Lighting Guides

Choose a room. We'll light it with you.

36 guides, written for UK homes. Every room, answered.
6 guidesThe KitchenThe complete guide · 10 mistakes · cottage kitchens · island pendants · low ceilings · stone pendants7 guidesLiving Room2 guidesBathroom4 guidesBedroomThe guideDining3 guidesThe Garden, after darkThe whole-garden guide · lighting a path · IP ratings & PIR5 guidesHalls & StairsThe guideHome Office

The fundamentals

The knowledge under every room
Start hereThe essentials, simply explainedColourColour temperature, room by roomDownlightsPlaster-in: the seamless ceilingAccuracyCRI: why a 97 bulb beats an 80BrightnessLumens vs wattsFittingsGU10 vs E27, explainedLow ceilingsStyle without the headroomMaterialsWhy alabaster glows like nothing elseSizingWhat size ceiling light? The formulaRentingBetter light without an electricianFire safetyFire-rated downlights, simply explainedSpacingHow many downlights, how far apart?HeightHow high should wall lights be?DimmingWhy LEDs flicker on a dimmer
KitchenHow to light a kitchen: the complete guide
10 kitchen lighting mistakes
7 steps to perfect cottage kitchen lighting
Pendant lights over a kitchen islandLiving & DiningThe 3-layer living room formula
How to light a north-facing room
How to choose a picture light
Cordless table lamps explained
Pendant height over a dining tableBed & BathHow to light a bedroom for calm
Children's room lighting
Bathroom lighting zones explained
How to light a small bathroomHalls, Stairs & OfficeHallway lighting for narrow UK homes
Stairs & landing lighting
Home office lighting without eye strainGardenHow to light a garden without the glare
How to light a garden path
Outdoor IP ratings & PIR sensorsFundamentalsThe essentials, simply explained
Colour temperature by room
Bulb colour temperature: the spec
Plaster-in downlights explained
Fire-rated downlights: the UK rules
How many downlights, how far apart?
Lighting for low ceilings
CRI explained
Lumens vs watts
GU10 vs E27
What size ceiling light?
How high should wall lights be?
Why LEDs flicker on a dimmer
Lighting for renters
Alabaster & stone lighting
How to paint plaster wall lights
Travertine & stone pendants
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