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The way we light our outdoor spaces not only influences the way we use them, but also the way we see them. With the right outdoor lighting, an otherwise darkened house can become welcoming. A sinister sideway can become a useful space. A foreboding nocturnal garden can become friendly, as a light is shone on all those noises in the dark. And a well-chosen patio light can guide us home.

Light fittings are pretty much standardised these days. Since 1998, all new-build houses have had to be constructed with earthed lighting circuits. And the same applies to any homes that have been rewired in the last 25 years. So, most lights produced today are designed to work with earthed circuitry. But what if you live in an older property? What if your wiring is 30 or 40 years old? Or older still? Well, that’s where double insulated lights come in.

Touch lamps have become hugely popular in recent years. And for good reason. They’re convenient. Easy to use. And they look great. But most of us still only use them in the bedroom. Mainly because the gentle graduated light is kinder to tired eyes. And waving your hand at a light is easier than searching for a button when you first wake up! But touch lamps have a full range of uses. And if you choose wisely, you can find the perfect touch lamp for almost every part of your home. 

Lighting can make or break an outdoor space. It directly impacts how outdoor areas are used. Making gardens friendlier and safer – especially in winter, when there’s so much night to be had. Well-chosen lights can turn even the smallest courtyard into a sociable space. It can highlight landscaping or planting features. Enhance security. And just make your garden a nicer place to be. But if you live by the coast – as around 5.3 million people in England and Wales and around 41% of the population of Scotland do – outdoor lighting can be a problem.

Plinth lighting has been a decking staple for years. It provides an unobtrusive but highly effective means to bring light and life you your outdoor areas. Nestling into the skirt of your deck, it’s barely even seen until it’s turned on. And then, wow! The whole area is tastefully illuminated. But what many people don’t realise is that plinth lighting isn’t only suitable for use outdoors. In fact, an increasing number of people are now using it in their kitchens and bathrooms. So, what do you need to know?

Kitchen islands remain a highly desirable property feature. They’re convenient and welcoming. And they can be hugely versatile, suited to a whole range of uses. But lighting them can be a problem. If you make the wrong kitchen island lighting choice, you may not get the most from the space. It might be too dark to use for tasks. Or too bright to sit comfortably over a lazy weekend breakfast. So, what do you need to consider when selecting lights for your kitchen island?

Home lighting is a very personal choice. Get the wrong thing, and it will colour the way you feel about a room. Niggling every time you see it. The problem is, there are so many different styles of lights to choose from. And amidst all the glittering designs, plaster wall lights are easily overlooked. This is why we think they are worth your consideration.

Crystal has always had a place in lighting. Beautifully refracting the light source, it lends a warmth and elegance to any interior. But for years, crystal lights were consigned to the large and stately home. Considered too imposing and ostentatious for the average house or flat. In 2023 however, crystal is back in a very big way. And there are styles to suit all types of room, decorative styles, and budgets.

Lighting can play such an integral role in our homes. It changes the way each and every room looks and feels. From the austere to the indulgent. The professional to the casual. And there are so many styles to choose from. But there’s one lighting form that often gets overlooked. It’s side-lined by the stylists for being all too commonplace. Lacking panache and flair. But the thing is, they’re also the lights used most commonly throughout the UK. We are, of course, talking about easy-fit lights.

Spring is in the air. There is blossom on the trees and sunshine between the howling gales and downpours. And that can mean only one thing: the hardiest among us are beginning to think about getting back into the garden. And that is a wonderful thing. But whether you’re a grower, an entertainer, or a chilling out-er, you can only make the most of your garden space, if you have the right lighting to bring it to life at night. Luckily, Konstsmide have the perfect outdoor lighting solutions for every garden.

With the days finally getting longer and the first signs of spring appearing, many of us will be turning our thoughts to the garden. Spending time outdoors is one of the easiest ways that we can all help ourselves to feel better. Whether walking, gardening, or simply sitting and enjoying the sounds of nature. But for most of us, enjoyment of our garden fades with the light. With Lutec Lighting, you can make the most of your outdoor space at any time of the day – or night.

Wall lights have long been loved for both their practicality and their aesthetic. They are an amazing way to enhance the ambience of a room. Or to illuminate dark corners, narrow spaces, or special features. And while table or floor lamps can do some of that, they can’t help but take up space. With wall lights, you have no footprint to speak of, so they work practically anywhere… Anywhere, that is, that you have the relevant wiring.

Lighting plays such an integral role in our homes. Not just bringing practical benefits, but aesthetic and ambient advantages too. The lighting you choose can make a real difference to the way that your home looks and feels. Especially when it comes to lighting extras, such as floor lamps and table lamps. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Nordlux to talk you through what we predict will be the leading lights in 2023 home styling.

Bathroom lighting can be difficult to get right. It needs to be practical and appealing. But most importantly of all, it needs to be safe and fit for purpose. So, what do you need to consider when choosing new lighting for your bathroom?

Chandeliers are one of the most sophisticated and elegant lighting forms. They are sculptural and beautiful. And they can add a huge amount to a room. Especially during the festive season. But… there’s no getting away from the fact they can also be expensive. With their dripping crystals and gilt and complex design, chandeliers can cost thousands. The thing is though, they don’t have to. And what many people don’t realise is that you can find a beautiful chandelier to fit almost any budget.