blog.castlegatelights.co.uk

Category: Indoor Lighting

Step Up Your Staircase Lighting: A Guide to Elevating Your Stairs with Staircase Lighting
When planning your interior lighting, the stairs often get forgotten. However, stair lighting is crucial to increase safety in your home, and it’s an untapped area where you can enhance your home with a stylish lighting design feature.

In this staircase lighting guide, we will help you choose the best lighting for your staircase with a selection of ideas you can incorporate into your interior. We will also teach you how to install stair lights safely – keep reading to find out how to illuminate and upgrade your stairs.

Table of contents
The importance of staircase lighting

Illuminating your staircase is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your interior design flare. If you have an architecturally beautiful staircase, why not compliment it with a showstopping lighting fixture or highlight its innate beauty with subtle lighting?

Enhance the welcoming atmosphere of your home with a warming ambience up the stairs.

Staircase lighting also has safety benefits. Adding more light to a staircase helps increase safety on the stairs to prevent accidents in the dark.

How to choose lighting for the staircase

When choosing staircase lighting, remember these crucial considerations when browsing.

Style

When shopping for staircase lighting, try to match the lighting style to the overall feel of your interior decor. For example, shop for modern lighting if your home has a contemporary aesthetic.

If you live in a period property with a grand staircase, look for more traditional lighting, like crystal chandeliers. Or, if you have a rustic wooden staircase, find wooden lighting that matches. If your staircase incorporates a lot of metal, narrow your search to more industrial-style lighting.

Staircase design

Homes can feature various types of staircases, which may need different illumination. The staircase style can affect the lights you choose. Here are some examples of staircases and the best staircase lighting for their design.

1. Straight Stairs

Straight stairs are self-explanatory. They run from the ground floor to the upper levels in an upward ascent with no curves. Use mirroring symmetry to mimic the ascent with multiple wall lights ascending with the stairs and illuminate the strains evenly.

2. L-shaped stairs

An L-shaped staircase is split into two sections and follows the right angle of a wall to get to the next level. Where it turns in direction, there is a landing step, usually in a square shape. Create balance by illuminating this middle section from above with a pendant light or chandelier.

3. U Shaped Stairs

U-shaped stairs are two parallel straight stair flights joined by a landing, creating a 180-degree turn in the walk line. Illuminate the landing section from above like the L-shaped staircase, or use two ceiling lights to illuminate each flight of stairs.

4. Winder Stairs

Winder stairs contour around corners but have narrower steps on one side. Due to the unevenness of the steps, they can be more challenging to navigate. Add recessed step lights to illuminate the narrow steps.

5. Spiral Stairs

Spiral staircases are typically used in compact spaces as they ascend directly upwards in a helix arc. You can either illuminate these stairs by hanging ceiling lights underneath the step above or light the step with under-step lights, which will help people navigate the narrow part of the steps.

6. Curved Stairs

Curved stairs can curve in any direction with any level of arch curve. As these are usually a design feature, you need a light to match the grandeur level and technical prowess. Suspend a pendant light or chandelier in the negative space of the curve to create symmetry.

7. Cantilever Stairs

Cantilever stairs give the appearance that the stair treads are floating but are attached to the wall. These often appear in modern homes, so add recessed step lights to illuminate the stairs in a contemporary way and help people navigate the gaps between the treads.

8. Split Staircase (Bifurcated)

Split staircases, or bifurcated stairs, start at the bottom level that ends at a landing, which splits off into two staircases going in opposite directions. As these staircases are usually in a grand entrance, hang an equally extravagant ceiling light above the landing to create symmetry and balance.

Brightness and colour temperature

Consider the best brightness level and colour temperature to match your interior decor, create the right ambience and provide the optimum amount of light for safely using the stairs.

For the brightness level, you want a balance of the optimum amount of light to climb the stairs safely without the light being too glaring.

You also want to create the right ambience to match your home’s aesthetic. For example, even though staircase lighting is practical, you still want the light to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

We recommend using light with a warm colour temperature to maintain an inviting and cosy atmosphere. However, if you have an ultra-modern interior, you might want to experiment with white or cool white light on the steps to match the futuristic aesthetic.

Energy efficiency

We always recommend using LED bulbs in your staircase lighting as they can offer the best energy-efficient lighting option.

Ambience vs accent lighting

You have two main ways to light a staircase that create two different effects. The one you choose will depend on the lighting effect you want to produce.

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting is a fantastic way to illuminate your stairs. It creates general lighting that will light your entire staircase area. These can be ceiling lights, like pendant lights and chandeliers. They will illuminate your stairs from above. Or, you can install wall lights leading up the stairs for a beautiful staggered lighting design.

Accent lighting

You can also illuminate your staircase using accent lighting. These come in the form of step lights either recessed into the wall adjacent to the stairs and illuminate the stairs from the side or LED strip lights underneath the steps to create a floating effect.

Types of staircase lighting

Here is our guide on the different types of typical staircase lights.

Ceiling lights

Ceiling lights are the most common way to illuminate your stairs. They offer ambient light from above and sufficiently light the stairs to avoid accidents.

Pendant lights

Pendant lights are a great way to illuminate stairs. As stairs bridge the gap between the ground and upper levels, they usually sit under the high ceiling of the upper level, leaving plenty of room to fit a long or extravagant pendant light.

Use multiple pendant lights ascending the stairs to create a symmetrically staggered and even lighting effect.

Chandeliers

Often, stairs can be a focal point in an entranceway. Complement a grand staircase with an equally extravagant chandelier. With traditional and modern designs to browse, you can find a cascading chandelier to match your stair shape.

Wall lights

Wall lights are a fantastic alternative to ceiling lights to illuminate your stairs with ambient light. Distribute these lights evenly and stagger them to mimic the ascending stairs to achieve a symmetrical effect.

