A guide to choosing lighting for your home
by Jess Hodges, Interior Design Manager
Transform your home with expert lighting advice
Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in home design. It doesn’t just light a room — it sets the mood, enhances functionality, and highlights your home’s best features. From creating a warm, inviting living space to ensuring your home office is productive and efficient, choosing the lighting in a room is about blending both style and practicality.
At Carlisle Homes, we know that thoughtful lighting can transform a house into a home. With decades of experience designing beautifully functional spaces, we’ll help you achieve the perfect balance of style and function when choosing lights for your home.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The types of lighting every home needs and how to use them.
- Room-by-room lighting tips to enhance your entryway, kitchen, bedroom, home office, and more.
- Expert advice on layering light for functionality and style, including how accent lighting serves a specific purpose.
- Common lighting mistakes to avoid and actionable tips to get it right.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refreshing your interiors, this guide will inspire you to create a lighting plan that takes into account the size of your room, the types of lighting to include in your home and how different light sources can impact the final outcome.
Make your bedroom relaxing and peaceful with pendant lighting, as seen in the Montpellier Grand Master Atrium at Smiths Lane Estate, Clyde North.
Understanding the types of lighting every home needs
Lighting isn’t just about the amount of bright light in a room — it’s about creating a balance that makes every space feel comfortable, functional and visually appealing. To achieve perfect home lighting, it’s essential to understand the three main types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. Each serves a unique purpose, and together they create a harmonious and flexible lighting design.
- Ambient lighting: This is the foundation of your room’s illumination. Often provided by overhead lighting, it sets the overall tone and ensures the space is well-lit. Ambient lighting is crucial for functionality, but on its own, it can feel flat or uninspiring. That’s why layering is key.
- Task lighting: Designed for specific activities, task lighting provides focused illumination where you need it most — like reading, cooking, applying make-up or working at a desk. It often includes options like direct light from a desk lamp or under-cabinet fixtures, ensuring you have the brightness needed for precision tasks. It can be cool light or emit a warm glow - this often comes down to personal preference.
- Accent lighting: The finishing touch in a layered lighting plan, accent lighting highlights your home’s best features. Whether it’s a piece of artwork, architectural details, or a cozy reading nook, accent lighting adds depth and personality.
With these basics, you’ll know how to choose the right lighting for your home. By layering these types of lighting, you’ll create a space that’s both functional and inviting — perfect for daily life and special occasions.
How to select the right lighting for each room in your home
Lighting can make or break a room - with every space having its own unique lighting needs. Here’s how to get the type and amount of light right in different spaces:
How to get perfect lighting for your entryway with pendant lights
Make an immediate statement by adding pendant lighting to your home’s entryway as seen in the Rothbury Grand Atrium at Meridian Estate in Clyde North. This type of pendant lighting incorporates a design element that sets the tone for the rest of the home.
Make a great first impression with a stunning hallway light. If you’ve got height on your side and you favour an elegant aesthetic, opt for a classic chandelier that fills the area with twinkling light. Or, for a relaxed, coastal vibe, consider an on-trend beaded chandelier. A laser-cut style in timber will add warmth and cast intriguing shadows on your hallway walls when lit, while a geometric fitting in black steel will add a touch of vintage flair. Use lighting to elevate the interior design of your home.
Proportion is key; choose a style that’s big enough to make a statement, but won’t overwhelm the space. Consider shape too; a fitting with curvy, rounded lines will soften the hard edges in a hallway, while one with sharp edges will add a contemporary feel. Make sure your lighting gets noticed by choosing a colour or finish that contrasts with the wall behind it.
To add warmth to your hallway, add additional layers of lighting, such as a pair of elegant, ribbed-glass wall lights above a console table or either side of a mirror, or a small pendant with a low-wattage bulb above the tabletop surface.
Check out our interior design guides for a little inspiration — including some stunning uses of pendant lights. Our Spectra Showroom also has an abundance of lighting sets and options to choose from.
Create the perfect dining atmosphere with the right lighting
For a casual dining setting, an opaque parchment pendant will provide soft lighting and create a more relaxed feel. Seen here at the Clovelly by Carlisle Homes.
The warm light of a pendant (or pendants) above a dining table adds intimacy and a sense of occasion when you’re entertaining. It’s also a great way to zone a dining area within an open-plan room.
