Ever looked at before-and-after photos of home makeovers and thought, “Could I make my home look that good?” While big changes like color and layout stand out, light fittings are the secret touch that can make each room feel more connected and stylish.
The right fittings bring warmth, highlight key areas, and add personality without costing too much.
Shops like Discount Lighting make it easy to find light fittings that suit any style—even if you’re new to design.
Choosing lights that either blend in or stand out can make your home feel more welcoming. With about 62% of Aussies renovating their homes, many learn from YouTube or DIY tips to get that designer finish. Follow these simple ideas to use light fittings to pull your spaces together like a pro.
1. Define what you need
Think of selecting light fittings as a puzzle that has to come together where structure, colour, shape, function, balance, mood, budget, and personality fit together seamlessly. Above all, consider form before beauty, a maxim coined by the renowned architect Louis Sullivan that emphasises rational, purposeful design.
Planning well ensures that you can work better in well-lit areas like the kitchen and home office and enjoy hobbies like reading or creating crafts without straining your eyes, while keeping living rooms and bedrooms cosy. You can even create a spa-like look for your bathroom or make small bedrooms look bigger!
Here are some other useful tips to keep in mind:
Choosing light fixtures is usually straightforward in traditional homes but can be trickier in open floor plans. In open spaces, multiple lighting sources are often needed to illuminate areas that flow into each other without clear boundaries. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Aim for a unified look: Match styles, colors, and finishes across your fixtures for a cohesive design. Choose from options like synthetic materials, glass, stone, wood, and metals.
- Plan fixture placement carefully: Think about what you want to highlight, such as mirrors, art, wallpaper, wall colors, and workspaces, as these can impact your lighting choices.
- Consider the “hardware” essentials: Avoid common mistakes, like making unnecessary holes, forgetting wiring, or missing smart bulb connectivity.
After listing the most critical items, think about fillers or support lighting that may not be used all the time but can create ambience or provide better illumination when the room’s lighting is recessed or diffused. These days, you can even use versatile 3-in-1 bulbs which can switch easily from soft white, daylight white or warm.
2. Visualise with a mood board
With do-it-yourself projects, a mood board for the exterior and interior of your house simplifies the process of ensuring that all your “moving pieces” are in harmony. Drawing inspiration from Pinterest, Etsy, or Instagram can help you avoid visual clashes or getting lost midway into the project.
Complementary lighting is easy on the eyes. When the ceiling, floor, pendant, and table lights are proportional to the layout and sensibly placed, room is inviting and well-illuminated but not overwhelming.
Simply choosing what you love is a recipe for disaster in the long run. When sharing that space with your family, friends, or significant other, consider their needs and preferences too! Save yourself from the heartache of useless purchases and expensive renovations if your housemates dislike your choices.
3. Don’t neglect exterior lighting
A home’s exterior is an often-neglected aspect when it comes to renovation or improvement projects. However, a 2021 survey from HomeLight showed that buyers are willing to pay 7% more for a property with great curb appeal compared to one with a run-down exterior.
Choose exterior light fittings that:
- Are consistent with the overall architectural style
- Serve your purposes for ambience, illumination, and security
- Can safely withstand the elements, and
- Have a timeless appeal
4. Keep interior lighting along similar lines
Harmonious or coordinated doesn’t equate to boring. It does mean keeping most of the “lines and elements” of a similar look. If you aren’t very confident with mixing and matching, you can never go wrong with keeping it simple!
Interior lighting is more complex than outdoor lighting because it has to blend with the furnishings and other fixtures. It wasn’t easy to gauge how well your chosen fittings looked together in the past since you’d have to go shopping in different stores.
With Internet shopping cutting time, expense, and effort while offering unparalleled service and fast delivery, you now have the luxury to focus on style.
Whether you opt for traditional, rustic/country, contemporary, industrial, or minimalist, there are smashing choices that complement each other and perfectly fit your lifestyle and aesthetic sense:
- Chandeliers
- Pendant lights
- Stair lights
- Recessed lights
- Wall lights
- Ceiling lights
- Adjustable spotlights
- Track lights
- Lamps
Tired of blending into the woodwork? Expert designers recommend bolder pieces like oversized chandeliers in living rooms and nature-inspired details. They’ve even coined “newstalgia” to describe the art deco revival with its florals and swirls. Translucent stone and matte black finishes are likewise trending.
Other trends popular in design sites are the innovative use of light as art and more “flowy” geometric shapes representative of the modern organic style. This minimalist style – a cross of Scandinavian and Bohemian influences – went viral this year and is predicted to become an enduring one.
Bouncing light off ceilings and keeping ambient lighting soft with walls “washed with soft light” remain popular. Back in style are valances instead of floor lamps, emphasising clean lines and augmenting with task lights only when needed.
Hold your horses
With the ease of buying online and valuable information available through Google, YouTube, Pinterest, and IG, it is easy to go overboard. While layering light creates dimension and well-lit space, then muddling it with too many details can be too distracting. Know when to stop because less is more!
There are no rigid rules when coordinating light fittings throughout the home. The operative words are purpose, bliss, sensibility, lifestyle, and budget – while keeping in mind organic flow in any layout. Following expert advice helps create a functional, cosy, beautiful home that won’t burn a hole in your pocket and adds value to your investment.
FAQs Light Fittings
Do I need an electrician to change a light fitting in Australia?
Yes, most electrical work, including changing light fittings, legally requires a licensed electrician. Working with electricity can be risky, and improper handling can void warranties and insurance.
Can I replace a light fixture myself?
If you’re a capable DIYer, you might feel up to the task, but safety is key. In Australia, changing a light fitting generally calls for a licensed electrician due to safety and legal considerations.
Can I change the light switch myself in Australia?
Changing a light switch involves complex wiring, so it’s best left to a professional. In Australia, DIY electrical work is not only risky but also legally restricted.
How much does an electrician charge to change light fittings?
The cost of changing a light fitting typically ranges between $30 and $45 if the wiring is in good shape. This task usually takes an electrician less than an hour.