In the last decade, rechargeable lights have evolved into energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-saving solutions. They consume minimal electricity, can be recharged multiple times, and provide flexibility for modern living. This stylish lighting option is not only beneficial for the environment but also for your finances. It’s a fashionable and safe choice for any home, particularly for families with kids or teens who frequently forget to turn off the lights!

 

HOW IT WORKS?

Rechargeable lights operate by storing energy in built-in batteries, typically lithium-ion. These batteries are charged through USB ports, solar panels, or other power sources. Once charged, the stored energy powers the light, enabling it to function without being connected to an electrical outlet.

 

BENEFITS OF RECHARGEABLE LIGHTING

Portable: Forget the annoying cables—our rechargeable table lamps are portable and perfect for any setting. Enjoy soft lighting during a relaxing bath, a cosy reading corner, a romantic dinner, or to highlight prized items on your shelf. The possibilities are endless!

@our_so_journey

Energy efficient: Low energy consumption.

Cost savings: Our rechargeable wall lights fully charge in just 4 hours with the included USB cable, providing warm light for 10–12 hours. With easy installation and no need for an electrician, it’s a win all around!

Versatile: Available in various styles, from table lamps, wall lights to outdoor lanterns, suitable for different needs.

Sustainability: Promotes a greener lifestyle by minimizing waste and conserving resources.

BONUS BENEFIT: Emergency preparedness: provides reliable illumination during power outages.

 

WHERE TO USE RECHARGEABLE LIGHTS?

Rechargeable lights aren’t competing with the “big light” they are here to compliment the main light and create ambiance for different occasions.

Home: Get creative and think outside the box by incorporating them in cosy reading nooks, create a spa experience in your bathroom for a relaxing “me” time, highlight your art/ precious moment, etc.

Outdoor activities: Make your picnics stand out by bringing the light to see all the delicious foods you made. Perfect for elevating your camping to glamping, or simply use them in your garden to avoid expensive outdoor lighting.

*available in different colours

Work and study: The ideal solution for task lighting, it allows you to move around home to study/ work.

 

INNOVATIVE FEATURES AND HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LIGHT

Most of the lights now are stylish and offer adjustable brightness, colour temperature settings, and smart controls via apps or voice commands.

When buying a rechargeable light pay attention to material, battery life, brightness, size, and intended use.

 

All in all, rechargeable lights give you the freedom to make greener choices when it comes to lighting your home, and you don’t have to compromise on style and beauty. So, what are you waiting for, join the clean energy revolution – lighting couldn’t be any simpler!

 

As we move towards autumn and energy prices remain high, we know customers are looking for ways to make savings on their utility bills. With that in mind, we thought we’d share our top six ways to save energy on lighting.

 

1. Save up to 90% electricity by making the switch to LED bulbs throughout your home. There are LED light bulbs available for the majority of light fixtures today, including decorative filament styles that enhance the look of your light fitting. Making savings and improving an already great light? Win-win.

 

 

2. Replace light fittings with those with integrated LEDs. With so many designers incorporating them into new LED lighting styles, and many styles having an expected life span of over 20 years, you’ll be saving energy for years to come, as well as getting a great look.

 

 

3. Pick solar powered garden lights which allow you to light up your garden without any power at all. Our range of solar garden lights is extensive, and even include security lighting.

 

 

4. Choose rechargeable battery powered lights – either for garden lights, or picture lights to save on buying expensive disposable batteries.

 

 

5. Find lights with sensors so they are only on when you need them. Look for passive infrared (PIR) sensors, motion detectors, and dusk to dawn sensors when you’re buying new lighting. Check out our security lights section to view all outdoor sensor lights.

 

 

6.  Make use of technology. Smart homes present opportunities to make savings on your energy usage. Smart bulbs, smart plugs, and smart speakers all connect to Wi-Fi networks and allow you to set up your lights to be on or off wherever you are through manufacturer apps. If you’re not a lover of smart technology, then look for plug-in timers that will help you reduce the amount of electricity your lights use.

 

If you’ve made the switch and are sharing your findings on Instagram, don’t forget to tag us @lighting_direct.

After a long winter, these first few spring-like days have got us all dreaming about the glorious days of summer – and how fantastic it will be when we’re able to spend all that time in the garden. Although the days are getting longer as we write this post, the longest day is actually in June – which means there are likely to be plenty of nights that we need garden lighting if we’re to make the most of our outdoor space.

 

The right type of garden lighting for you will depend on the size of your space, the access that you have to electricity, the safety of the area that you live, and your personal preference. There is a lot to consider when you’re choosing garden lighting, but in this post, we’ll guide you through the options available, so that you can make the best decision.

 

 

What Types Of Garden Lighting Are There?

You’ve probably already got security lighting in place to help you and your family access your home safely – most of us do. That is one type of outdoor lighting, but there’s a big difference between a functional floodlight or porch lights by the entry to your home, and some stylish garden lights that add ambience to your garden throughout those balmy spring and summer evenings.