Step lights

Alternatively, you can illuminate your stairs using lights that highlight and accent the stairs. These can also help illuminate narrower stairs that people may struggle to navigate.

Recessed wall lights

Recess wall lights in the wall running along the stairs to highlight each step from the side.

Under-stair strip lights

If you have a modern home interior, you may want to consider illuminating your steps with under-stair strip lights from underneath to get a shadowed, floating effect.

How to install stair lights

We urge that if you install a new light in a new location and need additional wiring, contact an experienced electrician to install the lighting safely and correctly. If you are replacing an old light fitting, take caution when wiring the new light, and if you’re not sure what you’re doing, call an electrician.

Here is our step-by-step guide on how to install stair lights.

Tools you will need:
1. Your chosen stairlights
2. A screwdriver
3. A drill and drill bits
4. A voltage tester
5. Wire strippers
6. Electrical tape
7. Wire connectors
8. Electrical junction box (if necessary)
Steps:

1. Plan your light design:

Decide where your light placement is and the type of light you’re using. Then, measure and mark where you want each light. If you’re using multiple lights, make sure the spaces are even.

2. Turn off the power:

Before beginning any electrical work, turn off the power to the staircase lighting circuit at the breaker box. Use a voltage tester to confirm the power is off.

3. Drill Holes:

If your lights require wiring, drill holes for the wires according to your planned layout. Ensure the holes are large enough so the light wires aren’t damaged.

4. Install Lights:

For surface-mounted lights, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to secure them in place using screws. If your lights need wiring, thread the wires through the drilled holes and fix the lights using screws.

5. Connect the Wiring:

Connect the wires of each light according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, this involves connecting the positive (hot) wire to the positive terminal and the negative (neutral) wire to the negative terminal. Use wire strippers to expose fresh copper wire.

Then, use wire connectors to secure the connections and wrap them with electrical tape for added protection.

6. Conceal Wires (if applicable):

If you want to hide the wires, consider running them through conduits or channels along the staircase or behind the risers.

7. Test the Lights:

Turn the power back on and test each light to ensure functionality. If any lights do not work, double-check the wiring connections.

8. Secure Loose Wires (if applicable):

Use cable or adhesive clips to secure loose wires along the staircase, preventing tripping hazards and ensuring a neat appearance.

9. Seal Drill Holes (if applicable):

If you drilled holes for wiring, seal them with an appropriate sealant or plasterboard to prevent drafts and maintain the structural integrity of the staircase or wall.

10. Reassemble:

If you had to disassemble any part of the staircase during the installation, reassemble it securely.

Staircase Lighting FAQs

How can I retrofit my existing staircase with lights?

Yes! It is possible to retrofit lights to your existing staircase. However, if you need to install extra wiring, we recommend hiring an electrician to complete the job.

You can drill holes into the wall or ceiling to run wires to install stair lighting. Or, if this isn’t possible, you can run conduit to run wires where you need them.

Are there battery-powered options for stair lights?

If you can’t retrofit stair lights, it’s too difficult to install new wiring, or you want a clean, seamless, easy-to-install lighting solution for your stairs, opt for battery-powered stair lights. These lights are easy to install and require no electrical installation.

What are the best practices for maintaining staircase lighting?

Ensure your staircase lighting lasts with these best maintenance practices.
- Regular cleaning. Clean dust and debris off your light fixtures regularly to ensure they shine at their intended brightness. Use a mild cleaning solution and a soft cloth.
- Check connections. Periodically check your wiring and connections for any wear and tear or looseness. Tighten loose connections and replace damaged wiring.
- Test bulbs. Regularly test your staircase bulbs to ensure functionality and replace any burnt-out bulbs. The light could have a wiring issue if a new bulb doesn’t work.
- Inspect regularly for damage. Examine your light fixtures, housing and surrounding area regularly for physical damage. Repair or replace damaged components to maintain the structural integrity of the lighting system.
- Address flickering lights. There could be a problem with the bulb, wiring or light fixture if your bulb flickers. Check and replace faulty components to solve the issue.
- Keep stairs clear. If you have recessed wall lights illuminating your stairs, ensure they are clear of objects as they obstruct the light, reducing visibility and compromising safety.
- Schedule professional safety checks. Periodically hire a qualified electrician to inspect your staircase lighting. Professionals can identify potential issues and perform maintenance tasks that may require specialised knowledge.
If you follow these best lighting maintenance practices, you can ensure your staircase lighting remains in optimal condition. It will also provide safety and aesthetic interior lighting design to your home for many years.

Stair lights at Castlegate Lights

Adding lights to your staircase can help increase safety for everyone using the stars and provide design interest. We hope our ultimate guide on staircase lighting has helped you decide on the perfect stair lights for your staircase. Whatever stair type you have, we have the best lighting fitting for you, whether you have a modern or contemporary interior.

Find the perfect stair lighting at Castlegate Lights today. Browse one of the categories above or look at our hallway lighting collection for hundreds of options.

Related blogs
December 19, 2023
How to light a kitchen island in 6 easy ways
The kitchen is the heart of the household. It’s where you cook, eat and spend time with family and friends. So, if you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful kitchen island in an open-plan kitchen, don’t keep it in the dark!

Kitchen lighting, especially lighting for your island, is essential to get right as it should function as task lighting for meal preparation but also create the right atmosphere for socialising and enjoying meals together.

Kitchens need to function with adequate lighting, but that doesn’t mean your lighting has to be glaring and ugly. Here are six ways to light your kitchen island to provide functional lighting for cooking, cleaning and socialising that also looks stunning.

