Lighting Strategic lighting can work magic. Start with ceiling and wall lights, then add spotlights, floor lamps, pendant lighting and perhaps a chandelier? Everything you need is here Share Tweet Help Facebook Tweet Help Lighting Colour temperature in your kitchen Address the colour temperature of your kitchen lighting fixtures – warmer temperatures create a cosy ambience, while cooler temperatures provide a brighter feel Island lights Whether to optimise task lighting, facilitate breakfast enjoyment or to simply create a stand-out feature, here are some kitchen island lighting scenarios to inspire Cinema vibe The lights lower, the screen flickers up – but, wait, this is all at home – concealed lighting really sets the scene in this atmospheric media room Tall order What kind of light would suite a penthouse in a tall, big city skyscraper? This urban eyrie benefits from a tall, airy parchment pendant Light fantastic Clear, contemporary and a dream to behold – the pendant lighting here is a metaphor for this home's wider view-oriented interior In a modern light This interior reflects a contemporary take on a lakeside lodge – while the board ceiling seems more classic, the lighting is decidedly modern Features & highlights Okay, your bathroom boasts soaring ceilings and classic detailing – how to make the most? Here, elegant lighting draws the eye upwards Low input, impressive output For this dramatic bathroom, a dazzling starburst chandelier was converted to low voltage to meet local building code for use over the tub A light at the top of the stairs Placement and good taste are key – this eye-catching pendant looks all the more spectacular when you're climbing the stairs to meet it Transparent agenda An elegant glass pendant – by Monmouth Glass Studio – is a fitting inclusion to this light-filled, 'transparent-in-the-right-places' home Raining indoors? These sculptural cloud-like pendants provide a talking point for guests who don't mind chatting about the encroaching weather Showered in light A large composite marble stone bath benefits from a sparkling chandelier above – even more surprising, this is in the master bedroom Industrial strength Industrial look pendants look the part in this industrial vibe kitchen – there's even an industrial look ladder if a light bulb needs changing Dedicated to the arts Up lights, sconces, dripping chandeliers, there are many luminaire options – in this art-dedicated room it's all about spot lighting what matters Safety first Replete with plantings, this sloping pool/garden space benefits from tiny step lights, ensuring you only take the plunge when you want to Sparkling presence In an interior full of surprises, a pink chandelier offers an intricate lighting feature – the designer's adage: don't be afraid to be different Softly, softly Rounded pendants connect with rounded dining table and chairs in this light-filled kitchen, dining, living extension Flyaway flair This dining area pendant has a feathery lighter-than-air feel – contributing to the largely white and wood room's ambience Is your garden wasted at night? All that love and attention on your landscaping, then the sun goes down – here, strategic lighting turns horticultural night into day Oh, when you said shiny rock, I thought... No, not diamonds as big as the Ritz – this artistic interior includes some spectacular lighting moments, these floating rock-like pendants among them Bath bomb with a difference Besides the space-saving decision to have the wash basin in front of the villa window, this bathroom features a Sugar Bomb pendant Fine dining This dining room has custom-designed furnishings by the architect anchored by a beautiful Italian marble table and a magnificent chandelier from Barlas Baylar Light conversation These soft-look pendants would throw a conducive light on any dining table conversation – plus, they are sympathetic to the 1940s character home 6 tips to consider for your kitchen lighting Whether it's a new kitchen, a renovation, or even just a modest-outlay changeup, lighting is an integral part of your kitchen design – here's what to consider Light impact Sleek shutters control natural light while LED lights turns a corner overhead in this shower stall – then there's the illuminated soap niche Pared back and minimalist (not so much) For this lavish interior, the designer introduced bespoke crystal Murano chandeliers and French style carved marble fireplaces (among other things) Light my way Twenty custom cylinder lights above the island and task lighting within the wall units have the task lighting covered for this kitchen Feature lighting Strips of LED lights draw attention to one of several features in this kitchen, the chunky rich grained oak veneer display shelving Soft hearted This Brutalist home is warmed up in visual terms by a tulle-like stainless steel mesh pendant which adds softness & femininity to the street view Aisle lighting from on high A cove ceiling with concealed lighting features in this media room – ticking the twin boxes of decoration and low-impact way finding No excuse for using the wrong knife ConeHome pendants, by Laal, provide dining task lighting for this al fresco setting while natural light leaks on from all sides, skylight included Waiter there's a petal in my soup Designer pendants with the look of floating petals hovering over the dining table adding to the overall wow-factor in this kitchen/dining space Light from afar The contemporary new ground floor kitchen in this high-end, designed-from-afar renovation includes eye-catching, flaming torch-like pendants Warm and natural Warm white spot and strip lighting provide illumination for this seaside kitchen, along with natural task lighting from skylights over the perimeter benchtops Light drama Twenty custom-made cylinder