 

In your garden, just as in your home, you’ll need to think about the function of each type of lighting, and make sure that you have enough of each in the space. There is some crossover in the categories, so don’t get too worried about having enough of each type – just be certain your garden lighting looks great and works well enough for your needs.

 

Ambient lights provide a lot of light – perhaps not quite as much as daylight, but certainly enough to see family and friends with. These will include lanterns, lamp posts, wall lights, as well as festoons and fairy lights, depending on how they are used. Task lighting is used for a specific purpose – so this might be in an outdoor kitchen or above a patio dining area, or to light up paths. Wall lights, festoons, stake lights, in-ground lighting, and outdoor pendants are all useful for task lighting in the garden. Accent lighting is the fun bit in gardens – since it can be used to highlight certain elements of the space. Festoons and fairy lights, stake floodlights, and in-ground lights are all perfect to accentuate areas of the garden that we adore and want to draw attention to during the evenings.

 

Festoon Lights And Fairy Lights

Summer parties that linger on into the evening need lighting up – and what better way to create a festive, carnival atmosphere than strings of fairy lights, or festoons? You might prefer all-white lights, or you might want the celebratory feel that strings of coloured lights bring. Maybe, you want to add both! Whatever type of string light you want for your garden, there are loads of different options to choose from.

Many types of string lights are now made with LEDs – and as we’ve already mentioned, they don’t require a lot of power to emit bright light. That means you can make the most of solar powered string lights – wherever, and however you want to install them.

This filament battery operated chandelier looks gorgeous under parasols, but there is a huge array of festoons available – whether you choose these heavy duty ones, or these multicoloured solar LED festoon lights.

 

 

When it comes to fairy lights, there are even more options available to you. Of course, there’s nothing to stop you making use of the fairy lights from Christmas, but there are even more summery styles that can light up your garden during the warmer months. We love these white curtain string lights, that look beautiful on the edge of a pergola, or to help mark out a space.

To really draw attention to different trees and bushes, fairy lights on a net can be used for even more drama – this battery operated option works well – or you can find purely decorative styles, such as LED fairy lights.

 

 

Stake Lights

When you’re lighting the way to your patio, fire pit area, or simply want to cast a bit more light on your garden path, stake lights are one of the options you’ll almost certainly be looking at. The best thing about stake lights is how easy they are to install. They simply push into the ground, and although there are some models that need to be plugged in, many are solar powered, so once you’ve placed them where you want them, you simply have to wait for the sun to charge the battery for them to start lighting up at dusk.

Stake lights can be used for decoration as well as practical lighting – this industrial lantern is a good option for areas that you want to light up without the need for installing wiring, as it uses solar powered LEDs. Another perfect addition is these industrial lanterns that are solar powered and can be placed anywhere in the sunshine, to provide up to six hours of light.

If you’ve got a certain area of your garden that you want to cast light on – a particular tree, or maybe a water feature – then a stake spotlight is a great option. Typically these have quite a modern look to them – such as this Edit Porto Garden Spotlight – but you can find styles with different metals, and rustic styles such as this rust brown model that would look perfectly at home in a cottage style garden.

 

 

In-Ground Lights

If you’re looking to permanently light up pathways, edges of patios, decks, and driveways, you’ll almost certainly be looking at deck and ground lights. They’re a great way to help prevent slips, trips, and falls, but once they are installed they also look incredibly pretty – and can add to the atmosphere in your summer garden, even though they’re designed to be functional in nature.

The majority of in-ground lights make use of LEDs, so they provide a lot of brightness without needing a huge amount of power. There’s a lot of options when it comes to in-ground lights, and some also have pretty finishes, like this puddle ground light.

While there are many types of in-ground lights that need to be installed properly, if you don’t fancy sorting out the wiring, you still have options. These ground lights are solar powered, and have a small stake to keep them in place – and they’re available in a convenient pack of four.

 

 

Table Lamps

Whether you’re dining al fresco during summer evenings, or you’re on the veranda with a great book and a drink, a little extra light on the table is always helpful, and can create a fun ambience too. Our Lucide Little Joe Outdoor Lamp is dimmable and has rechargeable batteries, while the Tiber Battery Operated Outdoor Table Lamp in White is also rechargeable, and is a sophisticated choice for conservatories.

The great thing about these types of table lamps is how flexible they can be – they might be used in the conservatory most of the year, but then on particular nights of the year, they can be safely brought outside for use during garden parties or outdoor dinners.

 

 

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights, in the garden? It doesn’t sound like a logical pairing, but if you have a covered veranda, a pergola, a conservatory, or even a temporary gazebo, then an outdoor pendant light should definitely be on your list of garden lighting to consider. Garden pendant lights are ideal above outdoor dining areas and seating areas, and can provide large amounts of ambient light for dinners and drinks.

