends that are expected to be the big hitters in 2023 – and of course, how lighting fits with those trends.

 

Sustainability

Saving the planet has been on the agenda for many of us for a long time now – and the trend of focusing on sustainability continues into 2023. We’re all minimising our use of single use plastics and disposable items, and reusing items as much as possible, but that isn’t where it ends, especially when it comes to home décor. The interior design trend this year is towards buying fewer better quality items, with more care and thought.

With the continued emphasis on making changes to save the planet, there’s little surprise that some of these micro-trends within the sustainability trend have started to come up.

 

Solid wooden furniture

As we aim to use fewer natural resources, and to use renewable materials wherever possible, it makes sense that natural woods are used for furniture. Fast growing woods such as pine, birch, and willow are all great options, since the forests can be managed sustainably. With the right wood finish, they’re stronger and more durable, and are better for the environment than manufactured woods like MDF and chipboard. Not only that, but they’re also easier to recycle at the end of their lives too.

 

 

To hit this trend, homes that want to lower their impact on the environment should be looking for solid wooden furniture. For quite some time, darker wood finishes have been out of favour with interior designers, who have said they are dated – and have chosen white, grey, and blonde wood finishes instead. But recently, the interior design world has realised that the classic nature of darker woods means that it continues look great in homes for years to come.

That logic can be applied to lighting too – there are some gorgeous lighting options that will complement darker wooden furniture. The Edit Wawak Pendant, the Lucide Idaho Wall Light, and the Edit Qaanso Floor Lamp are all fabulous choices if you’re getting in on the trend, and there are more pieces hitting our stock soon.

 

 

You can, of course, buy brand new furniture in darker wood finishes – especially if you’re buying from companies that make items to order. But there is still a lot of dark wooden furniture to be found in places like second hand shops, flea markets and charity shops, making it a great way to get on board with our next trend: upcycling.

 

Upcycling

Upcycling used to be left to hippy types and people on serious budgets, but in the past few years it has become way more mainstream. People are realising that they can create the perfect piece of furniture by refinishing or adapting an old piece they already have, using them in different ways, and incorporating them into bigger creations.

If you’ve never done any upcycling of furniture before, then search for projects online to inspire you. Search for ‘Ikea hacks’ and you’ll find thousands of ideas – and of course, you don’t have to be using Ikea furniture to use those ideas to undertake your own projects.

 

 

When it comes to lighting, people often shy away from attempting upcycling due to the fact that lighting requires electricity – which can be scary (and dangerous!) if it isn’t done well. While we’d aways recommend hiring a qualified electrician for projects that involve mains power, there are some great ways to improve old lighting fixtures, or to create unique lighting without needing an electrician. Simple, inexpensive upcycling projects involving lighting that we love?

 

• Make use of fairy lights – wrap them around furniture, or put them in glass vessels to create quick and easy lighting (or just buy our Bottle Cork Battery Operated LED Micro Silver Wire Fairy Lights – we won’t tell if you pretend you did it yourself!)
• Incorporate LED candles into your projects – they’re perfect for adding to bowls, lanterns, and in fireplaces to build a warming glow, with just a battery or two required.
• Get creative with LED strips – they are perfect for easy DIY upcycling projects, with little to no risk to you or your home. Try the Tagra 24W Warm White LED 12V Tape.

 

 

Sustainable lighting options

When it comes to lighting, there’s a few things you can do to hit on the sustainability trend. Choosing lighting made from sustainable materials is the first thing, of course. We wrote a whole post about lighting made from natural materials a while ago, and we’re continuing to increase our range of lighting made from wood, rattan, and bamboo as well as natural stone. But natural materials aren’t the only ones that are a good option for the environment, or that are easy to make and recycle. Glass and aluminium are infinitely recyclable, as are some other metals – making them a sustainable choice.

 

 

In addition to using sustainable materials, the trend towards using lighting in better ways is going to continue. Energy saving bulbs have been around for some time now, but LED lighting is an even better way forward, for several reasons:

 

• Because they use so little power to provide bright lighting.
• In many cases, LEDs can change colour temperature and brightness, without needing additional dimmer switches.
• They can last a really time before they need replacing – in many cases, more than five years if used continuously 24/7!
• They’re difficult to break – unlike glass bulbs – and can withstand shock, vibration, and cold temperatures.
• They are easier to recycle than traditional filament bulbs, and don’t contain the toxic chemicals that traditional bulbs had.