lights above the 'floating' island contribute to the wider task lighting in this highly contemporary kitchen Different but on the same wavelength With dome shaped glass pendants over the island and a halo-like pendant over the dining table, this space really has its lighting going on – the styles connect through a chic, modern sensibility High light Already flooded with natural light courtesy of skylights, this bathroom's functional specified strip lighting highlights the texture of the feature tiles Look up The ornate chandelier is a fitting inclusion in this soaring entertainment/dining/kitchen space – adding bling and drawing attention to the high ceiling Natural lighting? A leaf-like David Trubridge light provides a floating centrepiece to this two-level open-plan interior, while conforming to the earthy colour palette Light savers This interior design creates the sense of a wider space with a neutral colour palette and use of indirect light – translucent pendants included Lighting the way A renovation marries sympathetic new architecture to a Modernist home – in the dining area helped by a period-look pendant Drama is served For this entertainer's kitchen, concealed lighting on the island gives it added presence and doubles as a convenient night light Blue moons Reflective blue globe pendants catch the eye, even from the kitchen – toning with the dining chair covers and the blue sky beyond the windows Leading light A Murano glass chandelier above the dining table was the inspiration for the design palette in this home where every view captures either nature or art Light fantastic Lighting pendants with a light look themselves contribute to this stylish kitchen that stands out without competing with the scenic outlooks Close to home The choice of locally sourced Volker Haug wall lights for this artistic powder room answered an important criteria for the homeowners – to support local Australian designers Tall story For this kitchen, designer pendants over the dining table add another contemporary accent and also draw attention to the height of the room Reflecting on style A sculptural table bowl and eye-catching bold blue reflective pendants are in keeping with the shapely nature of this expansive white kitchen Soft touch For this bathroom, mirror backlighting provides quality task lighting and includes dimmers, for a soft relaxing feel and double use as a night light No gender bias here This kids' rumpus room complete with fun lighting is adjacent to the family room – so everyone's close, without toy chaos impacting the adult spaces Evoking the past This stunning pendant – Endless from Roll & Hill – combines a sculptural air with a sense of harking back – perfect for this new period kitchen in a Victorian home Strong, simple forms complement outlook Hand-blown glass pendants by Monmouth Glass Studio were the finishing touch for this bathroom which celebrates the bold not the bling Embellished history For this refurbishment of a Georgian-style residence, custom lights and chandeliers at strategic points help build on the sense of a rich history An escaped net buoy? A glass Vistosi Bolle pendant, from Alti Lighting, sets off this bathtub lookout niche, part of a generous master suite beside the sea If you've got it, highlight it If you have a feature like an open staircase, draw attention to it – here, mesh pendants make for a safe assent while accentuating this airy part of the home In the frame This custom walnut pendant echoes the walnut-framed island below it in both materiality and form, and helps define the kitchen within the large void Light menu Several sculptural lighting pendants are served up in this apartment transformation – none more striking than the one over the starburst dining table Atmosphere changer The user-friendly lighting in this bathroom functions on two switches – one summoning a relaxing warm glow, the other brighter task lighting Line of interest Here, an LED strip ceiling light runs from the pantry out into the kitchen and down the wall of the living area – providing task lighting and visual interest Light my way This apartment has undergone a radical transformation – dramatic lighting choices include the Affinity Modular pendant over the dining table Maximised views, pared back lighting If you can take your eyes off the view, check out the minimalist and elegant Inlite black pendant kitchen lighting solution for this lakeside home Urbane Floating Orbs Transparent orb pendants add a lighter touch to this cave-like interior which in turn balances the hillside home's colourful coastal outlooks Fade pendants lift this design in two ways Three Fade pendants match the scale of the 4.6m long island in this design, while their gold tones complement the use of stainless steel Subtle lighting enhances luxury harbourside apartment In this harbourside apartment makeover, immovable pillars are clad in a rich-toned veneer. These elements are underlit to give them lightness and also act as nightlights Indoor fireworks The right lighting can have a powerful impact on your interior design. The sculptural, star-burst lighting pendants in this living space, part of an upmarket lakeside home, were sourced by the owners overseas Lighter than air A contemporary chandelier comprised of floating 'bubbles' draws the eye up in this dramatic double-height entranceway to an upmarket home How to light your bathroom right Increasingly, the bathroom is the most considered room in the home and getting the lighting just right is part of this. Here we offer some tips to ensure your bathroom – and you – are seen in the best possible light Touching the scenery With the original home stripped back and three new wings added, this renovation optimises natural light and spaciousness while opening up to the beautiful