blog.castlegatelights.co.uk

Author: pracero

Modern Styling at Castlegate Lights

One easy way to inject a touch of modernism into your home, without a full room overhaul, is with lighting. Lighting is obviously an essential part of any room, but the right piece can also act as a fashion statement, drawing attention and becoming a feature in itself. Here at Castlegate Lights we are proud to offer an extensive range of modern and ultra modern lighting solutions, ideal for bringing your home up to date.

So what springs to mind when we think of modern style? Generally, modern style is quite an open category, however it is usually characterised by sleek lines, simple colours, clean edges and polished materials. It can also however incorporate unique shapes and geometrical designs combined with industrial materials, bringing striking pieces that can really add something new to a room. Here we take a look at different rooms in which you could utilise modern lighting, to bring a fashionable and on-trend look to your home.

Kitchen

Whether for cooking, eating, or relaxing with a glass of wine, a kitchen is often the heart of the home, and a room in which we spend a surprising amount of time. Practical kitchen lighting does not have to be un-stylish. Our ceiling lights incorporates clean lines with modern polished chrome, resulting in a piece that will bring a modern and stylish edge to any much-loved kitchen. The dimmable settings means these lights are also ideal for turning your kitchen from a practical place to prepare and cook food into somewhere with a relaxing atmosphere for eating and socialising.

Outdoors

Whether used to illuminate your front porch or to brighten up a back garden or patio area, lighting is a brilliant way to bring a whole new, ambience to your outdoor space. Lighting in an outdoor area brings a special atmosphere, ideal for relaxing in the evening or having guests around for a summer barbecue. Copper is a trend that is very fashionable in home decor right now, therefore we think you’ll love this Forum Lighting outdoor wall fitting, ideal for bringing a modern, stylish edge to your garden.

Bathroom

A bathroom is an area of the home that is often neglected decor wise. We’re fast to adorn other rooms with the latest trends and furniture, however the very nature of a bathroom, with it’s fitted fixtures, often leaves little room for us to put our creative stamp on it. An ideal way to add something special into a bathroom is with stylish, modern lighting. Modern bathrooms are defined by straight edges and clean visuals, meaning modern lighting fits in extremely well. We love this Endon Lighting panel light, featuring a modern, clean rectangular design. Stainless steel and frosted glass with a seamless finish make this piece sure to look great in any bathroom, and it’s built in shaver socket means it is not only stylish but highly practical too!

Dining Room

When it comes to a dining room or area, lighting really can take centre stage; even with an otherwise plain dining table the right lighting can make the whole room look spectacular. We think a modern, hanging light looks stunning as the centrepiece to any dining table – take this David Hunt piece for example. This unique and individual piece features a traditional chandelier encased within an industrial, copper geometric design. Perfect for adding a modern touch to any dining room, and sure to be a talking point at any future dinner parties!

Of course this is just a small selection from the large range of modern and ultra modern lights we stock. With options to filter based on room, finish and fittings, it couldn’t be easier at Castlegate Lights to find the perfect piece to give your home a modern refresh!

March 21, 2016
Lighting Your Home: Bathroom

Whether you have a large family bathroom or something more chic and compact, it’s an essential part of any home. If you like to keep your bathroom looking stylish, then achieving the right bathroom lighting is important. Having the option for both evenly distributed light as well as a subdued relaxed atmosphere is important, but how do you achieve both kinds of lighting? Ideally there are three types of fittings that you can choose for your bathroom, these include wall, mirror and spotlights and each of which play very different roles when adding light to your bathroom.

Spot Lights

An essential style of lighting in any bathroom is the spot light. It is an ideal source of light, easily fitted and also adds a touch of modern style to your room. If you want to direct light on one area or highlight a feature, then a spotlight is the perfect choice. Ideal for over a shower or sink, but they can also be used as a main ceiling light, with multiple spotlight heads allowing you to direct light freely in any direction around the room.

Mirror Lighting

A bathroom mirror is something many of us use every morning, so having a mirror and the right lighting is essential to your busy morning routine. If you lack any natural light in your bathroom, then you could try adding some mirror lighting to the room. Our bathroom mirror lights are available in a range of styles and a selection of our designs include motion sensors, built in clocks, shaver sockets and LED illuminated lights for added convenience and to ease those rushed morning routines.

