Lighting

Sometimes your lighting choices get some pretty stiff competition from the outlooks – the elegant pendant in this penthouse eyrie does its best against the New York skyline 

The pendants above this kitchen island serve a dual purpose – highlighting specific areas with a warm glow and at the same time adding to the overall visual appeal 

A rounded welcome greets visitors to this light-filled bathroom – both from a halo LED-ringed mirror and an eclipse-look sconce

Lovers of great lighting are spoilt for choice here – triangular kitchen island pendants, thin white lines, and a broad-brimmed dining area pendant all contribute

For this outdoor living project, Kwila stairs feature concealed lighting – both for looks and for safety

Address the colour temperature of your kitchen lighting fixtures – warmer temperatures create a cosy ambience, while cooler temperatures provide a brighter feel

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

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

What kind of light would suite a penthouse in a tall, big city skyscraper? This urban eyrie benefits from a tall, airy parchment pendant

Clear, contemporary and a dream to behold – the pendant lighting here is a metaphor for this home's wider view-oriented interior

Okay, your bathroom boasts soaring ceilings and classic detailing – how to make the most? Here, elegant lighting draws the eye upwards

This interior reflects a contemporary take on a lakeside lodge – while the board ceiling seems more classic, the lighting is decidedly modern

Placement and good taste are key – this eye-catching pendant looks all the more spectacular when you're climbing the stairs to meet it

For this dramatic bathroom, a dazzling starburst chandelier was converted to low voltage to meet local building code for use over the tub

An elegant glass pendant – by Monmouth Glass Studio – is a fitting inclusion to this light-filled, 'transparent-in-the-right-places' home

These sculptural cloud-like pendants provide a talking point for guests who don't mind chatting about the encroaching weather

A large composite marble stone bath benefits from a sparkling chandelier above – even more surprising, this is in the master bedroom

Industrial look pendants look the part in this industrial vibe kitchen – there's even an industrial look ladder if a light bulb needs changing

Up lights, sconces, dripping chandeliers, there are many luminaire options – in this art-dedicated room it's all about spot lighting what matters

Replete with plantings, this sloping pool/garden space benefits from tiny step lights, ensuring you only take the plunge when you want to

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

Rounded pendants connect with rounded dining table and chairs in this light-filled kitchen, dining, living extension

This dining area pendant has a feathery lighter-than-air feel – contributing to the largely white and wood room's ambience

All that love and attention on your landscaping, then the sun goes down – here, strategic lighting turns horticultural night into day

No, not diamonds as big as the Ritz – this artistic interior includes some spectacular lighting moments, these floating rock-like pendants among them

Besides the space-saving decision to have the wash basin in front of the villa window, this bathroom features a Sugar Bomb pendant

This dining room has custom-designed furnishings by the architect anchored by a beautiful Italian marble table and a magnificent chandelier from Barlas Baylar

These soft-look pendants would throw a conducive light on any dining table conversation – plus, they are sympathetic to the 1940s character home

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

Sleek shutters control natural light while LED lights turns a corner overhead in this shower stall – then there's the illuminated soap niche

For this lavish interior, the designer introduced bespoke crystal Murano chandeliers and French style carved marble fireplaces (among other things)

Twenty custom cylinder lights above the island and task lighting within the wall units have the task lighting covered for this kitchen

Strips of LED lights draw attention to one of several features in this kitchen, the chunky rich grained oak veneer display shelving 

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

A cove ceiling with concealed lighting features in this media room – ticking the twin boxes of decoration and low-impact way finding

ConeHome pendants, by Laal, provide dining task lighting for this al fresco setting while natural light leaks on from all sides, skylight included

Designer pendants with the look of floating petals hovering over the dining table adding to the overall wow-factor in this kitchen/dining space 

The contemporary new ground floor kitchen in this high-end, designed-from-afar renovation includes eye-catching, flaming torch-like pendants