 

That’s great news for the environment, your wallet, and your electricity bills! If you’re yet to make the switch to LED bulbs, there really has never been a better time.

 

 

Thinking about using lighting better, think about replacing older lighting with smart lighting. Smart lighting can stop you from having to wander around your home turning lights off – or from having to wonder whether they’re off. Smart lighting connects to your Wi-Fi, and can be controlled by an app on your phone, or via voice assistants like Alexa or Google. Saying “Alexa, turn off the light in the kitchen” is much easier than putting your slippers on when you’ve just got comfortable in bed! (a quick note – if you’re planning to connect to a voice assistant, make sure the lighting or bulb has the right connectivity before you buy)

 

 

Finally, when you’re choosing lighting for outside your home and in your garden, look for solar powered outdoor lighting. Solar powered lighting performs brilliantly these days, and is a real alternative to mains powered garden lighting – even for security lights. Not only does solar power mean that you can reduce your power consumption, which is better for the environment and your electricity bills, but it means that you can install that lighting anywhere, as long as it is exposed to enough sunshine during the day. If you’re looking for outdoor lighting that only needs to be on at certain times, look for motion detectors and PIR sensors, those with Wi-Fi connectivity, and dusk until dawn sensors so you get the light when you need it.

 

Brighter, whiter kitchens

If 2023 is going to be the year that you finally change your kitchen, and you want it to be on trend, then look at bright white kitchens. White kitchens never truly went away, since they are such a classic, but off-whites, greys, and marbled tones were favoured, as well as bold coloured kitchens. This year, the trend for kitchens is whiter than white, and for lighting, that means bright spotlights, downlights, and track lights to let that white shine, as well as pendant lights for over kitchen islands and tables.

 

 

When your space is all-white, then you need to decide whether your lighting going to be all-white too, or are you going to use your kitchen lighting to add colour, sparkle, or shine – maybe to match handles on your cabinets? Whatever type of lights you need, you’ll find what you’re looking for in our range of kitchen lighting – simply filter the range to find the perfect style.

 

Warm hues

The Pantone colour of the year has had a massive impact on interior design and fashion since it was launched in 2000. This year, Pantone chose Viva Magenta 18-1750, a shade between red and pink, with slight purple undertones – so get ready for some seriously vibrant colours in your home and beyond.

 

 

 

It wasn’t only Pantone that felt, we were ready for some warm and vibrant hues. Benjamin Moore chose Raspberry Blush 2008-30, Shutterstock chose Digital Lavender, and Dulux Wild Wonder for their colours for 2023. Between the pinks, the straw-like yellows, and the dreamy lavender, you’re going to want to incorporate bold colours into your home this year. If you’re wondering how to add lighting when you’re incorporating warmer décor in your home, then check out our blog post about Viva Magenta, where we covered which types of lighting work with deep pinks and reds.

 

 

Wavy lines and curved edges

A whole slew of designers have incorporated wavy stripes into their designs recently – which means that the rest of us are likely to follow suit in the near future! Collectively, we’ve had a difficult few years, with one thing and another, and as those tough times look set to continue, we’re looking to make our homes as comforting as possible – so hard edges, corners, and geometric shapes are out, with wavy lines and curved edges in. Designers are being inspired by the sea, with lines inspired by the waves and the movement of water on the beach – and the thought of those long days of summer by the seaside are certainly relaxing.

If you’re adding this trend to your home – whether that is with your furniture, on wallpaper, or on soft furnishings, then echo those lovely curves and waves with your lighting. The Searchlight Margot 7 light LED cascade ceiling pendant has each pendant at different heights to show off gorgeous curves, the Lucide Vivana 2 Light Flush Wall Light has arches of warm copper, and the Endon Aria LED Floor Lamp in silver leaf finish gives a perfect glowing trail of light that is ideal for living rooms.