As with ceiling pendants for indoor spaces, there are loads of different styles to choose from – from traditional lantern styles to modern outdoor chandeliers. We particularly love how some of the outdoor pendants are made from rattan, giving a real holiday vibe that, alongside a few coloured fairy lights, creates the perfect atmosphere for a few summer cocktails. This Spiral style, and this Filament style are both ideal for summer parties, and are battery operated.

 

 

Lanterns And Lamp Posts

If there is a more classic garden lighting option than a great lamp post, or wall lamp, we haven’t heard about it yet – and we’re experts! Lamp posts are great for casting light over a wider area, while wall lanterns are perfect for lighting certain areas around the sides of the house. Although wall lanterns and lamp posts generally are traditionally styled options, there are modern designs to be found too – so be certain to check out the options available in our range.

 

How Can I Power My Garden Lighting?

Getting your garden lit up involves electricity – until technology evolves, there are no two ways around that. But although mains power is one option, it isn’t the only one, and both solar and battery powered garden lights are realistic options now, since LEDs don’t require a lot of power to create a really bright light. There are advantages to each type of garden lighting, and there are loads of factors that may influence your decision about the right type of power for your garden lights.

 

Mains Powered Garden Lights

For lighting that is to be installed permanently, connecting to mains power is the most reliable method of powering your garden lights. The advantage to using mains power is that as long as you have power to your home, you’ll be able to power the lights in your garden. It is a dependable, safe way of powering the lights in your garden, and is ideal for larger lights such as lamp posts, and for security lighting.

 

Connecting garden lights to mains electricity isn’t always possible, especially in areas that are far from the house, or where the property is rented and permanent changes aren’t permitted. In those scenarios, solar lights and battery powered garden lights are preferable.

 

12v Garden Lights

If you have an outside plug socket, then 12v garden lights are an incredibly simple way to light your outdoor space. Simply place them where you want them, then plug them into your outdoor socket, and switch them on. You don’t need to bury any cables, and they are easy to move too.

Easyfit garden lights are exactly as they sound – easy to fit! There are loads of extra lights that can be added to the circuit without requiring an electrician, so you can get a bespoke look for your garden, at relatively low cost, and without any hassle. Whether you buy a kit, or each component separately, they’re simple to get started with. Consider bamboo style garden posts, golf ball festoons, or garden spotlights – they’re all perfect additions to your garden.

 

Solar Garden Lights

Solar powered garden lighting technology has come on a long way in previous years, and today solar garden lights are a great way to get light into your garden if you don’t have access to mains electricity, or don’t want to add to your electricity bills.

 

Most types of garden lights are now available with solar power, meaning that you don’t have to compromise on function or form if you want a certain style. The main thing you need to remember is that unless the solar panel gets enough sun during the day, you won’t get the brightness that you’re looking for. If you’re aiming to light up an area that is in the shade for most of the day, then consider battery powered garden lights instead – a USB rechargeable model is likely to be more dependable in those areas.

 

 

Battery Powered Garden Lights

When you need some light in your garden but don’t want to install a light permanently – such as on patios and outdoor dining areas – then battery power is the way to go. If you’re already thinking twice about buying a battery powered garden light because of the need to have multiple packs of AA batteries on hand, you might not need to worry about that as much as you might think. Of course, you have the option of buying rechargeable batteries for your garden lighting, but many battery powered garden lights are now USB rechargeable – so all you need is the cable that is supplied with most models, and are often interchangeable.

 

Which Type Of Garden Lighting Is Right For My Garden?

There are way too many options to consider for us to give a one-size fits all answer, but as we mentioned at the start of this post, the first thing to consider is whether you want to tie yourself to just one type of garden lighting. As with indoor lights, when you’re dressing your garden for the spring and summer, layering your lighting will mean that you can get the right effect for whatever type of event is happening in your space.

 

Secondly, you’ll need to decide which type of power is best for you to make use of. If you’re in a home that isn’t yours forever (perhaps you’re renting, or have a five year plan!) then solar or battery powered might be a better option – but if you’re able to install permanently, mains power could be for you.

 

Garden Lighting And Safety

 

It might go without saying, but when you’re lighting up your garden, you can’t just bring indoor lighting outside and hope for the best. The weather during the great British summer is generally not as dependable as we’d like it to be, and there’s always a chance of an unexpected rain shower, or windy period, and if indoor lighting gets wet, there’s the risk of shock – or that it will simply be ruined.

 

With that in mind, be certain to look for lighting that is designed specifically for use outdoors, with a safety rating of IP44 and above, to keep you and your family safe, and so that your garden lighting can be used for years to come without any risk.

 

If you’re installing pond lighting, to create even more ambience around your water feature, you’ll need to be looking at either IP64 or IP68, which can be submerged.

