Are you a big light person, or a lamp person? Your answer is more important than you might think, if the realms of social media are anything to go by. Those who prefer the light of a lamp are infinitely preferable to those who swear by the big (or main) light. Whichever side you fall on, there’s no doubt that lighting can make or break a space.
It also signals different things to our bodies and minds. While in most corporate offices, strip lighting is the norm, in cocktail bars, you’ll typically find dim, sultry lighting—the former keeps us alert and working, while the latter ushers in a sense of relaxation and a nighttime vibe. At home, sleep experts tell us to switch off bright lighting an hour or two before bed, to signal to the brain that it’s time for sleep, while in the morning, bright lights can be used to wake us up and get the day in motion.
Cora Sheibani’s office overlooking the garden, with Bill Amberg leather-covered bookcases and Murano glass lamps by Paola Petrobelli.Photographed by François Halard, Vogue, November 2017
So, it matters. It also matters for the aesthetic of your space, and how you feel within it, which is particularly key when you’re spending a lot of time there. “Lighting is the most important thing—it really unlocks the atmosphere of a place,” says interior designer Nicola Harding, who adds that it’s also a great way to change the mood of a room.
So, if you’re in need of some tricks of the trade, or simply things to be aware of as you tackle a renovation or renew one of your rooms, here we speak to two experts to learn how to nail the lighting in every room.
Get planning…
Artwork by Nicolas Party.Photographed by Paul Wetherell, Vogue, February 2019