 

 

Bold statement lighting

We were so excited when we started to read about, and see interior designers working with this trend! Rather than keeping lighting small and unobtrusive, this trend is about playing with proportions. Large statement lamps, oversized pendant lights, impressive chandeliers and outsize lamps are going to be absolutely everywhere in the year ahead. Bigger is better, even in small rooms – and you’ll need to think about not only ceiling lights, but also wall lights that could take the place of art, and eye catching lamps. Our favourites?

In Ceiling Lights – The Searchlight Greythorne Chandelier in steel grey and the Edit Bank Glass Chandelier in amber, the Edit Chloe LED Ceiling Pendant Light.

 

 

In Wall Lights – The Lucide Eklyps LED Flush Wall Light in matte gold, the Edit Liceo Wall Light in black and gold and the Lucide Sansa in black and gold.

 

Layered lighting

We’ve talked about this absolutely loads of times on the blog, and for very good reason. Designers and lighting experts have advocated for having a range of different types of lighting in the home for years, so that you can set the mood, or create the right levels of lighting for whatever you are doing at the time. This also works with the sustainability trend, because it means that you can use even smaller amounts of electricity, if you’ve already switched to LED lighting.

 

 

How do you hit this trend? It is incredibly simple. You just need a combination of lighting options in each room – with at least one from each category of ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. You’ll decide this based on which lighting will work best for your home and your needs, but here are a few examples to consider:

 

• In your kitchen, you may incorporate downlights, track lights, spot lights, pendants, under cabinet lights, and LED strips.
• Living rooms benefit from ceiling lights, wall lights, table lamps, and reading lights – and definitely consider smart lighting in your living room, so you can change colour temperatures and brightness of your lighting.
• Bedrooms can be cosy or bright, depending on the time of day with ceiling lights and wall lights, as well as touch lamps for bedside tables, and mirror lights. If you have young children, you might want to consider nightlights too.
• In bathrooms, you’re going to want ceiling or wall lights, mirror lights and shaver lights, as well as spotlights or downlights – and don’t forget, you’ll need to make sure any bathroom lights have a safety rating of at least IP44 (and higher if you have children who love splashing at bath time!) to ensure the lighting is safe for use in damp environments.

 

Of course, we’re not telling you to put extra lighting in your space for the sake of it. You’ll need to choose your layers of lighting carefully, so they don’t look out of place in the room. That might mean you choose a ceiling light, a wall light, and a lamp from the same range, for a matching look, or it might be that you choose different lights that have a certain element in common, such as the colour, or the material.

 

Our final thoughts

When you’re choosing interior décor and the trends that you want to work with in your home, make sure they’re ones you’re going to love for a long time to come. Sustainability is going to rule for a long time to come, and so interior design trends are likely to move much more slowly from now on, with slower shifts from one trend to the other. However you decorate, and whichever lighting you choose, get the most environmentally friendly, because it’ll help your bank balance too.

As you’re picking new lighting for your home, the Online Lighting Change Your Mind Guarantee offers reassurance to our customers. If you order from us and discover that you don’t love your order as much as you thought you would, you can return your order to us within 30 days of the delivery date. We hope you love your purchase though, and if you’re posting your home’s new look on your Instagram, tag us in your post so we can share the love with our followers too! We’re @online_lighting.

 

 

Taking your Christmas lights and tree down in January does tend to leave the home feeling a little bare and empty. They are so pretty that you might be wondering how you can use your fairy lights all year round, and get a bit more value from them. That’s especially likely to be the case if you’ve invested in a great set of LED fairy lights – since they cost so little to run, and many styles can be set to have different colours, and different hues of white light.

While you probably won’t be using Santa or reindeer lights year round, there are so many gorgeous ways of using Christmas lights throughout the year. In this post, we’re summing up some of the sweetest ways to use fairy lights that aren’t on a Christmas tree.

 

Why use Christmas lights all year round?

Apart from looking super pretty and adding a touch of magic to a space? LED Christmas lights cost very little to run – in some cases as little as 3p per week! With the cost of electricity rising, they can be a cost effective alternative to bigger lights – and since LEDs last for years without needing to be replaced, you can get even more value from your purchases.

Remember, if you want to use your Christmas lights outside and keep them in good working order, you’ll need to make sure they are suitable for outdoor use – even in the height of summer. Overnight showers, and even dew can cause indoor lights to stop working, which isn’t ideal for future use!