 

Our Final Thoughts

Lazy evenings with sunset drinks that turn into a summer night party need the right type of lighting – and when there are so many options to choose from, there’s really no reason to keep those parties going. Whatever type of lighting that is right for your space, you’ll find a huge selection for all requirements and budgets in our range, and of course, if the garden lighting you choose doesn’t suit your needs perfectly, our returns policy means that we can help you get the right model for you.

 

When you’ve got your garden all set up for summer, don’t forget to share your photos on Instagram, and tag us @lighting_direct – we love to see your purchases in their new homes!

As most of us know, the Great British Summer is an unpredictable beast. Cloudy days and rainy nights are to be expected – but that doesn’t stop us from wanting to make the most of our gardens during the warmer months! Whether they are tiny balconies or small courtyard gardens, or you’re lucky enough to have an extended amount of space with patios and lawns, most of us relish the thought of getting out into our gardens for lazy summer days and dreamy summer nights.

As we write this post, we hope the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is over in the UK, but it is still weighing heavily on our lives. There are still many restrictions in place, particularly when it comes to travel – and even for the countries that it is permitted, a significant percentage of the population are reluctant to travel as yet. While we’re lucky that things are getting better, many of us are looking to make the best of what we have while we’re staycationing – and so it makes sense that many of the garden trends for this summer are in response to this desire.

 

 

Escapism is key

Dealing with the constant challenges of lockdowns, paired with travel restrictions has us dreaming of escapes worldwide, and that is feeding garden trends right now. Whether you’re marking the days on the calendar until the staycation that you have got booked in the UK, or you’re dreaming of the day that you walk down the (aeroplane) aisle and jet off to foreign lands, you can use that wanderlust to inspire your garden design.

 

English country garden

Your garden might be in the suburbs, or even in the heart of the town, but that doesn’t mean you can’t walk out your back door and imagine you’re in the Cotswolds. Creating a country garden feel in your outdoor space means that you can dream of being in your own little cottage while you’re out there. Partly inspired by the ‘cottagecore’ interior design movement (sometimes known as farmcore and countrycore), there is little wonder that this trend is being applied liberally to gardens too.

There are so many ways that you might apply this trend to your garden, but we imagine gardens like this to include plenty of traditionally English plants, from climbing roses and honeysuckle, and lots of wildflowers, as we mentioned before. Furniture is likely to be more traditional in style too, so seek out wrought iron table and chairs – maybe given a pretty make-over in a pastel shade of pink or blue, rather than in black or white. If iron furniture isn’t your thing, find mismatched wooden furniture that is finished with the same treatment to unite the look.

 

 

When you’re creating your rustic cottage-style garden, your lighting needs to be traditional – and it doesn’t get more traditional than lanterns and lamp posts. Our recommendations for this look? This Edit Traditional Lamp Post, which is inspired by Victorian street lighting. Simply add a warm white decorative filament bulb to set the look off perfectly.

If your garden is a little smaller, you can create a similar effect with wall lanterns or pedestals. This Edit Coastal Sennen Outdoor Lantern has a PIR sensor, so will only be switched on when it senses movement after dark. For something a little more intricate, this Lucide Tireno Outdoor Pedestal Light is the perfect option, and can be fitted where you need it.

 

Seaside vibes

Who doesn’t love a seaside break in the UK? Well, maybe some, but creating a seaside effect in your garden is absolutely on trend for 2021. Maybe it is the desire to get back to normality, with day trips to the beach, but creating a garden that takes inspiration from the British seaside is absolutely on trend right now. Find traditional stripey deck chairs, add beachy stones, jute rope, and use grassy plants to achieve this look. Bonus points if you can turn your shed into a tasteful beach hut.

Coloured festoon lighting is absolutely perfect to complete this look – these Suri Solar Multicolour LED filament festoons are not just reminiscent of fun fairs in the best possible way, but they’re also solar powered, meaning you can hang them absolutely anywhere that the solar panel will be in the sun during the day.

 

 

Mediterranean space

If you’d normally be on a plane somewhere sunny in the Med around this time of the year, then take inspiration from your favourite destination for your garden. Add olive trees to patios, find furniture made from bleached woods, and add an outdoor pizza oven and strings of festoons to really amp up the Italian vibe.

Should you prefer the north African coast to inspire your garden, this Jumbo Damasque Outdoor Solar LED Lantern casts shadows that feel perfectly Moroccan.

 

Zen gardens

When you’re done with work, you need a place to retreat for rest and relaxation. Japanese style zen gardens are currently trending, with lots of greenery, stone, and water features. When looking for furniture for this type of garden, look for teak and other darker woods, or if that is out of your price.

If you’re looking for lighting for a more zen space, then look for simple designs, to allow the beauty of the garden to speak for itself. This Elstead York Pendant Porch Lantern would look wonderful in the middle of a simple pergola, and this Dar Arham LED Wall Light is beautifully simple, with opal panes that are reminiscent of traditional Japanese style interiors.

For something a little more decorative, this Elstead Kolne Outdoor Lantern has just a hint of Japanese styling to it, without being too obvious.

