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There's an idea to suit every style.
Update your home with these fabulous lighting ideas that will see you through autumn and winter.
Choose a double-arm floor lamp with adjustable shades that can be angled to suit your needs. Then you can have bright pools of light in two different areas – perfect if you're not the only one who likes to snuggle up with a good book on dark, autumn evenings.
For similar lamp, see double-headed adjustable black floor lamp, £351.50, Lighting Styles. Isla chaise sofa, from £2,440, sofa.com
If you want targeted lighting, go for a compact design with an adjustable arm and head that lets you direct the light where you want it. This version works well as a task lamp for a desk or a reading nook, but is equally useful as an accent lamp for highlighting photos, artworks or ornaments. Thanks to a tiny LED bulb it's powerful and longlasting.
Jansjo LED work lamp, £10, Ikea
For a retro-style spotlight floor lamp, this chic new design from Marks & Spencer is a great option. Its tripod base means it can be squeezed into a tight corner, while the large, reflective shade will bounce plenty of light around – a good choice for dark, north-facing rooms.
Conran Monty floor lamp, £249; Needham sofa, £849; rug, £149; cushions, from £25 each; all Marks & Spencer
For a localised pool of intense light, suspend two or three pendants together. It's a great way of highlighting pieces of furniture, but don't be tempted to hang a cluster directly above your favourite comfy chair, because the bright, overhead light would be uncomfortably strong for reading or relaxing. It's better to position your cluster at least half a metre away for a gentler glow.
Buster + Punch hooked lights, from £260 each; Duhrer side table, £179; both John Lewis
Save space on your bedside unit by fitting a low-hung pendant rather than opting for a table lamp, but use a warm white, pearlescent bulb for a relaxed ambience. This woven design allows light to filter through gently, creating delicate patterns on the walls.
Woven wooden cloche shade, £15; Paisley double duvet cover set, £12; cushions, from £5 each; all George Home
Create a cosy, inviting feel in a dark living room corner with a downward angled wall-mounted lamp that spills warm light beneath it. Loaf has a good range of traditional-style wall lamps.
Toby wall light, £65, Loaf
Introduce a focal point by choosing a quirky floor light in the style of an oversized table lamp. This elegant new design comes with an on-trend, painterly, floral shade. It looks like an expensive designer buy but is excellent value for money. The pretty lilac and purple hues could inspire a scheme for a glamorous living room or bedroom.
Floral floor lamp, £79; Luxor chair, £229; Ted Baker Arlo throw, £185; Ribbons rug, £69; orchid, £19; all Very
Group together a trio of different pendant lights to create an eyecatching feature. Choose three designs of similar scale and in harmonious colours or finishes for a cohesive feel, then hang them at varying heights for a quirky effect. Use the same coloured cable for all three pendants to tie the look together, or mix it up for a more playful result.
From left to right: Thea pendant in bronze, £105; Peeler pendant in copper, £190; Thea pendant in copper, £105; all Pooky
Define your eating space by hanging pendant lights above the dining table – this is a particularly effective idea in open-plan rooms. Adjustable pendants can be raised or lowered as needed and provide a focused, warm glow for cosy family mealtimes. They work well in conjunction with everyday ambient lighting, such as ceiling downlights.
Gabriella pendant lights, £80 each; Gilmore dining table, £875; Gilmore bench, £429; Pebble dinnerware, from £6; serving bowl, £30; mugs, from £6 each; hammered tumbler, £8; bubble glass jug, £25; slate placemats, £22 for two; Berau large grey vase, £55; Marble bulb vase, £28; Herringbone throw, £85; cushion, £35; all Gray & Willow collection, House of Fraser
Designer lighting can be pricey, so if you fall for an expensive style, shop around for great-value high street alternatives. This smart wood-effect pendant has a high-end look but is a snip at just less than £30.
Laurel pendant, £29.99; Elements casual cotton duvet cover in grey, £24.99; Elements pillowcases, from £6.99 each; Riley double duvet set, £16.99; all Dunelm
For a more unusual look, scour secondhand shops and salvage yards. Vintage industrial lighting is built to last, good-looking and highly practical, and most old lights can be rewired by an electrician for a small fee. This restored, polished aluminium 1950s light came from a factory in former Czechoslovakia.
Eastern Bloc machinist's light, £456, Skinflint Design
Choose a table lamp with a transparent glass base that reveals the wire within for a subtle utilitarian look. This model has a simple dove grey shade and a beautiful, curved silhouette and will blend effortlessly in to any interior, whether contemporary or traditional.
Cranley lamp, £120; side table, £300; candle, from £20; frame, from £25; all The White Company
From: House Beautiful magazine
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