For far too long, the impact of lighting on a room scheme has been, at best, underrated and, at worst, ignored. But the use of lights – from wall sconces to table lamps and ceiling pendants – can have a transformative effect on the look of any space, and perhaps most importantly, how you feel within it. With the nights drawing in, lighting becomes a key player in creating an inviting atmosphere and this is the ideal time to start exploring the ways it can enhance your home.
   
One of the most significant elements to consider when lighting a room is that it needs several layers, usually a combination of ambient, task and accent. Ambient (or overhead) lighting is the primary source of light which provides overall illumination. This is usually achieved through ceiling pendants or chandeliers.

Task lighting focuses on areas with specific activities, like reading or cooking, so good examples are table lamps and kitchen-island pendants. Meanwhile, accent lighting draws attention to specific objects, like artwork, books and architectural features. This may all seem a lot, but truly layered lighting needs to come from different angles and has a big impact on the feel of a room.

To avoid the constant to-ing and fro-ing to switch off various lights, it is useful to have the lights in every room wired on different circuits. So, in the living room, for instance, you can have one switch for the main light, another for table and floor lights and a third to highlight interesting features. In the kitchen, you may want to be able to isolate a single pendant over your dining table when entertaining. Think about what you like to do in different parts of the room and that will shape where the light should ideally be.
Having all the lights at varying heights gives the room contrast and visual interest. A favourite reading chair cries out for an accompanying table lamp, which should not sit higher than eye level.

If you have a large living room, consider choosing two lamps on either side of the sofa, for instance, which gives the room balance and symmetry. Floor lamps should be around 150cm to 165cm high, and if you are likely to use one for reading, a lamp with a slender base is perfect behind a sofa. These do not rule out the importance of a ‘main’ light – this is a great opportunity to inject a decorative element that looks good on and off. A focal piece, such as a chandelier, can make a stunning statement and be used on a dimmer switch, meaning you can easily soften its mood.

Downlighters are very effective for providing general light in a kitchen, but a grid akin to an airport landing strip can look functional and unattractive. Instead, select specific task areas where you genuinely need illumination, such as above the worktops and the sink.
   
Remember, a focal light doesn’t have to be at the centre of the ceiling – it may have more impact hanging over a dining table that is on another side of the room. There is a move now for kitchens to be designed more like a room than a functional space, so an introduction of a table lamp on the end of a worktop can help to create ambience.
   
Talking of which, do not forget the importance of candlelight – its warm, flickering glow is always inviting, whether it is from a candelabra on a mantelpiece or on a dinner table. If you are wary of a naked flame, a wall sconce on either side of a fireplace can have a similar effect.
   
There was a time when a lack of plug sockets could restrict the number of lamps you can have in any room. But no more, thanks to an increasing number of stylish portable lights now available. These rechargeable lights can usually offer eight full hours of use and many are suitable for both indoors and outside.

As the festive period approaches, the importance of lighting in the home becomes heightened especially around one of the season’s key centrepieces – the Christmas tree. Classic, warm fairy lights look and feel more atmospheric than ‘icy’ white ones and are unlikely to jar with any existing room scheme. The general rule for a well-lit tree is 100 fairy lights per foot, so a 6ft tree would need 600 lights. Using a ‘still’ setting creates a calmer environment than one with constantly flashing lights.

Ultimately, lighting can be as simple, or as sophisticated, as you choose. Either way, understanding the different ways to use it ultimately helps to create homes that are not just functional but inviting and aesthetically pleasing for this season and beyond.