 

Using garden space

Since the pandemic started, we’ve needed every square inch of our homes to work for us even harder – particularly where there a lot of people in a small home – and in many cases, we’ve been using our gardens as extensions of our homes. Pre-COVID, we might have used our gardens in such a way, but since last year there has definitely been more of us using our outdoor space more creatively, allowing us to access just a bit more space.

 

Zoning

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden that is big enough to be divided up into different areas, then you might already be on the case with this trend. Zoning has been popular with garden designers for a while now, to clearly show how different areas of the garden are to be used. Tall plants, bushes and even outdoor rugs are popular ways to separate sections and create privacy, but our favourite way – particularly through the evening – is to use lighting.

Fairy light curtains like these Edit ones can create a whimsical backdrop to a romantic dinner, while stake lights or ground lights can be used to mark out the edges of decking, or along paths.

 

Office space

So many of us are still working from home as we write this post, and many big businesses have taken the decision to allow employees to decide where they want to work in the future – whether that is office-based, remote, or a hybrid arrangement. With permanent returns to offices looking less likely, many of us are looking to create office spaces in our gardens, allowing us to work without interruptions. Small cabins, summer houses and garden office pods are in huge demand this year, and we expect to see even more popping up as home working continues.

Once the office space has been installed and electricity has been connected, in most cases, the office space can be decorated as an indoor home office would be. You’ll be shopping for a desk, book cases, appropriate office lighting and desk lamps and heaters, so that your new garden office space can be used year round.

 

 

Cooking, dining and social space

Over the past few years, there has been a trend towards having cooking, dining and social space in your garden. Being able to go out for a quick drink, or for something to eat is much easier when the restaurant or bar is right outside your back door, and there is no need for taxis at the end of the evening! We love this trend, but at the same time, we don’t see a time when we won’t enjoy going out-out – whether that is to our local pub or to a great new restaurant. Nobody wants to have to do the dishes, after all! While the pandemic might have encouraged the trend, there is absolutely no doubt that there is a massive trend towards incorporating cooking and entertaining spaces in gardens throughout 2021 and beyond.

In bigger gardens, we’re seeing full outdoor kitchens that include barbecue grills, pizza ovens and sinks, while in smaller gardens just one of those elements are being installed, alongside al fresco dining areas and bar carts that allow for summer dinners to continue long into the evenings.

Outdoor cooking spaces need plenty of lighting, and we recommend strings of festoons for this purpose. That’s because they are flexible and can be arranged to provide optimum lighting where it is required, but they’re also pretty atmospheric, lending a celebratory, party atmosphere – which is just what you need when you have friends to visit!

Where dining spaces are arranged under pergolas and covers, there are some incredible lighting options. Festoons can be used of course, but we love outdoor pendant lights such as this Edit Vigo pendant porch lantern.

 

 

Versatile space

If you have children in your home then your garden is almost certainly their domain – whether they’re outside kicking a ball around, playing at camping or they have sand and water play in their space.

But your garden isn’t just for children – and if you’re in a small house, then your garden may become your workout space, or chillout space, as well as your social space and the playground. If you need your space to be flexible, then add storage in the way of a small shed, or using garden storage boxes will ensure you can do what you want, when you want, and keep your workout stuff, toys for afternoon play dates, as well as tables, chairs, and cushions.

To create a really great amount of soft, ambient lighting, we absolutely adore this Edit Cloud 800 Outdoor Ground Feature Light – we can see it being fantastic for a movie night with the children on a picnic rug, while entertaining friends, or to provide just a little more lighting while doing a full moon yoga flow.

 

Sustainability

Many of us have become much more aware of the need to make more sustainable choices over the past few years, and in 2021, that means our gardens too. Eliminating plastic, changing the way we treat the soil and being careful to switch lights off when they are no longer needed are all not just on trend, they’re going to be essential for the survival of the planet. Choosing sustainable isn’t a trend all on its own – the perfect situation is where we can work with trends and be sustainable at the same time.

 

Furniture made from natural materials

Plastic furniture was once the cheap and cheerful option, with loungers, tables and chairs all being easy to find, but as we all become much more aware of the need to act sustainably, they’re becoming much less cool. Designers are sourcing natural materials that are much more robust for both indoor and outdoor furniture. Recently, wicker and rattan are becoming popular for garden furniture, as well as the use of reclaimed woods, and metals that will last much, much longer.

When it comes to adding lighting to your garden, it is possible to find fixtures that are made from natural materials, although of course, wiring still needs to use plastic to keep it watertight. In order to keep the impact on the environment down, buy from quality lighting specialists. Buying high quality means that you’re less likely to encounter your choice of lighting failing on you after just a few months, and reduce the need for you to replace them – and means fewer items ending up in landfill.

If you’re looking for table lighting, then this Alfresco LED Outdoor Table Lamp  or Lucide Fjara Lantern are great options, both supplied with a USB rechargeable battery.

