We can talk paint colours and furniture layouts, but without the right light, even the most perfectly curated space can fall flat. Layer different sources, add playful touches, and experiment with natural materials to create a lightscape that’s both practical and full of character

LAYER IT UP
The key to good lighting is variety. A single source – like a central pendant – might flood the room with light, but it can also leave the space feeling cold and clinical. Layering is about combining different types of lighting, each serving its own purpose. Start with your general ambient lighting, which provides overall illumination. This could be a striking ceiling pendant or chandelier. From there, introduce task lighting – practical, focused lights designed for specific purposes. Think table lamps for reading nooks, a directional desk lamp in your home office set-up, or subtle under-cabinet lighting that sets the tone for the evening.
You can then add accent lighting to bring warmth and personality. Wall sconces, picture lights, or a strategically placed floor lamp can create pockets of illumination that highlight the best features of your space. “Consider the function and purpose of the lighting, as well as the mood you’d like to evoke,” advises Lena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse (barkerandstonehouse.co.uk). “A room must have more than one type of lighting as this will allow for flexibility and for the look and feel of a room to be instantly transformed at the flip of a switch.” And, if you really must use the ‘big light’, invest in a dimmer switch to give you even more flexibility and control over your light-scape.

THROW SHADE
“Bright and bold lampshades are making a statement in 2025,” says Shelley Cochrane, Accessories Buyer at Furniture Village (furniturevillage.co.uk). “As we move towards bringing more personality into our homes, lampshades are a great way to instantly add colour and pattern – there’s nothing quite like a light to complete the look, it’s like jewellery for the home!” While a bold, patterned shade can add a pop of colour to a neutral room, a textured material like linen or rattan creates a softer, more organic feel, and if you want something a little more luxurious, a rich velvet shade in a jewel hue can bring instant glamour.
When choosing a lampshade, think about how it interacts with the light. A pale or translucent fabric will let more light through, making it ideal for general illumination. A darker or more opaque shade, on the other hand, creates a more directional, moody effect – perfect for accent lighting.
CURVES AHEAD
Clean, contemporary lines dominate many modern interiors, so introducing curved shapes through lighting is a clever way to soften the overall look. Curved bases, arched floor lamps, and scalloped edges all add a sense of movement and elegance to a room. A curvy floor lamp can act as a statement piece in an otherwise minimalist space, while scalloped pendant lights bring a playful touch to more traditional interiors. These softer shapes help balance the architecture of a room, making it feel less rigid and more inviting.
“Bringing a sense of elegance and movement to a space, organic lines not only create a focal point within a scheme, but also help to soften a look,” says Georgia Metcalfe, founder and creative director at French Bedroom (frenchbedroom.co.uk). “Layering your existing lighting with gentle feminine shapes means you can add both charm and character to your interior. Scalloped edges will add visual interest and detail to any interior scheme.”

AU NATUREL
Lighting crafted from natural materials is both versatile and timeless. “Over the past year, we’ve seen an increased demand for natural and lightweight materials in lighting design and a desire for modern aesthetics,” says Shelley Cochrane. “This demand shows no signs of slowing down in 2025. Natural lighting fixtures add warmth and texture to our home and there are more options now available for materials such as rattan, bamboo and reclaimed wood, which creates an inviting atmosphere that complements modern and traditional interiors alike.”
Rattan pendants are particularly striking, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow across the ceiling. A bamboo floor lamp can add a laid-back bohemian vibe to a living room, while a wooden table lamp feels tactile and grounding. These natural materials are not only visually appealing but also lightweight, making them easy to move around and experiment with. Plus, they bring a subtle sense of calm and connection to nature, which is always a welcome addition to any home.
ARTFUL AMBIENCE
Creating atmosphere is where lighting really comes into its own. The best lighting offers so much more than the fixtures themselves when we think about the way light interacts with the space around it. High-end fixtures can double as striking centrepieces, blurring the lines between functional design and decorative art. Think statement chandeliers that cascade like a waterfall of light in an otherwise stark and minimalist dining room, or a sculptural pendant with organic, flowing lines that creates intricate shapes and patterns on the wall.
Layering ambient light with these sculptural pieces can completely transform a room, creating a sense of drama and intrigue. Wall-mounted fixtures with unique shapes or unexpected materials, such as brass or alabaster, can serve as both illumination and wall art. While floor lamps with oversized, abstract shades bring a gallery-like feel to a living space, casting soft pools of light whilst commanding attention. This is not just about illumination; it’s about sculpting a mood.