Making light work of it

AT this time of year, when we start leaving and returning home in the dark, it's easy to feel like a mole, never seeing daylight - especially after the clocks going back on Sunday.

That's why it's so important to get the lighting scheme right in your home, so you create a cheering, bright atmosphere no matter what the natural light levels.

The rewards of a successful lighting scheme are high. Not only does good lighting lift our mood, but it also makes bland rooms look exciting. Lighting can disguise unsightly features and even alter the dimensions of a space.

Lucy Martin, design director of John Cullen Lighting, is crystal clear about what good lighting can achieve.

"Good lighting shouldn't look as though it's trying too hard - it should be discreet, subtle and totally effective in making a room look stylish and appealing.

"You don't want people to walk in and say, `Great lighting'. Rather, you want them to say, `Wow, great room'. Successful lighting should enhance the space, not dominate it."

People are becoming increasingly inspired by lighting effects seen in restaurants, hotels and clubs, and want to try to replicate them at home, Martin says.

"People are more confident and imaginative about using lighting.

"They'll opt for hidden light sources, lights that glow, fibre optics or, perhaps, lighting a feature in a room, like a painting or alcove."

Whatever your choice for lights - note the plural as you should never have only one light source - there's nothing nicer than sitting in a well-lit, welcoming space, where the light flatters the occupants and the room.

We've turned the spotlight on some of the best lights around - so don't be left in the dark, get switched on this winter.

Lighting tips

SHINE, sheen and metallics are key elements this season, and ceiling pendant lights are back in fashion. In a living room, use a combination of general overhead or wall lighting supplemented by portable light sources such as table, floor or task lamps, or even well-positioned ceiling spotlights.

To create a relaxed mood, consider accent lighting hidden behind cornices, bookshelves and glassware displays. Alternatively, try highlighting pictures and paintings with a picture light.

Always fit dimmers so that you can change the mood of a room. Ideally, have each type of lighting on a different circuit so that it can be controlled, ie: table lamps on one, downlighters on another.

Eye-catching lamps

BEAUTIFUL table lamps are like jewellery in a room and should be chosen carefully so their style and size complements your home and scheme.

There's no need to splash the cash, with supermarkets like Asda, Sainsbury and Tesco offering great lamps at cheap-as-chips prices.

Designers such as John Rocha, Julien Macdonald and Jasper Conran have ranges at Debenhams.

BEST BUY: Jasper Conran's J Home range glass rod table lamp, £45, and matching pendant shade, £35.

Bhs has long led the way on design-standard lights at budget prices, and now has a lighting collection by leading designer, Kelly Hoppen.

BEST BUY: A chrome and charm table lamp, £50, from Kelly Hoppen's Classic collection, has a shade trimmed with tiny charms.

You can afford new lights for every room if you choose from B&Q's range, which includes the Elba lamp, £19.97, and Pelota Glass Sphere, £14.97.

BEST BUY: Benson Acrylic Stack lamp, £39.97.

Pendant Lights & Chandeliers

BOLD, beautiful chandeliers, which are like sculptural works of art, are established as lighting stars, while pendant lights are enjoying a revival. Laura Ashley's excellent selection starts from around £75.

BEST BUY: Chella five-arm chandelier with glass drops, £90.

Cover ugly bulbs with a Beaded bulb cover, £10.

New Scandinavian homestore ILVA has the trends sorted with its competitively-priced lighting.

BEST BUY: Alisha six-arm chandelier, in ultra-chic black, £180.

B&Q has traditional or contemporary pendants and chandeliers.

BEST BUY: Modern beaded random wire bowed pendant shade, £14.97 and a white snowball lampshade, £17.97.

Marks & Spencer's lighting sparkles with style.

BEST BUY: Capiz shell pendant shade, £29.50 and Tangled metal and crystal modern chandelier, £99.

Floor Lamps

THESE are excellent for task lighting as well as highlighting a corner of a room.

Barker & Stonehouse's lighting collection has the best of modern or traditional styles.

BEST BUY: Eli small floor lamp, £189.

Linda Barker's lights range from the pretty and feminine, such as an Ostrich feather-trimmed Frou Frou lamp, £39.95, and chandeliers from around £50.

BEST BUY: Classic chrome floor lamp, £145.

Marks & Spencer has both traditional and modern options.

BEST BUY: Its Tangled collection in a satin finish with sparkling crystals and tiny bulbs. The floor lamp is £99 - there's also a matching table lamp and chandelier.

Innovative lights

NEW technology and clever designers are ensuring that lighting needn't be boring.

Greenapple specialises in glass furniture and homeware, and its glass side table has a lamp set within its base, £258.50.

Alternatively, choose a hand-painted glass fibre sphere deco lamp, £98, from ILVA.

Make a stunning statement with John Lewis' Jupiter light, £500. This modern take on a chandelier has glass droplets falling like rain from a lit plate.

Listed here are contact numbers for retailers, or select the links below for more information.

Asda: 0500 100 055

B&Q: 0845 850 0175

Barker & Stonehouse: 01642 230 988

Really Linda Barker: 0870 242 0651

Bhs: 0845 196 0000

John Cullen Lighting: Offers a one-room lighting design service, which costs around £100. 020 7371 5400

Debenhams: 08445 61 6161

Greenapple: 01727 872 525

ILVA: 0845 245 8285

John Lewis: 08456 049049

Laura Ashley: 0871 230 2301

Marks & Spencer: 0845 603 1603

Links to other web sites

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