Table of contents
Pendant lights

Pendant lights are a fantastic way to illuminate your kitchen island. If they have a shade, they provide concentrated task lighting to the island to help you see what you’re doing. Alternatively, you can choose a more open pendant light for general ambient lighting.

In addition to providing practical lighting, a pendant light over an island can contribute to the interior design of your kitchen. As they usually hang low and are in the middle of the room, highlighting the primary workspace of the kitchen, it can be the first thing people see when they walk into the kitchen. Therefore, you want the centrepiece of the room to look stylish.

If you want your pendant light to be an eye-catching design choice that draws the eye and sparks interest, consider an extravagant or innovative design that looks unique. Or, go big to make a bold statement with an oversized pendant light.

Size also matters. The size and shape of your kitchen island will determine how many pendant lights you need to illuminate it sufficiently. If you have a smaller or square kitchen island, you may want to opt for a singular statement pendant light.

Or, if you have a large island or it’s more rectangular, you can create a very eye-catching look by following the rule of three. Suspend three pendant lights in a row above your kitchen island for a dramatic triplet effect. You can also find pendant light fixtures with multiple lights in one fitting to achieve this impactful look.

Whether you have a country-style kitchen, an industrial-chic interior or an ultra-modern aesthetic, there are hundreds of kitchen island lighting options in our pendant lights collection here at Castlegate Lights.

How low should a pendant light hang?

We recommend suspending your pendant light with a 76-91cm gap between the light and the kitchen island. However, there is some room for creative licence; the lower the lamp, the more dramatic the lighting effect.

However, you still want to maintain a functional workspace. The lower the lamp is, the more concentrated the beam will be, diminishing the ambient light to the rest of the kitchen and creating more shadows on the countertop.

Furthermore, you don’t want the height of the pendant lights over the island to interfere with your work. Hang the pendant light too low, and you could knock it with your hands or head.

Chandeliers

Similarly to pendant lights, a chandelier can illuminate your kitchen island surface, provide task lighting and add elegance and grandeur to your kitchen.

Chandeliers provide an eye-catching statement piece in the centre of your kitchen, perfect for highlighting the central kitchen island. Whether you have an industrial-style kitchen with brass fixings or an elegant French country-style kitchen, we offer a range of chandeliers to match your kitchen aesthetic.

Spotlights

There are other ways to illuminate your kitchen island if you don’t like the idea of a protruding hanging pendant light in the middle of your kitchen. For example, spotlights are a sleek and subtle way to illuminate your kitchen island.

We offer a selection of spotlight light fittings, depending on the size of your island and where you want to illuminate. From single spotlights to multiple spotlights mounted on a bar, you can adjust spotlights to point where you need the light most on your kitchen island. For larger kitchen islands, choose a longer spotlight bar to illuminate the entire space.

Downlights

Downlights are another excellent way to illuminate your kitchen island. They will allow you to see what you’re doing, whether cooking up a storm or serving drinks to guests, by providing bright, direct light.

Strategically place a selection of downlights above your kitchen island to get the light you need to complete your daily tasks. Or, use adjustable downlights to point light beams towards your high-work areas.

Downlights offer practical yet clean and minimalist lighting, perfect for a modern kitchen interior.

Track Lighting

Another contemporary way to illuminate your kitchen island is to add track lighting. Track lighting consists of a ceiling-mounted track which supplies an electric current to the track lights. The lights slot into the track. And because they aren’t attached, you can fully adjust their position and direction to suit your needs at any time.

Track lighting has a contemporary, industrial aesthetic, meaning it blends well in a modern kitchen design.

Under-cabinet Lighting

Lighting your kitchen island doesn’t have to be purely functional. Add light layers to your island by highlighting the underside of the countertop to create a futuristic glow.

Under-cabinet lighting around the island can add depth to your kitchen, and when you finish cooking or socialising, leave the light on to create a cosy atmosphere.

Kitchen island lighting at Castlegate Lights

Kitchen island lighting is primarily functional. It helps you see what you’re doing while cooking, eating and socialising, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring.

Create an eye-catching centrepiece with a pendant light or chandelier suspended above the worktop and create a focal point around the room’s centre. Or, if you have a modern kitchen, use spotlights or downlights to illuminate your kitchen island with bright adjustable beams.

Whether you have a modern kitchen aesthetic or a vintage interior, you can find hundreds of kitchen lights in our collection to beautifully illuminate your kitchen island at Castlegate Lights.

Related blogs
November 3, 2023
7 Best Living Room Lighting Ideas for a Cosy Living Room
Other than the bedroom, the living room is probably where we spend the most time. Whether you call it the living room, the lounge or the sitting room, it’s where we relax, wind down and spend time with the family, so it must feel warm, secure and comfortable. Sumptuous lighting can help achieve this relaxing mood. As a versatile room, you might also use it to host guests, so by adding various light layers, you can create a functional and relaxing space for multiple uses.

Whether you have modern or vintage decor, we offer hundreds of lighting styles to match your aesthetic and illuminate your living room. Discover endless options within our seven living room lighting ideas.

Table of contents
- How to light a living room
- What is the best lighting for the living room?
How to light a living room

Most living rooms will have multiple lights, including the primary light in the centre of the ceiling, which provides ambient light to the entire room.

The perfect way to illuminate your living room is through ambient lighting. Ambient lighting refers to the overall light in a space. It gives you a comfortable brightness level without glare and ensures you can walk around your home safely. You can use ceiling lights or wall lights to create ambient living room lighting.

You can then supplement the ambient lighting with accent lighting and task lighting. For example, add a table lamp to help you read in the evening or a floor lamp to illuminate a dark corner or highlight an architectural or design feature.