 

Use them as a lamp

This is a super pretty and inexpensive way to use your Christmas lights all year round. Simply find a glass jar, lantern, a wine bottle, or a bowl, and add your Christmas lights, and you’re done. Want to make it even simpler to get this look? Our battery operated bottle with fairy lights saves you the hassle.

 

 

Use them as a backdrop for a photo wall

This is a great way to use fairy lights in children and teenager bedrooms, and all you need is a few pins or hooks to hold the lights, little pegs or clips, and some photos to make it happen. Hosting a garden party in the summer? Use outdoor string lights and photos as a talking point. Our Edit warm white LED cluster curtain string lights is a great choice for this use.

 

 

Use them for photoshoots

Talking about photos… If you’re taking new photos, get your fairy lights out to create an ethereal, magical effect to your new snaps. Going out into the countryside to take the pictures? Grab your battery powered fairy lights, such as our much loved Edison 2M Battery Operated Warm White LED String Lights.

 

 

Take them camping

Whether you’re staying in a tiny two-man tent, or you’re glamping in a gorgeous yurt, bring your fairy lights with you to brighten up your pitch, or to light up inside your tent. Just make sure they’re outdoor ones – solar powered ones are ideal for summer! Our Suri solar multi-coloured LED festoon lights give off the perfect festival vibes.

 

 

Use them in kids bedrooms

This idea is especially great where children are in the stage that they’re scared of the dark, and you don’t want the main light on. Use fairy lights as an alternative to night lights. They’re just bright enough to chase the shadows away, without being so bright that they’ll keep children awake. Loop them along bed frames or as a canopy above them, or string them from shelves, and in play tents. Talking of tents, if they’re playing at ‘camping’, then grab your pastel fairy lights, or LED tea lights from your Christmas box and add them to their pretend campfire for even better make pretend!

 

 

Use battery powered LED candles in place of wax ones

LED candles aren’t just for Christmas! Wherever you would use a regular wax candle, you can use LED ones. They’re great because you don’t need to worry about them being knocked over and the subsequent risk of fire – so they’re perfect where pets, children, and vulnerable adults are. You can use them throughout the home, such as arranging them in clusters in fireplaces, on dining tables, and of course, they’re ideal when you decorate for Halloween. We love the  Konstsmide 178 Slim Battery Operated LED Wax Flicker Candle, the Edit Glow battery operated LED glass flame candle, and the Sirius Sille Mini Battery Operated LED Wax Flicker Candle in Silver, which also come in other sizes and a red finish.

 

 

Use them as table centrepieces

Hosting a fun dinner party? Raid your Christmas lights! As we’ve just mentioned, long tapered LED candles work just as well in candlesticks, and fairy lights can be woven around other table decorations to add brightness to the setup. We love the look of these warm white micro wire fair lights and the Sirus LED string lights for use on tables.

 

 

 

Brighten up your garden

Warm white, cool white, and pastel tones are all perfect for using in your garden year round, without feeling too Christmassy. Wind them around gazebos, around fire pits, above outdoor dining spaces, and along patios – as long as looking gorgeous, they’ll brighten up your space just enough to let you enjoy warmer evenings for longer. Look for weatherproof festoon styles for year-round gorgeousness.

 

 

Light up your parties

Atmosphere is everything when you’re throwing a party – and nothing sets atmosphere better than the right lighting. Fairy lights, LED candles, and festoons are all brilliant when you’re throwing a party, so whether it is a major celebration such as a birthday, or simply a get together for the sake of catching up, get your Christmas lights out when you’re setting up. If you’re putting them in the garden, make sure you’ve used outdoor lights – even in the height of summer – to prevent them being ruined by a random rain shower, or overnight dew.

 

 

Been inspired to use your Christmas lights through January and beyond? Tag us in your Instagram posts @online_lighting, and follow us there for more about our latest offers.

 

During the winter, we’re all spending much more time indoors, and in the darker months of the year, lighting is essential – even if we’re just home watching TV before we head out to work again the next day. Getting the right types of lighting in place means that you’ll be able to enjoy your home just that little bit more through this winter and beyond. That’s why in this post, we’re talking about the types of lighting there are to choose from, and how to choose the right lighting for your home.

