Lighting Guide

Light up your home, the easy way

Good lighting is the quickest way to change how a room feels. This guide covers the basics: choosing bulbs, picking the right warmth of white, and layering light room by room.

1. Layer your light

  • Ambient light is your main, overall light, usually a pendant or ceiling light.
  • Task light is focused light for reading, cooking or working, such as a desk or floor lamp.
  • Accent light adds atmosphere: table lamps, LED strips, candles and outdoor lights.

Most rooms look best with at least three light sources at different heights rather than one bright overhead light.

2. Choose the right warmth (colour temperature)

Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). The lower the number, the warmer and more golden the light.

  • 2200K–2700K (extra warm to warm white): cosy and relaxing. Ideal for living rooms and bedrooms.
  • 3000K (soft warm white): a little crisper. Good for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.
  • 4000K (cool white): bright and clear. Best for garages, utility rooms and detailed task work.

3. Brightness: look at lumens, not watts

LED bulbs use far less power than old bulbs, so check lumens (lm) for brightness. As a rough guide, about 400lm matches an old 40W bulb, 800lm a 60W bulb and 1,500lm a 100W bulb.

4. Check the fitting

In the UK the most common fittings are bayonet (B22) and screw (E27, plus the smaller E14). GU10 is common for spotlights. Always check the maximum wattage on your lamp or fitting, and use a dimmable bulb if you have a dimmer switch.

Room by room

  • Living room: a warm ceiling light on a dimmer, plus a floor lamp beside the sofa and a table lamp or two at seated height.
  • Bedroom: warm 2700K bedside lamps for reading, and soft accent light rather than a bright overhead light at night.
  • Kitchen: brighter 3000K light over worktops and a pendant over the table or island.
  • Hallway: a statement pendant or a pair of wall lights to make a warm welcome.
  • Garden: solar lights along paths and festoon or string lights over seating areas.

A note on safety

Hard-wired ceiling and wall lights should be fitted by a qualified electrician. Plug-in lamps can be used straight away.

Shop all lighting or ask us if you would like help choosing.