Light and Shade

When it comes to lighting, do you think pendants, lamps and cute strings? Or is it up-lighting, spots and tasks? Lighting can be both functional and beautiful in the heart of the home, as our brand ambassador Patrick Bradley recently shared with House and Home Magazine.

1. Map out zones such as task lighting above the worktops for cooking, or softer pendant lighting over an island, then ceiling spots to brighten up homework time. Zoning will make all the difference in smaller, dark kitchens.
2. Look inward when lighting up a dark kitchen and think about strips inside the cabinets. If you’ve gone for a dark colour, this will not just add brightness but the illusion of space too.
3. Choose a finish that will bounce all light across the kitchen, a little trick for smaller spaces that may not get much natural light.
4. Complement the natural light coming into the kitchen; if it is north facing work with your architect or designer in the first instance to ensure that as much natural light enters the space as possible, then identify other dark spots and light them up accordingly.
5. Take the plunge and spend a little more on LED bulbs. They are much more sustainable, and you won’t regret it in the long run.