Light the way Illuminate your

Light the way

Make your home shine with an illumination scheme that combines ambient, task and accent lighting

From downlights and strip lighting to pendants and lamps, the wealth of choice can seem overwhelming when deciding on the right light sources for your rooms. “Too often people over- or under-compensate on the level of light needed in a space,” says Duane Shore, marketing manager at Signify. To avoid extravagant pendants crowding a small living area, or a dining room that lacks appeal, design a well-planned lighting layout that incorporates the right amounts of ambient, task and accent options. 

Group pendants together over a dining area for perfect ambient lighting and a striking room feature that draws the eye up

In the kitchen, tick off function and form by combining downlights on a dimmer with pendants above an island or table

Brilliant ‘Harbour’ DIY plug in pendant in Rattan, $165, I/N: 0089054

All types of light Ambient or general lighting provides overall illumination in a space. Aim for a combination of pendant, wall, table or floor fixtures – a room with purely ambient lighting will often take on a dull, flat effect, particularly when it comes from just one source. Task lighting is a bright light that’s positioned to focus on an area of activity, such as cooking or reading. In living areas and bedrooms, table or floor lamps usually do the trick; in the kitchen, popular task lighting includes recessed downlighting, under-cabinet strip lighting and pendants. Accent or mood lighting brings attention to a specific feature, like a mantelpiece, bookshelf, artwork or kitchen benchtop. It also adds texture, focus and shape to your general lighting scheme. You can use a mix of spotlights, downlights, uplights, tracks and table lamps, or a standalone lamp directed at the feature.

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Choose your light source Once you’ve settled on a scheme for each room, the fun part begins: choosing your lights

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Downlights come as either fixed (recessed in ceiling), gimbal (light can be moved) or surface-mounted (screwed into ceiling). “To avoid generic light in each room, choose downlights on a dimmer that lets you control lights individually as well as in a group,” says Duane Shore. “Many now come with switchable colour temperature outputs that let you switch between warm white (good for relaxing), daylight (good for working) and cool white (for a cool ambience).” If using downlights for task lighting, opt for a gimbal downlight with a narrow beam for precise focus. “Run this light on a separate switch or dimmer for ultimate flexibility,” says Duane. 1 DETA ‘X8’ 10W dimmable LED downlight in Warm White, $29.98, I/N: 0097811. 2 Lutec ‘Dore’ 12W LED IP54 tri colour downlight in Black, $28.90, I/N: 0094416. 3 Deta ‘X8’ 110mm square twist downlight frame in White, $4.90/pack of 2, I/N: 0097818. 4 Lutec ‘Sura’ 10W LED IP54 downlight in Warm White, $49, I/N: 0094423.

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Pendants can pull double duty as both a decorative feature and task lighting. “They’re great in bathrooms, in bedrooms as bedside lamps for reading, and suspended over dining tables or kitchen benches,” says interior designer Emma Blomfield (emmablomfield.com). “For a dramatic effect in the dining room, go as large and low as you can without blocking the view of your companions. A selection set at different heights can look amazing in a stairwell.” 1 Verve Design ‘Tia’ wooden pendant, $179, I/N: 0067532. 2 Philips Hue ‘Muscari’ smart pendant in White, $419, I/N: 0037707. 3 Brilliant ‘Rubix’ 6 light cluster in Matt Black, $125, I/N: 4380345.

Note Leave all hardwiring to a licensed professional

Verve Design ‘Mateo’ floor lamp in Black, $59, I/N: 0035096. Mimosa ‘Butterfly’ wicker chair with cushion, $129, I/N: 0098280. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered

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Wall lamps and sconces provide a gentle wash of illumination rather than a focused pool or overhead glare. “Wall lamps and sconces are typically much more flattering on our complexion than overhead lighting, which can highlight dark circles and make us look tired,” says Emma. “This makes them ideal picks for bathrooms and hallway mirrors.” They’re also good for illuminating hallways and can help add character to a room. 1 Verve Design interior wall light with Grid Connect smart globe, $59.98, I/N: 0119809. 2 Brilliant ‘Drummond’ wall light in Antique Brass, $59, I/N: 0022452. 3 Verve Design ‘Colton’ LED wall light, $93, I/N: 0079293.