Swapping between multiple lighting sources can help you alter the living room’s atmosphere and purpose by changing the mood. You will need to consider the size of your space, what you want to use it for and how you want it to make you feel when planning living room lighting.

What is the best lighting for the living room?

If you want to replicate the feeling of warmth to ensure your living room is cosy, here are our seven best ways to light a living room to suit every family member.

Ceiling lights

When lighting your living room, start with your primary light, the ceiling light. Your ceiling light will illuminate your entire room, providing a general ambience. There are thousands of options to browse in various styles to suit your home, but here are the basics.

Pendants

Pendant lights are a fantastic option for living room lighting as they provide general lighting without being too harsh, perfect for creating a mellow, low-light ambience.

Many pendant lights come with downward-facing shades, so if you have a coffee table in the centre of the room, it will perfectly highlight the room’s centre, drawing people to the hub of the home.

Alternatively, you can opt for a more extravagant design that will provide interior design interest and become a focal point in the room that people can admire.

With hundreds of styles to browse, from industrial chic to ultra-modern artistic designs, find the perfect pendant light for your living room here at Castlegate Lights.

Flush and semi-flush ceiling lights

If you still want an ambient light effect in your living room but have low ceilings, your best option is a flush or semi-flush ceiling light. A flush ceiling light will provide general lighting to your living room without protruding into your living space.

Many flush lights feature a frosted diffuser to prevent a harsh glare from ruining the relaxing atmosphere in your living room.

Flush ceiling lights also have a more subtle quality. They can blend better into your decor without drawing too much attention if you have other interior features you want to showcase. Equally, your flush lighting doesn’t have to be boring. We offer hundreds of intricately designed flush lights that will pique your guests’ interest, look elegant and tie your living space together.

From modern and innovative designs to vintage-style crystal flush ceiling lights, find the perfect flush living room lights for low ceilings at Castlegate Lights.

Chandeliers

If you have a grand home or want to elevate the aesthetic of your living room, go all out with a chandelier. Elegantly hanging in the centre of the room, a chandelier will provide an exquisite centrepiece for your living room while also offering general lighting.

You can go extravagant and choose a chandelier with crystal beading and multiple arms, or opt for a more subtle light fitting.

Any of our chandeliers will create a “wow” factor in your living room if you use your living room as an entertaining space. From intricate and loopy designs fit for a ballroom to contemporary geometric patterns to complement your modern home, we have an extensive range of chandeliers to illuminate your living room at Castlegate Lights.

Wall lights

Another way to illuminate your living room is using wall lights. Depending on the light type and where you place them, wall lights can produce ambient light to the entire living room if you have enough dotted around. They can also act as accent lights. From candlelight fittings to up and down lights, create a mellow and relaxing atmosphere in your living room with wall lights.

Uplighters

Sometimes called wall scones, uplighters are a fantastic way to illuminate your living room. To use them as ambient lighting, strategically place multiple uplighters around the living room walls to create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.

Uplighters cast light upwards to create a low-light glow so you don’t have harsh lighting where you want to relax. If you have unusual texture on your wall, they can also highlight that texture.

From modern and sleek styles to art deco concepts, choose uplighters that best suit your living room decor from Castlegate Lights.

Picture lights

Picture lights are another fantastic way to use light in your living room. Use picture lights if you have any wall art, family portraits, paintings or photography you want to highlight.

Picture lights are accent light that subtly illuminates your framed art to draw the eye towards it without adding glare. Add another light layer to your living room and showcase any beautiful art you have in the evening and the daytime.

From sleek, minimalistic lines for contemporary homes to maximalist detailing for a vintage or traditional aesthetic, there is a picture light for every living room aesthetic at Castlegate Lights.

Lamps

Lamps are a great way to soften the mood in your living room. If you want a diffused, mellow light to help you relax and wind down after a long day, turn off your ceiling or wall lights and turn on the lamps. They also have illuminated dim corners that the ambient light might not reach. Lamps also provide task lighting where you need extra light to read.

Table lamps

Add multiple light layers to your living room with a table lamp or two. They will illuminate an end table or a console unit beautifully. With hundreds of stunning and innovative designs, the table lamp you choose will also add to the interior design of your living room.

Whether you’re relaxing and watching TV with the family, need extra light for reading or create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests, table lamps are essential for altering the mood of your living room.

From classically designed table lamps with pleated shades to ultra-modern table lamps with unconventional designs, there is something for every interior style in our table lamp collection at Castlgate Lights.

Floor lamps

Floor lamps also help add varying light layers to living rooms. Similarly to table lamps, floor lamps can beautifully brighten a dull corner of the living room, for example, by the side of a sofa or console table. Choose a floor lamp that complements the style of your living room. Many of our brands offer unusual and stylish floor lamps that add to your interior design besides being functional.

Floor lamps provide a more mellow light to calm the mood, perfect for relaxing in your living room with the family. Depending on the beam angle, floor lamps can also provide concentrated light to help complete tasks like crocheting or reading, especially a mother & child lamp, a miniature task light attached to the floor lamp neck.

Change the lighting atmosphere of your living room depending on your mood with a selection of floor lamps. With so many styles to choose from vintage designs to modern innovations, browse our floor lamp collection at Castlegate Lights and complete your living room lighting today.

Living room lighting at Castlegate Lights

Given how much time we use our living rooms, we need a space that works for multiple occasions. Whether winding down after a long day, cuddled up with a book or entertaining guests, you need multiple light layers to transform the mood of your living room for each occasion.

When planning your lighting scheme, always choose your ambient light first, then your accent and task lights to add varying layers. To start planning your living room lighting, visit our living room lights collection at Castlegate Lights.