Wall Lighting

Wall lighting might seem like an unusual choice for a bathroom, but the right design can work incredibly well. Polished metals such as stainless steel and chrome are an excellent choice and give off a very clean, chic look which is perfect for any bathroom style. Wall lighting also provides an alternative choice to a ceiling light, if you are looking for something different to add to your bathroom decor.

All lights carry an IP rating which is used to identify their effectiveness to keep out moisture, found in all domestic bathrooms. If you are unsure about any of our fittings, please contact a qualified electrician who will be able to advise you.

For even more bathroom lighting styles and designs, make sure you browse the current collection available at Castlegate Lights. We stock a variety of lights from top name brands, all of which are of the highest quality and feature both modern and traditional styles.

March 4, 2016
The Perfect Outdoor Lighting

It may be rare in Britain that we actually get the weather to enjoy our gardens, but on those small number of days that we do, it’s great to have an outdoor area that we can spend time in.

Placing outdoor lighting in and around your garden is a great way to update your outdoor space and knowing what designs work best and how you can utilise these styles is essential for those who want to create a garden to be proud of.

Modern Style

A contemporary style has never been more popular, with many opting for the clean and polished look. Certain designs instantly come to mind when you think modern style, including polished chrome and stainless steel.

Simplistic designs are an excellent way to portray a modern look, be it in the form of a spotlight or a wall light, both of which are great choices for adding to the exterior walls of your home.

Traditional Style

Unlike contemporary designs, traditional styles of lighting are much more extravagant and offer a classic look. Taking inspiration from eras such as the Victorian period, traditional style garden lights create a sophisticated look, and produce a homely rustic feel. Our copper and antique finishes are great choices for achieving a traditional outdoor space.

Typical Outdoor Lighting
If you’re looking forward to spending summer nights in the garden, our lamps and post lights are ideal for evening’s outdoors. We have a huge choice of affordable designs from some of the best brands in the lighting industry. If you are looking for lighting that blends in with rest of your outdoor area, our collection of neutral designs will fit in with your garden or landscaping.

Coastal Lighting

All of our lights come with an IP rating, so you can be certain that our designs are suitable for outdoor use. Rain, damp weather and salty air may rust certain types of lighting, so if you live in a coastal area and looking for some outdoor or garden lights, you will find a selection of coastal lighting for you to choose from on our online store.

February 26, 2016
Lighting For Your Home: Kitchen

A room can take on a brand new look by simply adding or rearranging lighting options, and a kitchen is no different. As the kitchen is a room well frequented throughout a typical day, why not spend a little time looking at the kitchen lighting options available at Castlegate Lights.

Gone are the days of having only one lighting option of a single strip fluorescent light that cast an unflattering light on food preparations and gave an impersonal feel to a space that is often deemed the heart of a home. So discover how to expertly light your kitchen with an alternative option, such as spotlights which work to highlight the room in an aesthetically pleasing way. Equally spaced when installed in the ceiling to avoid over-heating, this type of lighting use energy-friendly LEDs, which will last a lot longer than regular light bulbs.

An additional lighting option is to include subtle lighting, which can dramatically change the feeling of a living space. These discreet of light underneath kitchen cupboards or on bottom panels are a subtle, gentle way of lighting a kitchen when full lighting is not required.

If your kitchen is open plan and includes a dining area, lighting is even more important. Consider a dimmer switch so you can set the mood for romantic meals or just relaxing over a meal with the family. A ceiling bar fitted with spotlights can throw light in a large room with adjustable spotlight heads.

To inject some style with your interior lighting, consider the industrial trend which has become popular in recent years. A ceiling pendant with a chrome or antique brass finish can add to the fashionable feel, and easily fit in with your home decor. A designer statement light can be an excellent focal point in a kitchen/dining room and we have a great range of ultra modern lighting to help make your home look stylish.

Designer lighting or simple subtle lighting, whatever your style, we’ve got you covered.

