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The basic rules of home lighting are untouched by time or trends: you will always need task lighting for things like cooking and reading; ambient lighting for overall illumination; and accent lighting to pick out features such as artworks. But a runway of downlights or a single bulb in the bedroom is no longer enough for a considered and stylish lighting scheme, says Bunnings trend and design manager Jane Wright. “Lighting is so much more than a functional light source. It helps to tell the story of your interior design,” she says.
This is also true outdoors, where lighting has the potential to make your garden as inviting after dark as it is during the day. Georgia Liversage at Holman says, “Depending on the style, size and requirements of your outdoor space, lighting designs can range from simple to spectacular.”
Here, we’re bringing you the latest on-trend styles and interior design ideas for beautiful lighting in and around your home.
When planning your home’s interior lighting scheme, minimise the number of downlights, says Jane: “Instead, layer lighting using pendants, floor and table lamps, wall sconces and recessed LEDs.”
Table and floor lamps that cast a directional glow can double as task and accent lighting, while ceiling pendants that shine downwards can work as task lights and an overall light source. Look for scale with your pendants to create intimate lighting scapes, as well as important task lighting.
Wall lights are also multi-taskers. They can create focal points as bedside lights or highlighting artworks or mirrors, and bring a sense of welcome to hallways.
Eye-catching designs provide the ultimate style statement when considering lighting for your home. Lamps are trending, in organic shapes and ceramic finishes with a mid-century vibe. In pendants, brass and glass lift decor and work well in modern and classic homes, while timber, rattan and fabric pendants are ever popular for coastal and Scandi themes.
Many indoor lighting ranges work in style ‘families’, so you can link your entry hall feature pendant to your multi-light living room pendant. Coordinate by using the same materials – such as all rattan, or all brass and black.
Beyond aesthetics, Jane forecasts an increased focus on integrated lighting effects. “Integrated accents of lighting are evolving within furniture and decor,” she says. “Lit-up vases, mirrors, shelves, planters and bookends deliver warmth.” Strip lights running along shelving or around the base of a kitchen island can bring the vibe. For renters, D.I.Y. pendants can be fitted into an existing batten-fix socket, and some plug-in wall lights just require mounting.
Home automation is getting smarter, allowing users to control the intensity and colour of their lighting through mobile apps or voice command. Smart tech also lets you control lights remotely or create and save customised lighting ‘scenes’. The Arlec Home Automation team suggests setting up a ‘cooking’ scene that provides bright, task-oriented lighting in the kitchen; when cooking is finished, the lights can easily be dimmed using voice control.
Other benefits of installing smart technology in your home include scheduling lights to turn on or off at specific times or monitoring your energy usage. “Smart lighting can be easily integrated with other non-smart devices in your home, while some systems have adaptive features that adjust the colour and intensity of light to mimic natural daylight patterns,” suggests the Arlec team.
Garden lighting ‘rules’ are similar to those indoors, insofar as you need decent lighting for tasks outside like barbecuing and safe navigation around the garden – consider spotlights for over the barbecue and slimline bollards to light pathways and changes of level. Overall illumination is good for outdoor entertaining zones, while accent lighting lets you pick out focal elements in your backyard such as feature trees.
Georgia suggests sketching an outdoor lighting plan as a starting point. “Build your plan around features you want to accentuate, creating viewing points,” she says. “Light key areas, not empty spaces, and consider the power of contrast.” Think about home security, too – motion sensor floodlights are a good solution for this.
Outdoor lighting is taking cues from contemporary indoor fixtures in both style and use to create an inviting, cohesive scheme. Think modern strip lighting under steps or feature wall lights casting a soft wash of illumination over a textured surface. Increasingly, colourful twinkly lights are no longer just for Christmas, but the ideal option to string above your outdoor dining table, bringing a fun focal point to an alfresco entertaining zone. Arrange solar-powered lanterns around the space to add ambience and a decor hit as well as a soft glow.
In the garden, colour-changing spots can cast an other-wordly glow over feature trees or shrubs. “Bring a modern look to your outdoor space with an abundance of colour,” suggests Georgia. “RGB lighting is great for achieving cooler colour tones, and to showcase the natural beauty of plants.”
Of particular importance outdoors is the strength and tone of the lighting. “For clearest visibility for architectural elements, choose warm-white lighting,” says Georgia. “Try warmer colour temperatures of around 2500K-3000K to highlight structures, and install warm-white deck lights to create ambience for patio areas.”
Technology is blossoming in garden lighting, too. “You can have complete control of your outdoor lights from anywhere in the world with a smart controller, as long as you have a wi-fi connection,” says Georgia. “Use the app to set smart automations, such as engaging the lights to turn on when the sun is setting, and turn off when it rises.”
Discover the power of lighting for a stylish, beautiful and functional space.
Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Photo Credit: James Moffatt, Lisa Cohen/Dulux, Getty Images
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
