Lighting — Ceiling Lights, Wall Lights, Lamps & Shades
Read moreA room lit by one ceiling light always looks flat. The rooms that feel right use several lights at different heights, each doing a different job, so the space can be bright for cooking or cleaning and soft for an evening on the sofa.
Shop ceiling lights, wall lights, lamps, lamp shades and light bulbs, or by room: living room, bedroom and bathroom lights.
How to layer lighting in a room
Ambient light: ceiling lights
The ceiling light gives the room its general light. A pendant or chandelier makes a feature of it; with a low ceiling, a flush or semi-flush fitting keeps the light out of the way. Spotlights light a kitchen or hallway evenly and can be angled where you need them.
Task light: reading, cooking and working
A stronger light exactly where you need it: a floor lamp by the reading chair, a desk lamp, a bedside lamp or a pendant over the kitchen island.
Accent light: wall lights and lamps
Wall lights and table lamps add pools of warm light at eye level and pick out a picture, an alcove or a fireplace.
Lighting by room
Living room lights
Aim for at least three light sources: a ceiling light, a pair of wall lights or lamps, and a floor lamp beside the sofa. In the evening, the lamps alone are often all the light you need.
Dining room lighting
Over a dining table a pendant can hang low, because nobody walks under it. Aim for the bottom of the shade about 75–85cm above the table top, or use a row of pendants over a long table.
Bathroom lights and IP ratings
Bathrooms are divided into zones around the bath, shower and basin, and lights in each zone need a suitable IP rating; the second number shows how well the fitting is protected against water. Check the rating on the product page and have a qualified electrician confirm it suits where it will go.
Hallway ceiling lights
A hallway needs an even, welcoming light: a flush fitting or a pendant that clears the door and the stairs.
Choosing light bulbs
Check the cap the fitting takes: E27 is the large screw cap, E14 the small screw cap and B22 the bayonet. Brightness is measured in lumens; around 2700K gives a warm white and around 4000K a cooler white. Never exceed the maximum wattage stated for the fitting.
Part of the range is on show at our Enniskillen showroom. The online range is wider, so ring before you travel if there's a particular piece you'd like to see.
Lighting FAQs
How high should a light hang over a dining table?
About 75–85cm from the table top to the bottom of the shade: low enough to light the table, high enough to see the person opposite.
What IP rating do bathroom lights need?
It depends on the zone the light sits in. Check the rating on the product and ask a qualified electrician to confirm it for your bathroom.
How many lights does a living room need?
As a rule of thumb, at least three sources at different heights: a ceiling light, wall lights or table lamps, and a floor lamp.