Warm white spot and strip lighting provide illumination for this seaside kitchen, along with natural task lighting from skylights over the perimeter benchtops

Twenty custom-made cylinder lights above the 'floating' island contribute to the wider task lighting in this highly contemporary kitchen

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

Already flooded with natural light courtesy of skylights, this bathroom's functional specified strip lighting highlights the texture of the feature tiles

The ornate chandelier is a fitting inclusion in this soaring entertainment/dining/kitchen space – adding bling and drawing attention to the high ceiling

A leaf-like David Trubridge light provides a floating centrepiece to this two-level open-plan interior, while conforming to the earthy colour palette 

This interior design creates the sense of a wider space with a neutral colour palette and use of indirect light – translucent pendants included

A renovation marries sympathetic new architecture to a Modernist home – in the dining area helped by a period-look pendant 

For this entertainer's kitchen, concealed lighting on the island gives it added presence and doubles as a convenient night light 

Reflective blue globe pendants catch the eye, even from the kitchen – toning with the dining chair covers and the blue sky beyond the windows

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

Lighting pendants with a light look themselves contribute to this stylish kitchen that stands out without competing with the scenic outlooks

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

For this kitchen, designer pendants over the dining table add another contemporary accent and also draw attention to the height of the room

A sculptural table bowl and eye-catching bold blue reflective pendants are in keeping with the shapely nature of this expansive white kitchen

For this bathroom, mirror backlighting provides quality task lighting and includes dimmers, for a soft relaxing feel and double use as a night light

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

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

Hand-blown glass pendants by Monmouth Glass Studio were the finishing touch for this bathroom which celebrates the bold not the bling

For this refurbishment of a Georgian-style residence, custom lights and chandeliers at strategic points help build on the sense of a rich history

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 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

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

Several sculptural lighting pendants are served up in this apartment transformation – none more striking than the one over the starburst dining table

The user-friendly lighting in this bathroom functions on two switches – one summoning a relaxing warm glow, the other brighter task lighting

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

This apartment has undergone a radical transformation – dramatic lighting choices include the Affinity Modular pendant over the dining table

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

Transparent orb pendants add a lighter touch to this cave-like interior which in turn balances the hillside home's colourful coastal outlooks

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

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

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

A contemporary chandelier comprised of floating 'bubbles' draws the eye up in this dramatic double-height entranceway to an upmarket home

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

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 

Mid-Century Modern gets a new twist in this suburban home. The exterior boasts a strong composition while the interior features light-filled volumes 

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

Stylist Justine Wilson provides some useful tips to transform your backyard into an outdoor room

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  

Contemporary extension to traditional Californian bungalow in major renovation project provides large open-plan family living area, lap pool

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

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

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

This was our top interiors story of 2020. Read the full story to see why it was a hit with our readers. 

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.

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

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

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

Lighting choices can make or break your interior – an expert shares some illuminating tips as what to do and what to definitely not do

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Handmade glass pendants add yet another layer of sophistication to this bathrooms in an Art Deco-period home.

A contemporary pendant highlights the curvaceous tub in this bathroom, and also allows for bathtime reading.

Filled with ample natural light, this north-facing bedroom uses contemporary glass pendants as feature lighting to frame the bed

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

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 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lights can deliver tone as well as illumination. Sconces add a sense of formal dignity in this opulent bathroom

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

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 

Concealed lighting under the wall cabinetry washes down the eye-catching herringbone tilework in this bathroom by Bijl Architecture.

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.

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. 

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.

White and wood surfaces are matched with a substantial concrete-look benchtop and Aplomb concrete pendants by Foscarini.

This home has plenty of artistic accents, including the sculptural pendant over the dining table – looking like a sleek alien spacecraft

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

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

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

A dramatic cladding rethink and manipulation of internal spaces, including raised ceilings, has brought this home a more contemporary sensibility

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

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

A contemporary linear brass pendant over the kitchen island brings a colour accent into this mainly white, wood and grey- floored extension