PRO TIP

“If you really want to make a statement, choose a smart-enabled colour LED light strip so you can change the colour to suit the ambience of the room” Duane Shore Signify

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Floor and table lamps are versatile (use them for task, ambient or accent lighting) and moveable; switch them around to change the look of your room or reposition them when moving furniture around. Plus, adding new floor or table lamps is a relatively inexpensive style update. “Try a table lamp in a hallway to create a welcoming glow or pair a floor lamp with a comfy chair to define a reading corner,” says Emma. 1 Mercator ‘Walnut’ table lamp in Timber, $109, I/N: 0126619. 2 Verve Design ‘Zavier’ table lamp, in Black, $22.98, I/N: 4371462. 3 Verve Design ‘Madison’ floor lamp, $75, I/N: 0035095.

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Strip lights can be used as accent or task lighting, depending on where they are installed. “In the kitchen, use strip lighting underneath cabinets to illuminate the benchtop or inside cupboards to make it easier to see,” says Duane. “Running strip lighting along skirting boards is a clever way to mark safe passageways along stairs and hallways.” For an instant mood-lifter, run strip lights behind TVs, underneath and behind couches or around shelving.  1 Arlec smart LED strip light with Grid Connect, $48/2m, I/N: 0099707. 2 Lytworx RGB voice controlled wi-fi smart neon flex in $89, I/N: 0082224. 3 Philips Hue strip light extension in White And Colour Ambiance, $47.90/1m, I/N: 0326163.

Bring your scheme to life In the kitchen: The kitchen requires a few elements. “Install downlights throughout, then strip lighting under cabinetry or kickboards,” says Stephanie Atanasovski, lead interior designer at Porter Davis. “A large pendant light above your dining table will finish the space off nicely.” Bedroom: “Dimmable downlights are the way to go, with table lamps on either side of the bed or wall lights for the evenings,” says Stephanie. “Depending on the size of your bedroom, you may want to incorporate a floor lamp in the corner.” Living room: Continue with downlights like the kitchen, then combine with table and floor lamps for ambience at night. “If the living room is a formal space, consider a medium-sized pendant light above the coffee table,” says Stephanie. Bathroom: Combine downlights with task lighting above the vanity. Avoid recessed ceiling fixtures above the mirror – these will cast shadows on the face – and opt for vertical fixtures or sconces mounted either side of the mirror for a flattering glow. It’s important to remember that there are regulations on the position of pendants and light fittings in bathrooms and where there are water outlets.

Strip lights placed below overhead kitchen wall cabinets create a warm glow and illuminate preparation and cooking spaces

Verve Design ‘Tori’ DIY wall light in Black, $139, I/N: 0079290

Get smart Imagine being able to turn on your lights from the comfort of your couch at home – or even from the office. That’s the beauty of smart lighting, which lets you control your lights via the internet using apps and voice activation. “Most of the smart products on the market are plug-and-play, meaning you can DIY,” says Megan Smith, spokesperson for Amazon Alexa. To get started, simply swap out any of your existing CFL or LED bulbs with Philips Hue, Arlec or other models.

Once you’ve chosen your smart lighting, decide whether you want to control your lights individually via wi-fi or connect everything to a smart home hub, like Google Home or Amazon Echo Dot. “Once you’re all set up, you can ask your hub to turn the lights on or off, adjust the brightness level, or even change the colour if it’s supported by the smart hub,” says Megan. “You can also set time-based routines that control the lights while you’re away, turning them on and off at set times to make your home look lived-in.” ¿

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1 Arlec ‘Up And Down’ smart LED wall light with Grid Connect, $84.99, I/N: 0119823. 2 Philips Hue 9.5W ES LED bulb in White, $28.90, I/N: 0311614. 3 Philips Hue ‘Muscari’ ceiling light, $398, I/N: 0045577. 4 Philips ‘Adore’ 24V vanity wall lamp in Chrome, $278, I/N 0101730. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Task lighting is a great way to highlight art and brighten a reading nook

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