Trending styles include oversized pendants in blonde or mid-tone timber with a refined, organic feel; clear and opaque glass pendants that provide a view of the bulb inside for an industrial edge; and long, linear style in luxurious, brushed-gold or brass.
Before deciding on a lighting style, consider its function. If you use your dining table for more than just meals, such as somewhere for the kids to do their homework or to work at a laptop, make sure the fitting emits sufficient task light. Adding a dimmer is wise as it allows you to easily transition from task lighting to ambient lighting when required.
Height is another important consideration; interior designers generally recommend hanging a light 70 to 80 centimetres above the tabletop for a balanced look.
Make your kitchen functional and stylish with a variety of lighting
An arrangement of three stylish pendants helps zone the kitchen and provide ample task light at the Illawarra Grand Deluxe 45
Today’s kitchen is so much more than a practical zone — it’s the hub of the home where we gather, cook, and entertain. A gorgeous pendant light above your island benchtop adds instant personality and interest to your kitchen, elevating it beyond the purely functional to a space that’s all about connection.
Choose from a single, oversized pendant or a trio of smaller pendants that run the length of your kitchen island. A popular designer look of the moment is to hang a cluster of pendants above one end of the island, creating asymmetrical appeal.
Draw attention to your kitchen pendant by choosing a bold colour or a striking finish that contrasts with your kitchen joinery. If you’re looking to create a connection between an adjoining living or dining room within an open-plan room, link the colour or finish to elements in these spaces.
You can increase the warmth factor in your kitchen and highlight treasured artworks or decorative features by adding in wall lights. Mixed-material styles are popular right now; think steel and timber or timber and glass with curvy, minimalist lines.
Transform your bedroom with functional lighting for rest and relaxation
A sculptural pendant in a bedroom offers a contemporary alternative to a traditional bedside lamp. This type of lighting allows for task lighting while reading, while also creating a design feature within the room.
The right lighting can turn your bedroom into a haven of calm and comfort. A pendant light above your bedside table frees up surface space while making a stylish statement. Opt for elongated designs if you have high ceilings, or choose a cluster of smaller pendants for a more playful look.
For a cozy yet elegant feel, consider soft, diffused lighting in materials like frosted glass or fabric. To create a dramatic focal point, a sculptural pendant or wireframe light can double as an art piece.
When positioning your bedroom lighting, sit in bed and measure the height to ensure it’s at chin level — this provides adequate light for reading while maintaining visual balance. Don’t forget to add dimmers for easy transitions between task and ambient lighting.
Design a productive home office with these home lighting tips
A natural tripod style floor lamp, like this one from Beacon Lighting, can add a sculptural element to your room, helping fill void spaces or light parts of the room that may not be captured by ambient lighting.
Good lighting is key to maintaining focus and reducing fatigue in your home office. Start with natural light — position your desk near a window to make the most of daylight. Supplement this with an adjustable table or floor lamp featuring a warm LED bulb, which provides focused light without creating glare.
For general illumination for a whole room, consider a ceiling-mounted fixture with dimming capabilities to adjust the brightness throughout the day. Add wall-mounted task lights or track lighting for specific areas like shelves or workstations.
To tie your home office into the rest of your home, select lighting fixtures with finishes that match your décor. For example, a brass lamp or a matte-black finish can give your office a polished, professional look.
Brighten your bathroom with functional and stylish lighting
A stylish pendant lamp in marble and smoked glass highlights the geometric tiles used within this powder room, adding a design feature to a compact space.
Bathroom lighting needs to strike a balance between practicality and style. Begin with task lighting around the vanity mirror — wall sconces on either side of the mirror provide even illumination for grooming tasks. Choose designs in ribbed glass or polished chrome for a timeless aesthetic.
For ambient lighting, a ceiling-mounted fixture or recessed lights work well to provide overall illumination. If you want to add a touch of luxury, consider a sparkling pendant or a contemporary linear light above the bathtub.
For added functionality, install discreet under-cabinet or under-shelf lights to illuminate darker areas. These can make it easier to access essentials while adding a soft glow to your bathroom at night.