verdant bush surrounds Light filled interior draws the outside in Mid-Century Modern gets a new twist in this suburban home. The exterior boasts a strong composition while the interior features light-filled volumes An eco-friendly home in more ways than one One highlight of this renovation was transforming the many small rooms into larger, light-filled spaces. Plus, as well as having a tree at its heart, the home is a zero-energy building Coach house renovation makes the most of good bones This home's coach house origins are retained mainly in the form of ruby brick courtyards. The reinvented interiors are a mix of 1960s-meets-contemporary elements. The outcome is a charming home that successfully blends old and new These expert tips will help you create your own outdoor room Stylist Justine Wilson provides some useful tips to transform your backyard into an outdoor room Modern addition to traditional California bungalow Contemporary extension to traditional Californian bungalow in major renovation project provides large open-plan family living area, lap pool This family apartment got a colourful makeover After living in their apartment for over a decade, this family of four decided it was time to renovate. The result is a practical home that uses colour to create separate yet connected spaces Open hearted This kitchen/entertainment space is already generous – but wait, there's more. Large sliding glass panel doors will turn your indoor and outdoor areas into one large open flowing space An elegant turn for the better A sculptural stair is just one strong, dextrous move in this refined transformation. To update an existing home in Forest Hill, Toronto, Reigo & Bauer executed a total renovation and interior design that unifies formerly disparate areas, modernising them functionally and aesthetically Our most popular interiors story of 2020 This was our top interiors story of 2020. Read the full story to see why it was a hit with our readers. From cottage to scenic lakeside home Take a classic log cabin and add a contemporary addition – on top! See how the architects approached this tricky renovation move. The outcome speaks for itself How to design your home office Working from home comes with many benefits – but you need to to make the most of the design of your home office to avoid the downsides. Why to avoid only choosing downlights Lighting choices can make or break your interior – an expert shares some illuminating tips as what to do and what to definitely not do Shoe lovers unite! While the other side of this blade wall forms a bedhead, this side is all about the shoes. The blade wall provides a storage solution as well as offering glimpses on either side to the bedroom beyond and sea views beyond that Brass highlights Apt companions – a counter-weighted lighting fixture shines light on this kitchen’s island countertop. The brass elements of the sculptural light – imported from New York – connect with other brass highlights in the room Expansive, light-filled home threads elegantly between existing, tall willow trees This formal lounge in a home by O’Neil Architecture is a double-height volume – accentuating its importance in the home and optimising views of mature willows on the property. Your guide to outdoor lighting Don't be left in the dark. Here's our comprehensive guide to all you need to know about lighting the outside of your home Making an entrance OK, so you’ve done your best with your beautiful front garden and attractive street-facing cladding – now it’s your entry space’s turn to wow your guests. Here are 10 ways to make your entry space look more dramatic, upmarket and welcoming When it comes to lighting your bathroom, brightest isn't always the best Often the understated lighting design is the most flattering one. This dark, masculine bathroom lightens its presence with subtle under-vanity lighting and low-set windows that let a bath occupant take in garden views Elegant star-burst pendants were the perfect choice for this lakeside home The sculptural, star-burst lighting pendants in this living space are a natural match for the airy interior and natural setting. They have the added advantage of drawing attention to the gabled home's high ceilings Light from (far) above You've gone to the trouble to introduce a grand double height entry – now don't forget to highlight it. A sculptural chandelier leads the eye upwards through this lofty entry space Handmade glass pendants add another layer of sophistication to this bathroom Feature lighting is an easy way to change up your design look. Here handmade glass pendants add glamour to this bathroom in an Art Deco-period home Rose gold and penny rounds – bathroom, lighting Handmade glass pendants add yet another layer of sophistication to this bathrooms in an Art Deco-period home. Subtle interplay of herringbone tiles and a muted palette in luxury bathroom – bathroom, lighting A contemporary pendant highlights the curvaceous tub in this bathroom, and also allows for bathtime reading. Relaxed, low-maintenance beach home follows passive design principles – interiors, lighting Filled with ample natural light, this north-facing bedroom uses contemporary glass pendants as feature lighting to frame the bed A professional tells us how to improve your home lighting – and what to avoid There's a lot to consider with home lighting – from design to avoiding glare to incorporating contrast. Not to worry, we've got advice from a lighting professional to guarantee a positive outcome for your interiors Timber veneer adds a softer touch to a semi-industrial style – kitchen, lighting Say it with symmetry. The island, cooktop, tall cabinetry and long linear pendant light fixture are all perfectly balanced around a central axis in this kitchen 8 luxury bathrooms to long for – bathroom, lighting This bathroom needs non-slip floors, dripping in sheer luxury as it is. Even the sconces look fit for a queen. For more lighting ideas, check out the Trends Lighting Hub Clifftop apartment combines unbeatable harbour views with open plan luxury interiors – bathroom, lighting Design is a rallying of features! Specially sourced tiles in this apartment bathroom combine with concealed LED lighting to add to the feeling of opulence and warmth Elegance and efficiency in a limited space – kitchen, lighting Notice this kitchen's task lighting? No? And neither would anyone in the adjacent lounge. In a bid to downplay functionality, this kitchen has recessed LED strip lighting to shed light on work surfaces Marble feature wall makes a splash in this powder room – bathroom, lighting Say it with great lighting. Lighting meets sculptural feature in this exotic marble-lined powder room, where Martini Silver pendants add another touch of sparkle and luxe Romantic French farmhouse exterior – but step inside! – lighting The smallest element can reflect a merger of two styles. While the outside is French farmhouse, the interior of this home is modern – and this candelabra reflects both worlds Balancing scale, views and comfort was the biggest challenge in the design of this substantial home – new home, lighting LED lighting throughout this pool and spa creates a bright contrast to the myriad city lights in the distance. For some light inspiration for your design, visit the Trends Lighting Hub Masculine mood – kitchens, lighting Hand-blown glass pendant lighting by Soktas offers an elegant touch to this raw and dramatic kitchen space, adding a gentle glow. A feature black pendant is also more than in keeping Indian culture is celebrated in an opulent bathroom with gold mosaics, gold accents and marble and wood finishes – bathrooms, lighting Lights can deliver tone as well as illumination. Sconces add a sense of formal dignity in this opulent bathroom Using commercial construction material injects drama into this new home – lighting In this expansive living space, a David Trubridge pendant – together with another over the dining table – provides a design feature and local task lighting. Check out the engaging style of the whole house Light in the darkness Pendant lights add glamour while LED strip lighting in the rear panelling offers an ethereal touch and doubles as a night light In this kitchen by William Landeros and Jed MacKenzie Lighting the darkness Concealed lighting under the wall cabinetry washes down the eye-catching herringbone tilework in this bathroom by Bijl Architecture. Master ensuite in a contemporary rear addition to an historic home celebrates the new along with quiet nods to the past Classic sconces are just one nod to the original traditional home that this clean-lined master suite – part of a modern extension by designer Jason Klumpp – forms part of. There are many ways of harnessing light, grasshopper Reflective surfaces add sparkle and interest to any interior. In the study of this fully renovated Sydney harbourside apartment, a lenticular print – Luminar by Kate Shaw – creates the illusion of a 3D design, which changes as you walk. This artwork, hung on a mirrored surface, adds another way in which architect Richard Archer optimised a sense of space and lightness in the already large apartment. Less can indeed be more Task lighting over the island is often a must in a kitchen design but you don’t want it to detract from the wider scheme of things. Here, a long, linear pendant provides adequate lighting – assisted by the skylight –– in a design by Bijl Architects. The slender nature of the light downplays its presence, particularly in an environment that has other long metal elements, the window design included. Light and heavy White and wood surfaces are matched with a substantial concrete-look benchtop and Aplomb concrete pendants by Foscarini. Under statement Interiors More Guess who's coming to dinner This home has plenty of artistic accents, including the sculptural pendant over the dining table – looking like a sleek alien spacecraft Champagne taste on a shoe string budget How to elicit a glamour kitchen without a solid gold budget? Well, along with attention to detail, concealed lighting is a great way to pimp your style In the dark about outdoor lighting? So, every last pendant's sorted indoors, but what about your outdoor lighting? Security, alfresco dining and not falling in the flower bed are three of many reasons to get this sorted How to make your bathroom look stylish and expensive If you want to give your bathroom a makeover that makes it look stylish and expensive, these are some of the useful tips you can follow Dated ‘80s house gets a makeover A dramatic cladding rethink and manipulation of internal spaces, including raised ceilings, has brought this home a more contemporary sensibility Home design-wise how did we survive the 1930s? This renovation rethinks the past This liberating home renovation leaves historic tight spaces behind – with the small bathroom and kitchen removed and the replacement new entertainment spaces flowing out to an expansive rear wrap-around deck Always highlight your best features This feature bathtub, with ornate tub surround, also benefits from concealed LED strip lighting. As well as building the drama, the LED lighting provides a restful night light 1920s cottage has crisp new extension A contemporary linear brass pendant over the kitchen island brings a colour accent into this mainly white, wood and grey- floored extension We know the Specialists Latest Book More Books > Trends 40-10 A selection of this month's top homes, kitchens, bathrooms and more Read More Recommended Business Partners Latest Award More > Verdant retreat Similar Stories