 

Wildlife supporting plants & wildflowers

With insects such as bees at risk, many of us are choosing to plant more wildflowers, and plants that are known to support animals in the local ecosystems. Some gardeners are completely ‘rewilding’ sections of their gardens, but if that is a little to unkempt, or you prefer a more curated look, add wildflower seed to raised beds. Not only are they great for supporting the environment, they’re also incredibly pretty, and this idea works perfectly with the ‘English country garden’ trend that is popular at the moment too.

 

 

Growing food and medicinal plants

With so many people choosing to become vegan over the last few years and prices of food rising, the desire to experience garden fresh food has grown dramatically. That’s a great thing too, since home grown fruit and vegetables beat supermarket produce hands down in terms of flavour, and in terms of satisfaction too.

Growing herbs and small plants like tomatoes has been a summer job for many of us for a long time – and the good news is that you don’t need a huge amount of space to grow your own. Even if you have wall planters, patio containers or just a windowsill, you’ll still be able to make the most of growing. Beans, peas, salad vegetables and herbs grow well in small spaces, while if you’re really pushed for space, you can look at growing in hanging baskets.

Taking the trend another step, there has been a move towards growing plants that can be used for medicinal purposes too. Camomile and lavender are both well renowned for being great as a sleep aid, while growing mint and ginger in sheltered, sunny spots means you’ll always have them available for tea to relieve digestive discomfort when you need them.

 

Careful use of lighting

When choosing lighting options, sustainability means looking for solar powered outdoor lighting where possible, but also ensuring that you minimise the effects of your lighting on local wildlife. Adding timers to your lighting, or making use of PIR lights that are triggered to come on when movement is detected means that your garden lighting doesn’t create excessive amounts of light pollution, and won’t interrupt insect life cycles.

 

Final thoughts

While these are the trends that designers are working with at the moment, the most important thing to remember is that trends are temporary, and so while you might follow a particular trend to the letter, if you don’t love it, you will end up changing it sooner than you might prefer. Never forget that, while having a home that is on trend is great, having one that you absolutely love, and that you are comfortable in, will always be in style.

 

 

When refreshing our homes, most of us want to create spaces that will feel modern for some time to come. Taking inspiration from interior design trends can ensure that our homes both reflect our personalities, and impress our guests when we are finally allowed to visit again post-lockdowns. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the design ideas and trends for 2021, and how to use lighting to complement those trends.

 

Cottagecore and country living

The ‘cottagecore’ trend emerged as a reaction to 2020 – the need to feel comforted at home, where it feels safe – is essential for our wellbeing. While there were a number of different takes on this trend, in many cases cottagecore meant using a range of chintzy fabrics, exposed beams and floorboards, and embroidery. Vintage items look great with this trend, but the look can be elevated (and to feel deliberate, rather than thrown together) by using gold accessories. When it comes to lighting, gold finishes are everywhere, and they can feel traditional, such as this Edgar floor lamp in antique gold or can feel less expected, like with this impressive Markslojd Soleil piece.

 

 

Glass pendants such as this Edit Tavern glass ceiling pendant light in chrome gives just the right amount of rustic, while still feeling modern in design.

 

Texture play

Using different materials to create both visual and textural effect is being used in homes extensively – particularly where there is a lot of flat, empty space. Vertical panelling, slats and wainscoting are all popular on walls to create interest, but the most impressive textural effects are created when they are layered. Using a range of different fabrics and materials creates depth and feels much more luxurious and warm. Choosing lighting to complement these layers of textures can be achieved with a range of different lighting solutions.

Metallic lighting can add a completely different feel, and while metals can feel unyielding, they can feel warm with tones such as gold and copper. The Lucide Manuela ceiling light in green finish looks fabulous and feels reminiscent of netting – don’t forget to order a bulb with a decorative filament to show it off to the fullest.

 

 

Natural materials like rattan, hessian, and cane can help to create a softly diffused light and complements the look and feel of spaces where nature is to be evoked and relaxation is to take place – in bedrooms, living areas and conservatories. This Lucide Magius flush wall light in rattan contrasts beautifully with the black metal back plate, for a slightly less rustic feel. For ceilings, the Iluzzia Nagua ceiling pendant light uses layers of bamboo shaded material to feel luxurious.

Fluted and ribbed glass lighting can also create depth in spaces where textures are being layered. This Markslojd Sober table lamp is versatile and works well in living rooms, casual use desks and bedrooms.

 

 

Statement pieces

Rather than depending on colours to create design effects, many are choosing to invest in statement lighting that they really love as a way of creating visual interest, or to update a room without needing to completely redecorate. Where statement lighting is in place, other decorative effects can be minimal – particularly where walls are plain, and drama is added in the accessories.

Statement pieces can be used throughout the home, in almost every room. In kitchens, multiple large pendants or sculptural pendant lights such as this Edit chart 6 arm ceiling pendant work perfectly over kitchen islands and dining tables.

