What lighting goes where? We'll show you.

Different parts of your home require different lighting. Fortunately, there's an energy efficient replacement for almost every old-style bulb out there – from bedside lamps, outdoor floodlights and ceiling downlights through to the candle bulbs in chandeliers.

When choosing the best energy efficient option, keep in mind the type of activities in each room as well as the mood you want to establish. Warmer, slightly dimmed lighting works well in relaxing spaces like living rooms and bedrooms. Higher lighting levels improve contrast are good in areas where we work and read.

Remember that older eyes generally need more light to read and move around the house safely than other, younger, members of the family.

If your particular type of light is not covered in the room-by-room guide, check out the guide to replacement bulbs by light fitting

Details of the types of bulb you currently have are often printed on the bulb or its base.

Living Rooms

Living rooms are common areas used for a wide variety of activities, so it's important to have flexible lighting solutions that can easily be adjusted. This can be done by dimming and/or switching the appropriate fixtures to suit the activity or mood. Overall, a warm soft light is usually best in this space. Read more...

Dining Rooms

Given this is a space where you eat and socialise, it is important to have excellent colour properties to provide warm light for the correct skin tones. New generation halogen bulbs are ideal for such spaces. And opt for medium to low levels of light. Read more...

Kitchens

Kitchens require relatively high-level, diffuse lighting to eliminate shadows for food preparation tasks. Both fluorescent and halogen lights are appropriate for kitchen lighting and if you use a warm appearing fluorescent bulb (often labeled “warm white” – look for “2700K” or “3000K” on the packaging), the effect in your kitchen will match the other joining spaces in your home. Read more...

Halls/stairs/foyers/landings

Halls, stairs, foyers and landings are circulation spaces that often have a combination of feature and general lighting. In foyers, the feeling of brightness is important to create a welcoming feeling for visitors and a feeling of security for the person answering the door. In halls, stairs and landings lighting is used for the purpose of circulation, guidance and safety. Read more...

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are functional spaces but they are also for relaxing, so the lighting here needs to cater for both. Either way, it should create a pleasant comfortable feel… this is something that dimming will help you achieve. Read more...

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are functional spaces but can sometimes be a place of relaxation, so the lighting in this space needs to cater for both. Dimming the light will help to create the different environments required. The most difficult lighting consideration in a bathroom is the mirror. Ideally the light should be diffused so that it softens what we see. Points of light should not be used, as they create harsh shadows that are not particularly flattering. Use lamps with good colour rendering properties. Read more...

Workshops/Garages

Workshops and garages are functional spaces that require a reasonable level of general, diffused illumination on the workbench, floor and walls. This type of lighting is often best provided by fluorescent tubes with diffusers (covers that diffuse the light), spaced between the cars and over with the workbench. Fluorescent is very efficient, has good colour properties and is available in a range of colour temperatures. Read more...