Tips for choosing the right lighting for all rooms in the house
Getting your home lighting right involves more than picking a fixture you like — it’s about combining functionality and aesthetics to enhance your space. Here are 10 expert tips to guide you:
- Layer your lighting
Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a well-balanced and flexible lighting design. This ensures your spaces are functional while still looking inviting. - Use dimmers for flexibility
Dimmers allow you to adjust the brightness of your lights to suit different times of day and activities. They’re particularly useful in living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas. - Match your lighting to your home’s style
Choose fixtures that complement the architecture and décor of your home. For example, sleek and minimal designs suit modern homes, while ornate chandeliers work beautifully in more traditional spaces. - Consider the scale of your fixtures
The size of your lighting fixtures should be proportional to the room they’re in. Oversized pendants can make a bold statement in large spaces, while smaller fixtures are better suited for more compact rooms. - Position your lights strategically
Avoid harsh shadows and overly bright areas by positioning lights to distribute illumination evenly. For example, use multiple light sources in open-plan spaces to cover all areas effectively. - Incorporate energy-efficient options
When choosing new lighting options, opt for LED light bulbs and energy-saving fixtures to reduce energy consumption and save on electricity bills. LEDs also last longer, making them a cost-effective choice. - Think about task-specific needs
Make sure you have adequate task lighting in areas like the kitchen, home office, and bathroom. Adjustable lamps or under-cabinet lights are great for focused illumination. - Experiment with materials and finishes
Lighting fixtures are as much about design as they are about functionality. Mixed materials, such as glass and timber or matte black and brass, are trending and can add visual interest to your home. - Ensure the right colour temperature
The warmth or coolness of your light (measured in Kelvin) impacts the atmosphere of your space. Warmer tones (2700K–3000K) are ideal for bedrooms and living areas, while cooler tones (4000K–5000K) work well in kitchens and home offices. - Plan lighting early in renovations or builds
Include lighting decisions in the early stages of your renovation or building project. This ensures wiring and fixture placement are seamlessly integrated into your setup.
We also recommend having a read through our guide on the knockdown rebuild process so you can better understand when in the process you’ll need to start thinking about lighting.
Avoid these common mistakes when choosing lighting
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make mistakes when planning your home’s lighting. Avoid these five common pitfalls to ensure your lighting enhances your space:
- Over-lighting your spaces
Too much light can make a room feel harsh and clinical. Avoid over-relying on a single bright fixture by layering different types of lighting, like ambient, task, and accent lights, for a more balanced and inviting atmosphere. - Ignoring dimmers
Fixed-brightness lights limit your ability to adjust the mood lighting or functionality of a space. Installing dimmer switches allows you to tailor the lighting intensity to different activities, from entertaining guests to relaxing in the evening. - Choosing fixtures that are the wrong size
A light fixture that’s too large can overwhelm a small room, while a too-small fixture may look out of place in a larger space. Always consider the proportions of the room and the height of the ceiling when selecting light fixtures for your home. - Neglecting task lighting
Many homeowners focus solely on general lighting and forget to incorporate sufficient task lighting. Areas like kitchens, home offices, and bathrooms need focused lighting to make activities like cooking, working, or grooming more efficient and comfortable. - Not planning for lighting early enough
Waiting until the end of a renovation or build to think about lighting can lead to poorly placed fixtures and limited options for wiring. Include lighting decisions in the early stages of your project to ensure everything is seamlessly integrated into your design.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll ensure your lighting is both functional and stylish, enhancing the look and feel of your home.
As seen in the Astoria Grand Living, pairing wall lights with a mirror is a great way to brighten up a room and make it appear larger.
Your guide to achieving perfect home lighting
Great lighting isn’t just functional — it’s transformative. By combining layers of ambient, task, and accent lighting, you can create a home that feels welcoming, stylish, and uniquely yours. Whether you’re highlighting architectural features or designing a cozy retreat, your lighting choices make all the difference.
At Carlisle Homes, we pride ourselves on delivering:
- Expert design advice: Our team helps you choose lighting solutions that enhance both form and function.
- Customisable options: From contemporary pendants to timeless sconces, our range of design ideas can be tailored to fit your style.
- Proven expertise: With decades of experience, we ensure every detail of your home — including lighting — is planned to perfection.
- Budget planning: Our handy online mortgage refinance calculator will help you sort out how you can afford to make the changes you want.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Explore our inspiration galleries, visit one of our display homes, or play around with our Spectra Online tool to see how colour, fixture and lighting choices can dramatically change your home’s vibe.
Jess Hodges
Interior Design Manager
Jess' eye for design and versatile skill set have led to multiple industry award wins for Carlisle Homes, showcasing her ability to deliver high quality and tailored interior solutions.
Learn more about Jess Hodges