February 2, 2016
Lighting Your Home: Bedroom Lighting

Lighting your home can be stressful and tricky, you want something that captures the theme perfectly, you might want a lighting fixture that creates a focus piece, or one that is easily hidden. Whatever your lighting needs, at Castlegate Lights we’re here to help!

Our latest selection of blog posts will feature on how to light the rooms in your home; first up is your bedroom!
A bedroom can be a difficult place to get the right lighting fixtures for, you ideally want something that reflects your personality, but doesn’t draw attention away from the feature piece in the room, your bed. As it’s usually a place to relax our professional opinion would be to suggest a light with dimmable capabilities, to be able to create that right atmosphere, but with the added option to put the brightness up. At Castlegate Lights we have a huge range of lighting dedicated to just bedroom lighting, so depending on if you’re going for the contemporary style or rustic edge we’ve got the perfect style for you!

Ceiling
A pendant of hanging light is an excellent feature to any room, but really gives a bedroom that homely feel and distributes light expertly. Our two suggestions:

Fitting in perfectly with either a traditional touch or modern style.

Bedside
A bedroom without bedside tables doesn’t feel right, where else would you put your phones, glasses, book, remotes at night!? Of course if you’ve got bedside tables you’ll need a table lamp to go on top, and at Castlegate we’ve got an incredible amount of stylish lamps for you to choose from! Two of our favourites:

Spotlights
Spotlights might seem out of place in a bedroom, but they are provide a great source of light if you have a walk in wardrobe or over a dressing table. If you’re looking for a discreet spotlight then we’ve got a few ideas for you in our collection:

As spotlights are usually LED they give off a brilliant clean light, which will last alot longer than your regular bulbs.
For more great bedroom lighting choices check out our full collection at Castlegate Lights.

January 21, 2016
Bonfire Night Safety & Top Tips

It’s finally that time of year again, the leaves have started falling, the temperature is dropping and the nights are getting longer. Bonfire night is now only around the corner, while as fun as it is, fireworks going off, sparklers to play with and a lot of food around you still need to remember safety! At Castlegate Lights we’ve put together safety guide and top tips on how to enjoy bonfire night sensibly and safely, especially when it comes to lighting fireworks and bonfires.

November 2, 2015
‘Four tips to save money with your lighting choices.’

It’s one of the most overlooked aspects of household budgeting, but studies have repeatedly shown that both switching to energy efficient lighting, and thinking carefully about how you use your lighting, results in a significant reduction in bills. When the changes are as simple as switching out a light bulb for a more efficient counterpart, what excuse have you got for not revolutionising your household lighting starting today? Read on as we here at Castlegate Lights, provide you with four ways you can help reduce your energy bills.

Low Energy Lighting solutions from Castlegate Lights

If you’re looking to cut down on your energy outgoings as we head into the Autumn months, Castlegate Lights has an entire range of ‘Low Energy Lighting’ solutions, which will provide your home with the level of lighting you need whilst remaining optimised for low energy consumption, helping the green planet and your wallet in the long run.As we all know, it’s the little things that end up becoming absolutely paramount in the final tally. We’re also committed to never sacrificing versatility or sophistication, whatever the lighting type; and that’s why every item in our low energy lighting range looks the part, exhibiting one of several contemporary finishes.

Make the switch

As we’ve already touched on, making use of energy saving light bulbs is the way to go if you want to cut those bills. Key studies from energy watchdogs put the ‘amount saved’ figure at around £50 per lifetime of an energy efficient bulb. As an added bonus, the bulb will also last somewhere between 10-12 years longer depending on usage.

LED lights the way

This is most definitely one of those ‘in the long run’ switches, but the trend towards making use of LED lightbulbs is a result of their outstanding ability to transfer as much electricity into light energy as possible, and as little as possible outputting as heat energy. Unfortunately, if you’re a poor student, LED lightbulbs won’t be much help in heating your bedroom after the student loan runs out.

Make use of natural light

We all know how the old adage goes:

“early to bed, early to rise – makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

All three are true when it comes to making the most of those sunlight hours, rather than waking up late and staying up until the early hours, long after darkness has swooped in; adapt your body clock to the daylight hours.

On or off?