 

How to choose home lighting

There’s a lot to consider when you’re choosing lighting for your home – it isn’t just a case of whether you like the light fixture or not. Don’t worry though, we’re going to talk you through it. First up is the concept of layering lighting, then we’ll be talking about the different types of lighting you can choose from, and getting the right technology so that you can light your home efficiently.

 

Layering your lighting

This sounds a bit more tricky than it actually is. Layering your lighting simply means having different types of lights for different purposes – and so that you can get the right amount of brightness for whatever you’re using a particular room for at any given moment. The three types of lighting that you need include:

 

Ambient lighting – which completely lights up the space. Typically, this would be from the ceiling light, but could also be provided by wall lights, floor lamps, and table lamps.

 

 

Task lighting  – used for specific purposes, such as reading. Usually provided by lamps that can be angled, but can also include downlights and pendants, or LED strip lights under kitchen cabinets to illuminate countertops.

 

 

Accent lighting – to highlight particular features of the room. This type of lighting can be almost any type, but is often a spot light, uplight or downlight, picture lights, strip lights, or lamps. Even fairy lights can be put into use as accent lighting in the right setting!

 

 

There is often overlap with the different types of lighting. Let’s use kitchen lighting as an example:

 

In a kitchen, you might have a bar pendant for ambient lighting, task lighting might be downlights or spotlights, while accent lighting might be LED strips placed beneath cabinets to create a glow. However, those LED strips might also act as task lighting for the countertops as well as adding to ambient light, and the downlights might also act as ambient light – you get the idea.

 

Don’t worry too much about which type of lighting a fitting belongs to though, the point is that you need more than just one type of lighting in each room in your home. You won’t always use each type, all the time – and with super-efficient LED lighting, your electricity bill won’t be too painful.

 

What types of lighting are there?

There are three main categories of lighting, based on where the light is installed and used – these are ceiling lighting, wall lighting, and lamps. Within these categories there are loads of different styles and options, so you’ll find plenty of choice.

 

Ceiling lighting

Almost always the first to be fitted, ceiling lighting is used for lighting the room completely. Don’t think that you have to stick with a single bulb with a lamp shade on it though, there are more than one option – and within each of these categories, there are so many different designs, shapes, colours and so on.

 

Depending on the size of the room and the style of lighting that you prefer, you might choose from:

 

• Pendant lighting, including rise and fall pendants and chandeliers
• Flush lights and lights for low ceilings
• Downlights
• Spotlights
• Track lights and wire lights
• LED batten lights

 

If you’re wondering what size of ceiling light to choose, then you can use the dimensions of your room in feet (don’t try this in centimetres!). Add the width of your room to the length – and then this number, in inches is the size you should be looking for. For a room that is 6 foot by 10 foot, the approximate best size for a light fitting would be 16 inches (6ft + 10ft = 16ft) – around 40cm.

 

You’ll also need to think about the height of your ceilings when you’re choosing your ceiling lighting. You don’t want to be accidentally walking into your light fixture, after all! Ensure you have at least two metres of clearance between the bottom of the light fitting and the floor, to prevent any bumped heads. Above dining tables and desks, allow for a minimum of 65cm between the table and the bottom of the light fixture.

 

We recently rounded up our favourite pendant lights in this post, but we love these options for a wintery effect:

 

The Edit Atom glass chandelier

The Searchlight Ice Cube 20 light LED cascade ceiling pendant

The Edit Bubble glass ceiling pendant light

 

 

Wall lighting

The popularity of wall lighting fluctuates, but we’re huge fans, and we think wall lighting can be a great addition to homes. There’s a surprising number of options when it comes to wall lighting, so you can get the perfect look for your home. You’ll be able to choose from:

 

• Single arm wall lights
• Double arm wall lights
• Wall uplighters, and up & down lights
• Flush wall lights
• Wall spotlights
• Picture lights
• Reading lights
• Ceramic & plaster wall lights

 

Wall lighting can add extra brightness to darker spots, but can also be used in place of other types of lighting. For example, in small bedrooms, wall lights can be used in place of bedside lamps (much like in hotel bedrooms) to make getting in and out of bed easier, and for bedtime reading.