Related blogs
November 3, 2023
Modern Chandeliers: Styles to Suit Every Home

When you think of traditional chandeliers, the first image that may come to mind is outdated and opulent designs more suited for grand, stately manors rather than your contemporary home. However, with a much larger variety of modern chandeliers to choose from today, it’s easy to find updated styles the better suit the aesthetic of any modern interior. Here at Castlegate Lights, we’ve highlighted a few styles to try and our top picks for you to consider for your home.

Crystal Chandeliers

If you’re looking for modern chandeliers that fuse classic and contemporary design, crystal chandeliers are a perfect choice. In recent years, traditional crystal chandeliers have been given a contemporary update to suit the trends of 21st-century homes, designed with a more minimal aesthetic that’s much easier to incorporate into modern decor. Whether placed in your hallway, bedroom, living room or dining room, crystal chandeliers are a beautiful way to illuminate a room and create a stunning focal point wherever they’re placed.

Try the style for yourself with designs like our Franklite Willow 12 Light Chandelier in Polished Chrome Finish with Crystal Decorations, our Impex Lighting Padova 12 Light Ceiling Pendant In Polished Chrome And Clear Crystal Finish or our Dar Lighting Nulara 6 Light Ceiling Chandelier In Polished Chrome And Crystal Finish!

Coloured Chandeliers

Another great option when it comes to modern chandeliers is opting for one with a pop of colour. Coloured chandeliers are a unique and stylish way to create a contemporary room feature and allow you to utilise your lighting to create or complement your room’s colour scheme. If your choice of chandelier has lampshades, try opting for a colourful option rather than traditional white or neutral tones. Alternatively, you can opt for a stunning coloured crystal chandelier that adds a touch of playful glamour and style to any room.

Try the look with colourful crystal chandelier designs like our Impex Lighting Salas 8 Light Ceiling Pendant in Red Crystal Finish, or pick a colourful shade like our Franklite Philly 5 Light Chandelier in a Black Finish with Burgundy Pleated Shades.

Industrial Chandeliers

Turning the opulence and glamour of a traditional chandelier on its head, industrial chandeliers offer the exact opposite. Characterised by its stripped-down aesthetic commonly featuring metalwork, hardware and bare bulbs, the industrial trend has risen in popularity in recent years and is now a common feature in modern home interiors. On-trend and effortlessly stylish, the pared-back and gritty style of industrial-style modern chandeliers provide any interior with a cool and contemporary feel. Hang above a kitchen island or your living room for a statement piece that exudes modern style.

Get the look for your home with our Elstead Lighting Douille 5 Light Ceiling Chandelier in Polished Nickel Finish, the Elstead Lighting Quoizel Eastvale 3 Light Pendant Chandelier in Palladian Bronze, or the Franklite Linky 6 Light Semi Flush Ceiling Fitting In Antique Ironwork Finish.

Whether its the timeless beauty of crystal chandeliers, the quirky style of colourful chandeliers or the stripped-back aesthetic of industrial chandeliers that catches your eye, here at Castlegate Lights, you can find a huge range of stunning designs to choose from. Explore our full collection of modern chandeliers to find the perfect style to suit your home.

May 21, 2019
Industrial Lighting: How to Incorporate the Trend into Your Home

When it comes to interior design and lighting trends in recent years, the stripped-back, unfinished aesthetic of industrial lighting has remained ever-popular. While the trend is regularly seen in cool cafes and trendy bars, you can easily incorporate the look into your home with the help of some key pieces of industrial style lighting. In need of inspiration? Here at Castlegate Lights, we’ve created a simple how-to guide, including the colours, characteristics and lighting styles to try.

Industrial Lighting Colours

Black, Stainless Steel and Silver

When it comes to colour schemes in industrial style lighting, there are a couple of choices you can opt for. Cold, steely tones and blacks are a popular choice for achieving that sought-after gritty aesthetic that the trend embodies. Get the look with brushed or stainless steel fittings, silver and pewter details or embrace the dark side with all-over black designs like this Oaks Lighting Mattis Urban 3 Light Ceiling Spot Fitting In Black Finish.

Brass, Copper and Bronze

Alternatively, you can opt for warmer metal tones with your industrial lighting. Keep an eye out for brass, copper and bronze finish lighting that all provide a slightly cosier, vintage-meets-modern aesthetic. Warmer tones like these can work really well with this trend, as they are in keeping with the rustic look while creating a homely atmosphere. Try the look for yourself with this Oaks Lighting Sten Single Light Ceiling Pendant In Copper Finish.

Tip: To make thing easier for you, here at Castlegate Lights, you can search by finish in each of our lighting sections to narrow down your search.

Industrial Lighting Key Characteristics

Ropes and Chains

In keeping with the very pared-back, functional aesthetic of industrial lighting, some common features that are often seen in this style include factory-esque ropes and hardware such as metal chains. These features work well with lighting styles such as pendant lights or low-hanging ceiling lights, like our Diyas Reyna Single Light Large Ceiling Pendant In Polished Chrome And Clear Glass Finish.

Caging and Exposed Bulbs

Another typical feature of industrial lighting you can try is opting for cage-style lampshades and exposed bulbs. Whether used on ceiling lights, wall lights or table lamps, exposed bulbs and cage shades are an increasingly popular option. We love our Dar Lighting Tower Single Light Table Lamp In Satin Painted Black Finish With Copper Detailing for a simple and stylish way to work industrial style lighting into your home.

Industrial Pendant Lights

The trick to the industrial look is to incorporate one or two key pieces into your interior scheme to avoid over-doing the warehouse aesthetic. Sometimes all you need to nail the look is one statement feature in the room and industrial pendant lights are one of the best options to do this.