Countless contradictory studies have been released discussing the merits of whether or not you should turn light bulbs off as you leave a room; taking into consideration variables such as the cost of replacement bulbs and energy expenditure of switching on a bulb. It’s all a bit dull, but the long and short of it is that even if you’re replacing your bulbs regularly, the cheap price of energy efficient bulbs means that you should be switching lights off as you potter around the house.

Do you have any energy saving tips of your own?

There exist a litany of energy saving tactics, strategies and gadgets; and different households will swear by different approaches. Whether it’s utilising a certain type of light bulb, avoiding switching the same lights on and off as you walk through rooms, or just changing your waking hours to make the most of the ultimate ceiling light, the sun. Leave your favourite tips below in the comment section so that others can benefit from your wisdom; or, who knows, you could learn an invaluable tip from somebody else!

We’ll make sure that the best ones are shared across social media, speaking of which, make sure to follow Castlegate Lights on Facebook and @castlegatelight

October 2, 2015
A look at Endon Lighting

For those familiar with the decorative lighting industry, Endon is a name that has earned a reputation for excellence, building on a long and storied history to becoming one of the most trusted, innovative and revered manufacturers in operation. We’re absolutely thrilled to bring you the finest official Endon products from their ranges of lighting that encompasses lighting for just about every room in the home, in a number of simply fantastic styles.

We’re going to look at a few of their ranges below, and we know you’re going to be spending a lot more time looking for Endon products in the future as their quality and value continue to shine through brightly.

21^st century lighting from Endon’s ultra-modern lighting range

Endon strives to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to production of the sleekest lighting styles around. Take a moment to gaze upon the Enluce LED Outdoor Circular Wall Fitting; which has been afforded a luxurious aluminium finish accompanied by the frosted diffuser. The contoured edges and superior design of this lighting intended for use as wall lighting would look fantastic in any space.

If you’re looking for something for the exterior of your home, Endon should be your first stop for lighting capable of illuminating your walkways in an elegant fashion, sure to garner you many compliments from passers-by.

Check out this superb 3 light outdoor post light in black silver cast aluminium, which combines effective lighting and distinctive, patterned metalwork to offer a simply stunning decorative lighting feature.

But wait, there’s more!

Castlegate Lights is committed to providing you, the customer, with the finest products from the leading authorised brands; and our offerings of superb lighting brands certainly do not stop at Endon. Head on over to our ‘Lighting Brands’ page, where you’ll find a portal to such incredible household lighting names such as Astro Lighting and Dar Lighting. We’re constantly updating and refreshing our collection of lighting brands, so be sure to check back regularly; or contact us if any of our brand selections don’t include a particular item you’ve set your heart on – we’ll do our best to supply it for you in a timely fashion.

Get in touch with Castlegate Lights and talk Endon!

Have you recently bought something from the Endon Lighting range? Has something from our range of Endon products caught your eye? Feel free to leave a review below in the comments section and we’ll publish them in an attempt to better illuminate the advantages and drawbacks of your Endon lighting item.

September 30, 2015
In the mood? How lighting can influence your home’s ambience.

Whether you’ve got guests coming over for a dinner party or you’ve just finished a stressful day at work and you’ve been looking forward to kicking back on the sofa as soon as you step through the door, the lighting within your home can have a direct effect on the atmosphere it creates. When deciding on the lighting for your home, it may be overwhelming with the amount to choose from.

Don’t worry, we’ve got a few ideas and put together a how to guide to get you started on creating that perfect atmosphere within your home.

A table lamp with warm lighting can both sooth and relax.

Inviting – Come On In

When you want to create a welcoming atmosphere within your home, the positioning of your lighting is very important. Although it will produce a more dramatic effect during the winter months when we lose the light earlier in the day, you can make your house look inviting by placing lamps close to the windows to make it look cosy. Something like our Dar Lighting Tripod Floor Lamp placed by a window can create that effect.