 

When you’re choosing wall lighting, you’ll also need to consider where the fixture is going – if it is in a hallway, you’ll need to ensure that it isn’t going to cause an obstruction, so you’re more likely to be looking at flush wall lights, for example. You’ll also find wall lighting for particular uses and rooms – such as under cabinet lights, mirror lights, and shaver lights for bathrooms – in our range of wall lighting.

 

Lamps

Lamps are incredibly versatile for use throughout the home, and the great thing about them is that they take absolutely no installation – you put the bulb in, then plug in and switch on! Whether you’re looking for a desk lamp, a reading lamp, or a floor lamp to add to the general lighting levels in a room, we’ve got plenty for you to choose from.

 

• Table Lamps
• Desk Lamps
• Floor Lamps
• Lamp Shades
• Touch Lamps
• Bedside Lamps

 

We’ve seen lamps used in most types of room in the home – perhaps with the exception of the kitchen and the bathroom, where other types of lighting are more appropriate. Here are some of our favourites for a warm glow in the winter:

 

Konstsmide Large Battery Operated LED Bell Jar

Edit Kathathu Floor Lamp

Lucide Ramzi Table Lamp

 

 

Materials and colours

Through the winter months, you’re likely to be looking for ways to add warmth and texture to your home, to help it feel cosier. Choosing lighting with warmer colours such as red, copper, gold, and bronze helps to make the home feel warmer – and when the material is metallic, that will help to bounce the light around your space too. This fabulous Lucide Picto ceiling pendant light in pink and grey is perfect for eclectic spaces or bedrooms for teenagers.

 

When you’ve considered colour, you can also choose from fabrics such as velvet that can help you feel warm – a great example is the Lucide Extravaganza. In a luxurious turquoise blue, the gold details and the velvet texture invites you to touch. For a fuzzy snowball of a pendant, we love the Lucide Goosy Soft Ceiling Pendant Light, made with feathers for a soft glow.

 

 

Colour temperature and brightness

When you’re choosing lighting, you also need to consider the right colour temperature and brightness. Colour temperature is really important, since it can have a huge impact on your health, as well as being able to see clearly enough. Bright white light, and especially those with blue tones, are known to wake the body, and so you definitely don’t want that just before bed!

 

If you’re going to be using a room for different purposes, then you’re almost certainly going to be looking at lighting that you can adjust the brightness and colour temperature of. Since this is so important, look for fixtures that can be fitted with dimmer switches, or that can be fitted with smart lightbulbs, so you can adapt the lighting as you need it.

 

Smart home lighting

Smart lighting for the home is – as it sounds like – lighting that can connect to your Wi-Fi connection, and that can be controlled through an app on your phone. In our current range, you’ll find smart bulbs with both bayonet cap and screw caps, as well as GU10 bulbs, LED strip light kits, and light fixtures with smart technology built in, as well as smart outdoor lighting.

 

 

With smart lights, you can control not only whether the light is on or off (great if you get into bed and aren’t sure if everything is off, and don’t want to get up from the warm to check!) as well as changing the colour and brightness of the light. Many of our range are compatible with Alexa, Siri, and Google home controls, so if you’ve already taken those steps towards making your home a smart one, you’ll love how smart home lighting can help you manage your lighting and reduce your energy bills. Browse our full range here.

 

 

What is the cheapest way to light your home?

Energy bills are at an all-time high right now, and everything is expensive. You’re unlikely to want to spend on replacing lights unnecessarily, but in the longer term, using old, incandescent light bulbs can end up costing you a lot more. LED bulbs are the replacement for old bulbs, and they can cost up to 90% less in terms of electricity. That’s a huge saving, and they are better for the environment too – which is always good. Not only that, as you’re replacing your old bulbs, you can bring your home up to date with smart lighting, which as we’ve already mentioned, can help you to ensure your lights are only on when you need them.

 

Winter lighting accessories

During the winter, you want to feel cosy and warm in your home – and candles are a great way to enhance that feeling. However, when you’ve got children, pets, or adults that need a little extra care, there is just too much potential for mishaps with naked flames. But we’ve got the answer – battery operated LED candles. These offer a similar flicker to lit candles, but without the added worry of having naked flames around. They’re wonderful for feeling cosy, but they are also absolutely perfect for Christmas decoration too.