An exposed-bulb, black finish statement piece like our Searchlight Lighting Squiggle 5 Light Ceiling Pendant in Black Finish is the epitome of the industrial trend. Hanging a design like this in your hallway, living room or kitchen immediately creates a stylish industrial look and gives you a great starting point to continue the trend with smaller accent pieces.

Ready to try the look for yourself? Explore a wide range of industrial style lighting designs to choose from here at Castlegate Lights

May 21, 2019
Home Lighting Ideas: The Do’s and Don’ts

If your home decor needs a refresh, one of the most effective things you can do is to consider your choice of lighting. When used well, the lighting in your home can make all the difference to the atmosphere and functionality of each room.

In need of some home lighting ideas? Here at Castlegate Lights, we’ve created a handy guide to the do’s and don’ts of lighting in all the key areas of the home.

First, let’s start off with some main do’s and don’ts to consider for every room:

DO:

Establish your aesthetic. Does your home decor have a vintage undertone, a modern look or a rustic feel? What colour, material and finish would work best with your interior scheme? It’s helpful to consider these factors before choosing your lighting, in order to narrow down your search and ensure your choice accentuates your desired look.

DO:

Decide on which style of light fitting and lighting type works for each room. Take into consideration elements such as floor space and ceiling height to assess how practical a lighting style will be.

DON’T:

Limit yourself to one type of lighting in each room. When it comes to home lighting ideas, we recommend using two or three different sources to create a warm ambience throughout your home.

DON’T:

Forget about adding dimmer switches. Dimmers are a great addition to any room to help you control your level of lighting and adjust it accordingly for each time of day.

Now let’s look at some specific home lighting ideas for key rooms of the home:

Lighting for Hallways

DO:

Use a mix of lighting in order to create an inviting atmosphere. Hallways are versatile spaces that can benefit from a variety of lighting types. Providing you have space, floor lamps and table lamps can work particularly well.

DON’T:

Be afraid to make a statement. If you have space, why not opt for a chandelier or large lampshade? Opting for a statement light fitting is a great way to add character and style to your home decor from the minute you walk through the door.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Home Decor/Interior Design (@lovefordesigns) on Apr 21, 2019 at 2:03pm PDT

Lighting for Kitchens

DO:

Use task lighting such as LED downlights above cupboards and worktops to efficiently illuminate every functional space that may otherwise not receive much light.

DON’T:

Neglect important areas such as kitchen islands and tables. Well-placed lighting makes all the difference in really utilising each room and creating a welcoming atmosphere; after all, the kitchen is the heart of the home.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Home Inspo Decor Interior (@your_interior_inspiration) on Mar 17, 2019 at 7:18am PDT

Lighting for Dining Rooms

DO:

Consider pendant lights or a classic chandelier to hang above your table. A statement light fitting is perfect for illuminating the room during meal times and doubles as a beautiful room feature.

DON’T:

Rule out colourful lighting choices. Opting for some coloured pendant lights that work with your interior scheme can help tie a room together and add the finishing touches to your home decor.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Home Inspo Decor Interior (@your_interior_inspiration) on Feb 24, 2019 at 9:31pm PST

Lighting for Living Rooms

DO:

Add a dimmer switch to your main ceiling light. The living room is one particular room in which a dimmer switch really comes in handy, enabling you to create the right ambience on relaxed evenings.

DON’T:

Rely solely on a ceiling light. When it comes to home lighting ideas for the living room, we recommend using a mix of light sources such as table lamps and floor lamps that can really help to create a cosy atmosphere.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Interior Design Ideas (@interiordesignideas) on Oct 16, 2018 at 10:28am PDT

Lighting for Bedrooms

DO:

Use a variety of lighting types in your bedroom. A bedside table lamp is a bedroom staple, while fairy lights and wall lights can serve as useful reading lights too.

DON’T:

Forget to consider bulb-wattage. While it can be tempting to opt for warm, low-watt bulbs in the bedroom, it’s important to find the right balance between too bright and too dingy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bedroom Goals! 🙌🏼 (@mybedroomgoals) on Mar 25, 2019 at 6:53am PDT

Lighting for Bathrooms

DO:

Think about which light fittings best suit your space. If your bathroom isn’t very large, recessed ceiling lights are a great space-saver and give your bathroom a contemporary and modern aesthetic.

DON’T:

Forget to consider mirror lights. If you use your bathroom mirror to get ready in the morning, mirror lights are a great option to consider that help you make the most of your bathroom.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bathrooms of Instagram (@bathrooms_of_insta) on Jan 5, 2019 at 8:05pm PST

Looking for the perfect lighting for your home decor? You can find a huge range of light fittings and lighting types for every room here at Castlegate Lights. Explore our full collection to find the perfect lighting ideas for your home!

May 3, 2019
Bedroom Inspo: Bedroom Lighting Ideas

When it comes to decorating a bedroom, choosing the right bedroom lights can play a huge part in helping you make the most of your space and create the perfect ambience. In need of some bedroom inspo? Whether you’re looking for bold lights that make an impact or subtle designs that transform your room into a zen haven, here at Castlegate Lights, we’ve picked out some bedroom lighting ideas for every room.