 

 

In more formal dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms, chandeliers and ceiling pendants with unexpected materials such as agate can take centre stage, while in bedrooms, long arm wall lights on either side of the bed, or statement table lamps.

 

 

This Lucide Extravaganza coconut table lamp in green and gold hits on two trends at once, being a statement piece and with the green shade, which we’ll come to in our next trend, oceanic hues. This lamp works beautifully in living rooms, bedrooms and conservatories as a talking point, and could easily be updated in the future by switching out the shade for a different colour.

Smoked glass lighting is very much a trend through 2021. This Lucide Yoni table lamp makes a statement wherever it is placed throughout the home. It reminds us – in the best possible way – of desk toys that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, while still feeling like modern art, and so would look fabulous in a home office.

 

Oceanic hues

The biggest selling shades of paint were in green and blue hues in 2020, and this is highly likely to continue right through 2021. No doubt many designers were taking their inspiration from Pantone’s 2020 colour of the year, which was ‘Classic Blue’ (19-4052). At the end of 2020, US paint specialists Benjamin Moore kept the blue trend going by choosing Aegean Teal (2136-40) as their colour of the year for 2021.

Since green is strongly associated with nature, it makes many people feel peaceful, calm and relaxed – which is why, when TV shows have guests, they are sent to relax in the ‘green room’ prior to their appearance. It is also sometimes considered an optimistic, or hopeful colour, since green is strongly associated with the promise of spring.

Blues are also heavily entwined with nature, with many people associating it with water and the sea. Like green, blues are calming, and can encourage us to think of the ideal situation or solution for a problem. Although blue can be a positive colour, when using blue in décor, care should be taken to ensure that it doesn’t feel too cold – unless that is the intention, of course.

 

 

Greens and blues can work wonderfully in almost every room in the home, blue is less often used in dining rooms. While it can create a lovely, calming atmosphere, blues aren’t usually associated with food, since blue is rarely seen in natural foods, apart from blueberries and plums, and so it can actually suppress the appetite.

When choosing lighting to complement rooms featuring green and blue – whether influenced by traditional, or mid-century design styles – there is a wide range of lighting that works well. Both clear glass and opal glass work well for shades, while brass, gold and white also look fantastic.

 

 

Grey and yellow

We’ve spoken about grey and yellow as trending colours for 2021 since the beginning of the year – but that’s the power of Pantone. When Pantone announces a colour for the year, everyone involved in design listens, and this year, they announced “Ultimate Gray” and “Illuminating” as two separate shades that would encapsulate the feelings of hope and resilience that we need through 2021.

 

 

Illuminating (we approve of the name!) is a vivid yellow shade that is optimistic and aspirational, while Ultimate Gray was being “emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation” to encourage and reassure – something that we’re all in need of after the challenges that 2020 presented us with.

Greys have long been favoured for use in the home as a calm, soothing shade. It pairs well with many different shades, since it balances brighter and more intense hues, while it also works well with other natural shades owing to it being the colour of many pebbles.

Yellows are often avoided in the home as they can sometimes feel too vibrant and wakening. Used carefully though – either alongside balancing neutrals, or as a contrasting colour – yellow can be used to great effect.

When choosing lighting for rooms with yellow or grey, keeping it simple is often the way forward. Clear glass, white, silver, textured fabrics, and marble effects can all work well, depending on the styling of the space.

 

 

Lighting trends in different rooms

We’ve all used our homes even more extensively than usual this year. As we’ve spent more time at home and saved money on going out, many homeowners have been using the time to search for their dream lighting, and to upgrade lighting in different rooms.

 

Kitchen

When designing and remodelling kitchens, the trend for statement lighting continues, with a move away from bar pendants in favour of having multiple single pendant lighting. To make the most of this trend, we love the Edit Hammered Ceiling Pendant Light in Copper, and the Lucide Julius smoked glass pendant light. Both options look striking used in multiples above kitchen islands and dining tables, but there are a range of pendants to suit every style.

Lighting within kitchen furniture has been popular for a while, especially LEDs installed under higher cupboards to illuminate the counters, but this type of lighting can be used to create different effects. Adding lights above cupboards can help low ceilings feel higher, creating a more airy feel in the kitchen, while fitting LED strips under cupboards can create a floating effect. Since it highlights the floors, it also has the benefit of ensuring that cleaning is done promptly, and done well too – you might want to invest in a Swiffer mop for easy clean-ups if applying this trend!

 

 

Home office

2020 was undoubtedly the year that the home office was established as a permanent requirement. With more people working from home, it makes sense that there has been a trend towards more task lighting for home offices. Many people started out making use of cheap functional desk lamps as a temporary fix, but as working from home looks set to continue through 2021 and beyond, it is understandable that finding stylish desk lighting has become a priority.