Relaxing – Take A Load Off

So you’ve had a busy day at work and you just want to kick your feet up and relax, we’ve got the perfect solution. You’ve probably seen these popping up in all the new trendy bars and restaurants. We’re talking about Filament Bulbs – which come in varied styles and are best hung from the ceiling using something like our David Hunt Lighting Ceiling Pendant. With their warm colour and interesting

filament design, they create a very relaxing atmosphere allowing you to unwind once you’re home. Make sure you install a dimmer so you can adjust the intensity of the light – too much glare and your eyes won’t get a chance to rest.

Bright Light – When You Need It

One place where you need the light is the kitchen. Not only do you need the light to prepare food and navigate around the oodles of doors and drawers, the kitchen is often the place of congregation when you have guests over at your home. Using bright and vibrant lighting helps create an atmosphere that encourages people to engage in conversation with each other. LED lights in the kitchen are a good choice because they are very versatile and also produce a vivid light. You can use them in a traditional bulb form or in something like our Firstlight LED Strip Light, which can be placed under kitchen units to illuminate the worktop.

It’s Summer – Garden Party!

There comes times when you have to make the outside of your home just as inviting as the inside. In the summer months we usually hold garden parties and BBQ’s, all of which require lighting for when the sun begins to fade on these warm nights. This is a great opportunity to use Solar Lighting as it saves you the job of finding and unwinding those extension cables which can become a hazard if the great British weather suddenly turns. The use of solar lights in the garden creates a great party atmosphere as it means you won’t have to pack up and head indoors as soon as the sun sets.

Feeling Romantic? Softly Does It

Maybe you want to treat your partner to a home cooked meal at the dining table? You can use the traditional candle on the table to create a welcoming atmosphere, but you’ll still need extra light fed into the dining room. You want to have enough light so you can see what you’re eating and soft enough to give that romantic feel. As suggested earlier, a dimmer switch is a great way to achieve this effect so you can control the intensity of the light easily. Also, have the lights positioned so the light spreads evenly over the table so one of you isn’t left in the shadows.

August 18, 2015
How To Create a More Relaxing Home
A home should be somewhere that allows you to relax after a long hard day at work. But with families, children, pets and other distractions of life, sometimes that chill out time you wanted becomes a distant memory. Creating a serene environment for yourself isn’t always easy, but when you are designing your home you should focus on crafting a relaxing space that you and everyone in your family can use to escape the stresses of the outside world.

If you are thinking of re-decorating or updating your home décor, then why not follow our ideas on how to create a more relaxing home.

Colours – Subtle Yet Stylish

When choosing your paint remember to opt for subtle colours such as duck egg blue, pastel greens, lilacs and creams. If you are going for wallpaper, then try not to pick a busy pattern and choose something that doesn’t over power the room. Paler shades are said to affect your psychology and help you feel more calm and relaxed.

Furniture – Less Is More

Many people feel the need to fill their room with as much furniture as possible, but if you want to create a more relaxing space, less is more. Only add pieces that are essential such as seating and storage and leave the unnecessary products in the shop. This will allow you to have more unoccupied space within your rooms which will create a more serene living space.

Bring The Outside In

There’s nothing more relaxing than nature, so make sure you add a few plants to your home. Opt for all green plants with less vibrant colours such as Bamboo, Cacti and Ivy. Peace Lilies are also great house plants to place in a room to perfect a calming atmosphere.

Hide The Clutter

Clutter is something we all have to deal with and is unavoidable is most homes, especially if you have children or pets. Try and make sure you have plenty of storage solutions such as cupboards and boxes so you have somewhere to hide the mess.

Light Up

Adding some new lighting to your home will help to create a more relaxed feel. At Castlegate Lights you will find a great selection for you to choose from in a range of calming designs. Below are some of our favourite lighting styles which are ideal for those wanting a more relaxed home.
1. 1. Astro Lighting Tube 600 Shade In Oyster Fabric Finsh For Use With Pendant And Wall Fittings
  2. Oaks Lighting Soft Grey 8 Inch Hard Lined Pencil Pleat Shade
  3. Dar Lighting Osaka Easy Fit Ceiling Light Pendant in an Antique Chrome Finish
  4. Dar Lighting Fence Easy Fit Ceiling Light Shade with a Wood and Metal Frame
  5. Dar Lighting Bugle Ceiling Light Pendant Shade In Cream Finish
June 3, 2015