Bedside Table Lamps

Convenient, cosy and versatile, table lamps are one of the best bedroom lighting ideas to easily incorporate into your room. Placed on your nightstand or chest of drawers, the warm glow of a table lamp provides a cosier atmosphere than your main ceiling light and helps your bedroom feel like the inviting and relaxing space it should be. Bonus – you don’t need to leave the luxury of your bed to turn it off! From on-trend Scandi styles to vintage or modern designs, you can find a huge range of table lamps ideal for your bedroom here at Castlegate Lights.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bedroom Goals! 🙌🏼 (@mybedroomgoals) on Jul 21, 2018 at 2:02am PDT

Pendant Lights or Chandeliers

Looking for bedroom lighting ideas that add some character, drama and style to your room? Opting for some pretty pendant lights or a chandelier could be a perfect choice. Doubling as both a great source of light and a striking room feature, pendant lights and chandeliers hang low from the ceiling and can make a stunning alternative to traditional flush or semi-flush ceiling lights, providing you have space. Explore a huge range of both pendant lights and chandeliers here at Castlegate Lights to find beautiful bedroom lights that make a statement.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LNC HOME (@lnc_home) on Apr 1, 2019 at 11:46pm PDT

Wall Lights

Love settling down with a good book before you go to sleep? One or two wall lights placed above your bed could be the perfect bedroom lights for your room. Wall lights are a great option for letting you control your lighting from the comfort of your bed and utilise your unused wall space, rather than taking up room on your dresser or floor. Wall lights can also be used above mirrors, dressers and vanity tables to give you that extra bit of lighting you need when you’re getting ready in the morning. Explore all our wall spotlights here at Castlegate Lights to find the perfect styles for your bedroom.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bedroom Goals! 🙌🏼 (@mybedroomgoals) on Oct 1, 2018 at 12:51am PDT

Floor Lamps

Want to create cosy corners or illuminate areas that don’t get much light? A well-placed floor lamp can be the perfect solution. Whether placed by your bed or next to a comfy reading chair, floor lamps can provide a convenient source of light that emits a cosy glow. Another benefit of floor lamps is that you can easily reposition them: whether you change your room layout or buy a new piece of furniture, your floor lamp can be easily moved to wherever best suits your room. Discover the perfect floor lamps for your room with our huge range of styles here at Castlegate Lights.

Whatever your room’s size and style, you can find a huge range of bedroom lighting ideas to suit every interior aesthetic here at Castlegate Lights. Explore our full collection of bedroom lighting designs for more bedroom inspo!

May 3, 2019
Scandinavian Lighting: How to Get the Scandi Style

Looking for simple, chic and effortlessly stylish lighting for your home? The minimalist aesthetic of Scandinavian lighting could be the perfect choice. Characterised by clean lines, natural materials and stripped-back designs, Scandi style lighting finds the balance between modern and rustic to create stylish and inviting spaces throughout your interiors.

From Scandi table lamps to ceiling lights and wall lights, here at Castlegate Lights we have a wide range of Scandinavian lighting designs for you to explore. We’ve picked out some of our favourites to show you how you can incorporate the Scandi style into your home.

Scandi Ceiling Lights

First up, let’s look at ceiling lights. With its simple white finish and wooden detailing, our AZzardo Duncan Single Light Ceiling Pendant in White Finish with Wood Detail perfectly encapsulates the Scandi style. Wood is often used throughout Scandi designs to create the natural and pared-back aesthetic the style is defined by, so choosing a lighting design with wooden detailing is one easy way to achieve the look.

Another great example of classic Scandi design is our AZzardo Jim Single Light Ceiling Pendant in White and Copper Finish. The classic white dome is simple-yet-stylish in true Scandi style, while the copper tone gives the design a rustic warmth.

Looking for something for your garden? With its chain detailing and exposed bulb design, our Elstead Lighting Klampenborg Outdoor Stainless Steel Single Light Ceiling Pendant in Matt Black Finish is the perfect example of how the stripped-back Scandi style can work perfectly throughout both the interior and exteriors of your home.

Scandi Table Lamps

Using Scandi table lamps throughout your home is another great way to subtly incorporate the aesthetic throughout every room. You’ll often find bare bulb designs in Scandinavian lighting, as their stripped-back look epitomises the simplicity of Scandi style. Designs like our Endon Collection Otto Single Light Table Lamp Base in White & Grey Marble Finish are ideal for achieving the minimalist aesthetic while creating an inviting glow in living areas of your home.

As the Scandi style is also characterised by muted colours and natural shades, simple designs like our Dar Lighting Effie Single Light Table Lamp In Grey And White Finish are also a great choice when it comes to choosing a Scandi table lamp.

Scandi Wall Lights

Lastly, why not try Scandi style wall lighting? With it’s simple black casing and wooden detailing, minimalist designs like our Mantra Nordica Single Light Wall Lamp in Black and Wood Finish are an easy way to carry the aesthetic throughout your home. To bring more natural materials and wooden detailing to your interior scheme, try designs like our Mantra Nordica II Single Light Extendable Wall Lamp in White Metal and Wood Finish. With its white, translucent shade and beautiful wooden finish, this Nordic-inspired design is perfect for softly illuminating your home while offering classic Scandi style.

Whether it’s Scandi table lamps, ceiling lights or wall lighting designs you choose for your home, the trendy and minimalist Scandi aesthetic is unrivalled when it comes to simplicity and style. Inspired? Explore our full Scandinavian lighting collection now to get the look for your home.

March 12, 2019
Home Office Lighting Ideas: Our Top Picks for Transforming Your Workspace

Workspace leaving you feeling uninspired? Creating the right working environment is vital when it comes to motivation and success and finding the right home office lighting is a big part of this. Ensuring your room is well lit and bright can make a huge difference to your productivity and mood, helping your office feel like somewhere you want to spend time in, rather than avoid! Here at Castlegate Lights, we’ve listed our top picks for how you can transform your workspace with some simple home office lighting ideas

1. Make Use of Natural Lighting

First things first; when it comes to office lighting, utilising the natural light in your room is one of the best ways to brighten up your space. Whether it means swapping dark curtains for light ones that don’t obstruct the sunlight getting through, or a reshuffle of your office furniture to move your desk near the window, making the most of your natural light is the first step for effective home office lighting. Another benefit of working out the naturally lit areas of your room is that you can also identify the dark and dingy areas that may need the help of office lamps or additional office lighting

2. Choose Light and Bright Ceiling Lighting

AZzardo ‘Tessio 30’ Single Light Ceiling Pendant in White Finish with Leather Detail

Next on our list when it comes to home office lighting ideas is to make sure your ceiling lighting is doing the job, as this is probably the best single source of light to ensure your room is well lit. There are lots of ceiling light designs that work well as home office lighting, from traditional light fixtures to pendant lights. Pendant lights are a particularly good choice for an office space, as their low-hanging designs offer a great source of illumination over a desk while creating a stylish and contemporary aesthetic. Another thing to consider is the type of bulb and wattage you use in your ceiling lights, as a bright bulb can help transform and lighten your room. LED lighting is a great choice for this and energy saving too!