 

Speaking of Christmas decorations… we’ve curated a collection of the best Christmas lights for you here. Whether you’re looking for candle lights, fairy lights, lanterns, or feature lights, we’ve got a huge range for you to choose from. A few of our current favourites? The Edit 1.2M Star Warm White LED Curtain String Lights, the Edit Irawo LED Battery Operated Star, and the Set of 2 Wave LED Candle Lights. Gorgeous!

 

 

Lighting outside your home in winter

Those cold winter months mean that many of us are leaving our homes to go to work in the dark, and getting home in the dark. With that in mind, you’re going to want to make it easy to see when you’re getting in and out of your home.

 

Options for outdoor lighting in the winter

As with indoor lighting, there are so many options for lighting around the exterior of your home. With the exception of festive Christmas lights, most of us are less likely to be adding decorative lights to our gardens through the winter months. Depending on the exterior of your property, you’re likely to be looking at:

 

• Wall lights
• Lamp posts
• Pedestal lights
• Porch lights
• Deck and ground lights
• Post lamps and bollards
• Security lights (flood lights)

 

There isn’t a right or wrong answer to which lights are right for your property – browse our range of outdoor lights, and you’re sure to find the optimal lighting for around the outside of your home, including those with PIR and motion sensors, and solar powered lighting.

 

PIR & motion sensors

When you don’t need entrances to your home lit all the time, or you’re looking to make a dark area outside your home that bit more secure, then security lighting with passive infrared (PIR) or motion sensors can do the trick. These lights are triggered to switch on when they detect someone in the area, and switch off after a certain amount of time – making them perfect if you just need a bit of light to find the right key on your bunch.

 

 

Solar lighting

When you don’t want to add to your electric bill, but you still need lighting for the outside of your home and in your garden for safety reasons, then solar lighting is the way to go. Solar lighting has come a long way with the introduction of LEDs, and battery technology has developed too, which means that it is a real, viable option for lighting outside the home. Whether you’re searching for a security light, a post light to illuminate your garden path, or a decorative style, you’ll find solar powered lighting options.

 

 

Christmas lights for the garden

When it gets towards December, there’s a good chance that you’ll be looking at lighting your garden for Christmas. Colourful fairy lights in shrubs and bushes are essential to make things feel festive, and in larger trees and along walls and fences, festoons are a great option. If you’re adding them in a spot that is gets plenty of natural daylight, then you can use solar powered options, which means that you won’t add to your electricity bill. However, super-efficient LED fairy lights and festoons use very little power, and so even if you’re using mains powered ones, they won’t cost you a fortune. Make sure you choose fairy lights and festoons specifically for outdoors – look for IP44 safety ratings as a minimum, so that they are waterproof, and if you’re in a more exposed area, look for weatherproof options so your lights continue to shine bright.

 

Our final thoughts

Getting the right amount of lighting in, and outside your home for the winter is simpler once you’ve understood the needs of everyone in your home. Once you’ve chosen the right lighting for you, and you’re styling your home ready for Christmas, tag us on your Instagram posts so that we can share those posts – we love to see them, and so do our followers! We’re @online_lighting.

 

Choosing lighting for your home has to be done thoughtfully – you need the perfect combination of lights for your space, so that you can adjust the lighting levels to the right brightness, depending on what you’re doing. Pendant lighting is one of the most popular types of ceiling lighting, because there are so many designs to suit every type of room in the home. You’ll find simple, single bulb drop lights, multi-light cluster and cascade pendants, sleek LED bar pendants, bar pendants with multiple bulbs, through to large chandelier style pendants – and that’s before we’ve even thought about different colours and materials! We’ve browsed our extensive range to find the best pendant lights for all types of settings, and included a little introduction to each type, so that you’ll be inspired as you’re browsing our catalogue.

Best pendant lights for homes with industrial décor

The industrial décor trend has never really gone away, and it isn’t likely to any time soon, we think! Whether you’re a fan of a completely industrial look in your home, or you just like the odd accessory to provide a little toughness to the space, industrial style lights are perfect. Look for metallic finishes, cage designs, and black, chrome, and copper to complete the look.

