Planning Your Next Lighting Purchase
Lighting is a major purchase. We love a lighting fact, it is estimated on average most households buy lighting once every seven years so for most people buying ceiling lights, pendant lights and wall lights is an unusual and major purchase. As we rarely buy lighting starting out can be daunting with so many choices, styles, differing technologies and light sources. Changing an installed light can be disruptive and expensive as installation by an appropriately qualified person is required. The new light selected will be in place for a long time so it is important the wall light, ceiling light or pendant light chosen when in place chosen both look as expected and radiate the intensity of light required.
Another lighting fact, the most common mistake made is choosing a light that is too small. The second most common is dis-satisfaction with the light given out. Lighting is not the easiest item to buy from a picture. Lighting comes in a wide range of prices and qualities both in terms of the material used and build quality and the amount and quality of light given out – all tricky things to convey in a picture and fact sheet. You might find a design you like, but the many different finishes, materials, colours and sizes available, and different light sources can make the final selection feel a bit like a lottery and most important of all will it look as I expect when it is installed?
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Here are some tips to get you started on the right path and to avoid some common pitfalls choosing to purchase a ceiling light, pendant light, or wall light.
Choose a specialist lighting supplier.
We have all heard stories of online shopping disasters. There is no substitute for personal advice from a specialist. A lighting specialist can save you time and money and introduce you to options you may not have thought about. Find a lighting expert near you from our list of approved stockists. Always look for stockists with industry certifications and endorsement.
Remember lighting must meet rigorous UK safety standards and it is important the product you buy has the correct quality of electrical components and wiring or your safety could be at risk. Check out sellers thoroughly and avoid those that do not display appropriate safety accreditation.
Make sure you know all of the key details before completing a purchase.
Ensure you know about the returns policy, after sales advice should you have an installation issue and availability of spare parts should you need any in the future – (should a glass shade break while cleaning for instance). Lights are often large boxes and can be awkward and expensive to return. If you have a question on installation can you easily find someone qualified to help you? Will the seller be around in a few years should you need a spare part.
Are you replacing and existing ceiling light, wall light or outdoor light? Are you re-decorating?
If the answer is yes then you will be able to take ideas about size from this fitting. The key measurements you need are the diameter or width and length (for a bar pendant ceiling light light) and the Height (or drop) of the light fitting to ensure the tallest member of your household can pass underneath! To check you have the right size see our guides on how to choose the perfect light .
Check the size of other key features of your interior when considering size, for instance if choosing a bathroom light make sure you know the size of the mirror for placing bathroom wall lights and over mirror lights, or the size of your dining table if placing a light over that.
If you want to avoid re-decorating
Remember there will be a hole in the wall or ceiling where the existing light sits. To minimise the disruption if you are not thinking of re decorating at the same time, measure the size of the exiting back plate and check the new ceiling fittings and pendants or wall lights you have chosen have the same size back plate or a slightly larger one.
Know where you want the light to shine
If you are changing your lighting you can take the opportunity to create a completely different look and feel by changing how your lighting works. If you have always had one centre ceiling light and a few table lamps for reading you could you could take advantage of wall lighting, directional lighting and lamp technologies such as smart lighting to enhance your new look and add smart control features.
Directional lights or adjustable lights are lights where the arm or head of the light can be moved to shine the light exactly where you want it. Ceiling lights and wall lights both come with adjustable and directional heads. Using these you can light up dark corners without over lighting other areas, highlight pictures and wall art, target the light to worktops or breakfast bars in kitchens or home office spaces, or easily move light around for instance directing light to bounce off the ceiling for general room lighting or turning the head round to shine down over a table for more concentrated light.
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Having a main feature ceiling light or pendant has become popular and the light output is often selected to be low – additional lighting and ambience is then added by wall lights and table and floor lights. link to how to layer lighting. Kitchens often feature a spectacular pendant light over the dining area or breakfast bar with functional lighting supplied by directional lighting or spot lights. A good lighting specialist can take you through all these variations, they have a wealth of knowledge and can help you to refine your new lighting scheme.
A good salesperson can make a world of difference, in understanding what you are trying to create, suggesting ideas, and avoiding pitfalls.
Quality
Not all light fittings are created equal. Light fittings are made from many materials and to many different qualities from mass produced items to individually hand crafted pieces like the lights found in our David Hunt Lighting selection. Always check the descriptions and remember the basic truths still apply – the more you pay the better the quality should be and the longer the product should retain look its best. Things to watch out for are things like the thickness of the metal of the arms and back plates – the thicker they are the stronger the light will be and the better it will look when in position. Clean lines and well defined corners make a much better aesthetic than rounded ones. Electroplated finishes should be even and bright, less expensive finishes may tarnish quicker. There are many different types of glass, crystal glass, hand blown glass and moulded glass. Always check the description. Painted finishes will be less hard wearing than powder coated finishes. Silk lamp shades will be more lustrous than faux silk and more expensive. Always check the warranty, and if an extended warranty is available check if you need to register or not.
There is nothing like viewing a selection of light fittings to understand the difference in look and feel that the quality of the build and finish can give. To see a great selection of lighting find a stockist from our easy to use stockist locator.
Do not leave choosing your new light fitting to the last minute.
Chances are as you start looking some of the questions you have found here and in our how to choose the perfect light guide will mean you want to spend a little more time finding your perfect lights. Once you have decided on them it may take time to receive delivery. Our last fact – people leave buying their new lights until the last minute. This often results in disappointment as the electrician is booked and they are unable to wait for their chosen light as it was out of stock or would take too long to arrive. Start in god time, the more research you do the better pleased you will be with your new look interior space.
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Enjoy choosing your next great lighting purchase!