Not only is it important to have desk lighting that illuminates our work space, but those Zoom calls are now non-optional – so having stylish desk lighting that both looks good, and makes us look good on camera is essential. Designers have seen this demand, and there are a huge range of desk lamps available to suit any aesthetic. There are classic styles, such as the Roslyn desk lamp in antique brass, starkly industrial styles like the Endon Hal table lamp in antique brass, and the beautiful and modern styles, such as the Lucide Mirasol marble and brass table lamp.

 

 

Bedroom

We talked about bedroom lighting ideas in this post, but we can’t talk about lighting trends without discussing how statement pendants are having a moment in bedrooms. Sculptural shades are popular, as we mentioned in our previous post, but they can also be used to add texture – such as with this Lucide Maloto glass ceiling pendant light in amber, or this Baracoa ceiling pendant light in rattan.

Statement pendants aren’t just used in the centre of the room either. They can be a fantastic alternative to bedside lamps, helping to bedside tables clear of wires and clutter – and are especially ideal if there are accident-prone pets or children around!

Great all lighting is another option next to the bed and feels luxurious as well as functional. Having dimmer switches on wall plates can create further flexibility, and when turned down to the dimmest setting, should the light need to be switched on at night, it isn’t such a shock to the system. This DFTP Balance LED wall light with plug has a dimmer switch built in, and provides perfect illumination for bedtime reading.

 

 

Tips for choosing great lighting

Having a range of lighting in each room allows spaces to be better utilised – although of course, it depends on what the room is going to be used for, as to what type of lighting is most important. The days of having just ‘the big light’ in the centre of the room as the only lighting option are now long past. We recommend that each room should have between five and seven lighting points, with at least one type of lighting from each category for every room. This allows for the perfect amount of flexibility for each space, and increases the number of activities that are possible in each room.

 

Categories of lighting

 

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting is often provided by the main light on the ceiling (although this isn’t always the case – wall lighting can also contribute to ambient lighting) and should fill the room with light. It is functional and allows the room to be used in the same way as if it were natural daylight. But as we have seen, functional doesn’t need to be boring! There are plenty of choices of lighting fixtures that can contribute to ambient indoor lighting, including:

• Ceiling fixtures including chandeliers, downlights, pendants, spotlights, track lights and batten lights
• Wall lighting such as picture lights, uplights, ceramic lights and flush wall lights
• Floor lamps and table lamps

 

 

Task lighting

This is the lighting within a room that is used for specific reasons. In a bedroom, this would be lamps on bedside tables, in the kitchen it might be under-counter lights that illuminate work surfaces, while in the study, it would be desk lighting. Task lighting can be provided by:

• Downlights and pendants
• LED cabinet lights
• Floor, desk, or table lamps

 

 

Accent lighting and spotlights

Interior designers use accent lighting as a way to highlight architectural features or items in the space such as artwork, a collection of objects, or a sculpture. Sometimes it is used to create a specific effect and can also create the feeling that the room is bigger than it actually is. Spotlights are frequently used to achieve this, while up and down lights or arm lights can also be used to draw the attention to a certain aspect of the room.

 

Lighting height

When you’re considering adding any kind of lighting, but particularly statement lighting from the ceiling – it is always sensible to check heights before ordering and installing. Sufficient clearance is essential to avoid injury or breakage (or both!), and so there should be a minimum of 2 metres between the floor and the lighting fixture – more if you have a particularly tall member of your household! When fitting lighting above dining tables, there should be a minimum of 65 cm between the table and the lighting fixture.

 

Light bulbs shouldn’t be an afterthought

Care should be taken to ensure the right type of bulbs are used in different types of lights. Functional task lighting in a study or kitchen requires white or blue-tinted bulbs, to provide brightness, while in bedside lamps, a softer and warmer feel is more appropriate to ensure that sleep isn’t interrupted.

As we mentioned earlier, where bulbs are exposed by their light fittings, bulbs are an essential part of the look – so choose appropriately – whether that is bulbs with decorative filaments, smaller sized bulbs, or candle bulbs.

 

 

The small details are important

When decorating your home and keeping everything on trend, don’t neglect the smaller details that make all the difference. Plain white, plastic switches and sockets will do the job perfectly, but they often aren’t beautiful, and won’t add to the feeling of comfort. Adding light switches that are intentionally chosen to complement your décor or choice of light fitting (in the same material and finish as the light fitting) can create a really professionally designed feel and elevate the room in a subtle, yet incredibly effective way.

Most importantly, ensure that you have the ability to control the brightness of your lighting. As designer Åsa Fjellstad says – not having a dimmer switch on your lighting is like having a loudspeaker with only one setting – so make sure you add dimmer switches to your shopping list when refreshing your space in 2021. Continue the theme by switching telephone sockets and power sockets to match (not forgetting to fit USB power, since so many of our devices run on them today) for a really luxurious look and feel.

 

Find more lighting ideas and solutions click here.