The Lucide Raya  26W LED Single Pendant

The Edit Tuai 3 Light Bar Ceiling Pendant

The Edit Kahawa Ceiling Pendant 

 

 

Best pendant lights for Scandinavian style décor

Scandinavian style has been having a serious moment in home design for quite some time now – and with the simple yet stylish colour palette of whites, greys, and other neutrals, it makes sense that it is! Pendant lights work well in Scandi style rooms, and these tend to be utilitarian in style to complement the décor. Lantern styles, dark colours, and metallics all feature highly in lighting for Scandinavian homes, as well as natural woods.

The Edit Steam Ceiling Pendant

The Edit Rondure Ceiling Pendant

The Edit Arbat Ceiling Pendant (also available in black)

 

 

Best pendant lights for natural décor

Natural décor is growing in popularity, and when you’re creating a restful space, you need your lighting to complement the rest of your décor. As we wrote about in our previous post, lighting made from natural materials are starting to trend. Look for materials such as sisal, jute, and natural woods, as well as cork, bamboo, silk, and cotton.

The Edit Bonby Ceiling Pendant

The Lucide Zidane Ceiling Pendant

The Edit Majani Rattan Ceiling Pendant

 

 

Best pendant lights for glamorous décor

If your taste in home décor leans towards the more glamorous side, your lighting is one of the accessories that will make all the difference. Depending on what type of glam you prefer, you’ll be browsing for ornate chandelier styles, high shine finishes, large, dramatic fixtures, and crystals to provide the sparkle that you love.

The Lucide Arabesque 5 Light Chandelier (also available in clear)

The Lucide Pearl 6 Light Glass Ceiling Pendant

The Granso Crystal Chandelier

 

 

Best pendant lights for high ceilings

When you’ve got lovely high ceilings to play with, pendant lighting is a great way to fill the space and create visual interest. Look for pendants that have clusters of lights, cascade and chandelier styles that can really fill the area overhead. You can choose from a range of different styles, from beautiful crystal styles to more industrial styles featuring metallics.

The Searchlight Margot 7 Light LED Glass Cascade Ceiling Pendant

The Lucide Coralie 5 Light Cluster Ceiling Pendant

The Lavello 9 Arm Ceiling Pendant

 

 

Best pendant lights for large rooms

When you’ve got a large space to fill, you need bigger lighting – and most likely, wall lights as well, so there is enough brightness in each corner of the room. Starting with great ceiling lighting is a good place to start though, and there are some amazing pendant lights that won’t look out of place in larger spaces.

The Edit Flute 12 Arm Glass Chandelier

The Edit Langham Glass LED Chandelier

The Edit Antigua 6 Light Chandelier

 

 

Best pendant lights for small spaces

In small spaces, look for sleek, slimline designs that don’t take up too much space and make it feel cluttered. The type of room that you’re buying for, how many pieces of furniture are in the space, and the décor style will influence the pendant you choose. If the room is on the darker side, look for materials that will reflect the light.

The Edit Direct Single Spotlight

The Edit Mini Otos Ceiling Pendant Light

The Ruben Ceiling Pendant Light with Plug

 

 

Best pendant lights for kitchens

Pendant lights look great in kitchens, and they’re perfect above kitchen islands, which is why so many designers are using them in their work at the moment. When you’re choosing your pendant lighting for the kitchen, bear in mind that everything in the kitchen needs special attention to keep clean. With that in mind, it is a good idea to choose pendant lights made from materials such as glass and acrylic that are easy to wipe, and won’t corrode. Pendants that we love for kitchens include:

The Edit Stick 5 Light Ceiling Pendant in black and copper – perfect above kitchen tables.

The Lucide Arthur 5 Light Bar Ceiling Pendant

The Edit Tavern Glass Ceiling Pendant in chrome

 

 

Our final thoughts

Great pendant lighting isn’t just about lighting your home – it is about adding ambience, as well as complementing the look and feel of the space. Choose your pendant light based on your home décor, your personal taste, and the optimal amount of lighting for the room, as well as taking into account the needs of specific rooms, such as the kitchen or the bathroom. Browse our complete range of pendant lights, get the right bulbs that you need, and then when you’ve got your new light installed and your room styled, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram – we’re @online_lighting.