3. Use Office Lamps

Dar Lighting Effie Single Light Table Lamp in Blue and White Finish

An obvious choice when it comes to home office lighting ideas is a classic desk lamp. Office lamps are a great way to light up your desk and general workspace, allowing you to properly illuminate your work and avoid eye-strain when you’re burning the midnight oil. Having a couple of office lamps in your workspace or even just one on your desk will make a big difference to brightening up your room. Office lamps also provide a way for you to add a bit of personality and decorative aspect to your workspace, offering an opportunity to accessorise your desk and office. You can find a range of desk lights and office lamps to explore here at Castlegate Lights that work perfectly as both home office lighting and stylish room features

4. Save Space with Wall Lights and Clip Lights

Dar Lighting Osaka Single Light Switched Clip On Spotlight in White Finish

Short of space in your office? A great tip when it comes to home office lighting ideas for smaller rooms is to make use of your wall space. Wall lights are a simple solution that allow you to work with the space you have and don’t take up room on your desk or floor. There are lots of wall light options you can opt for that make a great addition to your office, whether that’s a classic wall fixture, an overhanging design or a handy clip light you can place wherever you need it near your desk. Explore a wide range of wall lights here at Castlegate Lights, where you can find all our useful space-saving designs that make for the perfect home office lighting.

5.Use Your Lights to Add Pops of Colour

Eglo Vintage Vintage Single Light Table Lamp In Pine Green And Brass Finish

Our last tip for transforming your workspace is to use your home office lighting to accessorise your room and develop your interior aesthetic. As we touched on with office lamps, your lighting choice can be a great opportunity to not only illuminate your space, but add character and colour accents too! Whether you add a pop of colour with bright desk lamps, lamp shades or your light fixtures, you can really transform a room and take it from drab and boring to somewhere that inspires and energizes. You can find colourful lighting designs throughout all our collections here at Castlegate Lights, with bold colours, soft pastels and stylish finishes to effortlessly elevate your office space.

Whichever one of our home office lighting ideas you opt for, your office and workspace will feel lighter and brighter in no time! By utilising natural light, choosing some effective ceiling, wall and office lamps for your space and adding stylish colour accents, you can easily transform your office into one of your favourite rooms of the house.

February 15, 2019
What Types Of Light To Use In The Dining Room

The kitchen is often described as the heart of the home. If that’s true, then the dining room must be the brain. It’s the place where the family can come together to discuss the events of the day, talk about their successes, their problems, share jokes, plan new memories and enjoy each other’s company, even for just an hour or so as a cohesive unit over a delicious meal.

Home design tackles the dining room in numerous ways; whether that’s through a kitchen-diner, a lounge-diner or as a separate room in its own right. Whichever you have, how you light the room is going to go a long way to create a space that brings family and friends together, but can also look fantastic when it’s empty.

For most people, dining room lighting starts with a beautiful pendant hanging elegantly above the table. We have pendants from, amongst others, manufacturers like Endon or Elstead Lighting that all cover a multitude of styles, but would all look amazing. When choosing a pendant, it’s important to bear in mind a number of factors you might not consider when choosing the right light for your home.

First thing to look at when choosing your fitting is the height of your ceiling, especially where it’s going to hang. A higher ceiling usually lends itself better to larger light fixtures. These aren’t just the preserve of older homes, many new builds now have ceilings that measure 9 feet from the floor. Of course, there are no set rules about this, so it’s very much down to personal taste, but there are some things you can consider.

When it comes to the table, most pendant lighting tends to hang between 28” – 32” (71cm – 81cm) above the table top in homes with a more common 8ft ceiling. Again, this isn’t written in stone, but you also need to consider how tall your family is. You don’t want to be banging your head when laying or clearing the table.

When choosing a fitting, it’s important that the fixture complements, rather than overpowers, your table. Many customers choose a light fitting that echoes the shape of the dining room table, whether that’s square, round or oval. This brings a sense of harmony, but it also looks great when it contradicts, so don’t be afraid to play around with shapes. This can be done with the fitting itself, but also the shades around the bulbs.

Of course, there is more to dining room lighting than hanging pendants. Dining room lighting is as diverse as you are. Whether you want to go for spot lights, recessed lighting or even the contemporary string lighting that covers walls, surrounds picture frames or illuminated under glass tables, we have just what you’re looking for.

Another important aspect to consider when it comes to illuminating your dining room, is the light fitting. Most people are used to the standard on / off switch, but adding dimmable lights can mean you can utilise the dining room for so many more occasions. If you like to add a drum shade, then it adds a calming sense to the room, which can be further enhanced with a dimmer switch. If you want to work at the table or let the kids do their homework, then it can be cranked up to illuminate the whole room and paired down when you’re looking to have that romantic meal with your loved one.

The right lighting in a dining room, in fact in any room, can bring it alive. It can change the mood, change the look, change the atmosphere and obviously change the light. For all the changes it can bring, it can also do one thing that should remain the same; bring people together.

September 28, 2017