Before we start, if you haven't read our previous lighting feature blog, you might want to head there first. There we strip back to basics, and outline all the major differences with wall lights and pendant lights. Following that, it'll be time to figure out which room they'll thrive in. So, pop over there and come back here after.
When curating your feature lighting, it doesn’t have to be a question of pendant lights or wall lights. Layered lighting combines both types to create a balanced space in which the ambiance and functionality can be controlled. This balance can be hard to achieve, and the recipe is different for each and every room. To give you a helping hand, here’s a room-by-room breakdown of which lights we would style in each space.
The Cosy Living Room
The living room should always be cosy, inviting, and most importantly - relaxing. Moody, ambient lighting is perfect for this space, and implementing wall lights is a great way to achieve this. Pop a wall light in each alcove aside your fireplace to brighten up dark spaces, or dot them around the sides of the living room for ambient or dimmed lighting in the evenings.
A pendant light works well in your living room if you want to create a centred focus; Perhaps a coffee table or a dining table. However, we don’t want to take away that cosy feeling of a living room. So, how do we create a focused lighting feature without it being overwhelmingly bright? Opt for warm materials and finishes. Our Flora Aged Brass Pendant Light beautifully reflects a warm glow and the angled shade allows for a larger diffused light span without it feeling like a harsh spotlight. Paired alongside the Flora Aged Brass Wall Light, you can achieve the perfect ambient living room that adapts to living room dinners and cosy movie nights.
The Ambient Dining Room
A dining room needs to be a multi-functional space, particularly if it doubles as a home office or somewhere you might need to be more focused. With this in mind, the dining room is definitely a space you should consider layered feature lighting.
Wall lights can enhance the dining atmosphere by providing soft, and indirect lighting. If you’re hosting an intimate dining party, or a laid-back wine night, subtle wall lights are great for adding depth and creating an atmospheric environment. Whilst we love moody lighting, you need to be able to see your dinner, so consider opting for a glass shaded wall light like the Anthony Black Wall Light.
Cammie Ceramic Pendant Lighting - Double
A large pendant light over the dining table is a classic choice in your dining room. Hang one pendant light or a cluster directly over your dining table to create a focused, elegant look over the table. We love the Cammie Ceramic Pendant Lighting, as the double feature is perfect for hanging over a dining table for a diffused glow that doesn’t focus too harshly. The adjustable cable also means you can play around with the height and hang higher for more light, or lower for a more intimate feel.
The Relaxing Bedroom
Much like the dining room, the bedroom is a multifunctional space. Sometimes you’ll need full lighting when doing your make-up or cleaning around the room. Other times you’ll be unwinding for bed and needing only a little glimmer of light to go through your evening routine.
Brindley Aged Brass Wall Light
Wall lights are ideal for bedside lighting above your bed frame, particularly if you don’t have space on a side table for a table lamp. Evenings spent reading in bed will be much more snuggly with muted wall lights. The Brindley Aged Brass Wall Light functions wonderfully as a reading light, since the opaque shade makes for a more streamlined, focused glow, and the adjustable knuckle means that you can set them to the perfect angle for you.
For a cohesive feel that doesn’t interrupt the bedroom’s feng shui, you should match your pendant light to your wall light in the bedroom. The Brindley Aged Brass Pendant Lights have a slightly more tapered shape, creating a lovely focused glow, keeping in line with a cosy bedroom atmosphere whilst being a statement centrepiece to the room.
The Soul of the Kitchen
The kitchen is a space where you can be more creative with your lighting. We love lighting that complements or matches coloured cabinetry or accessories. For example, if you have black cabinetry or kitchen armoire cabinets, wall lights such as the Brindley Hammered Brass Wall Light in Soot would create an undeniably striking look. Choose an accent colour, and implement it throughout. Wall lights in your kitchen work as task lighting over countertops, or accent lighting to highlight specific areas like open shelves.
Brindley Hammered Brass Wall Light in Soot
Pendant lights are a must over kitchen islands or breakfast bars. They’re not only functional in creating essential task lighting, but also visually make your island the heart of the kitchen - as it should be. If your kitchen island or breakfast bar is larger, consider a pendant light with a shade that’s tapered outwards to cover a wider space. The Hockley Hammered Brass Pendant Light in Soot is a stunning choice in the kitchen, and mixing and matching feature lighting shapes, but using one consistent colour is a charming way to add some character to your kitchen.
Hockley Hammered Brass Pendant Light - Soot
The Welcome to the Home - Entryways and Hallways
Hallways or entryways tend to be narrower in shape, and therefore, wall lights don’t always fit as well. If you have them on either side of the walk way, it can make the room look smaller. If you only have the wall lights on one side, it might look off balance. In this case, a table lamp on your console works perfectly for when you don’t need full light in there. Just enough light to navigate your way through, along with a warm feel for when you arrive home or guests visit.
Harborne Aged Brass Pendant Light
Along with a table lamp, you’ll need a pendant light in the hallway. Although it might not be used quite as frequently, a pendant light can make a stunning first impression. One individual large pendant light such as the Harborne Aged Brass Pendant Light would look great in a hallway. Alternatively, you could opt for a row of more subtle, smaller pendant lights such the Ava Ceramic Pendant light, depending on your style. Remember that your hallway is the first place people see when they come into your home, so it should complement your home’s overall style and set the tone for the rest of the space.
Bringing it all Together
To wrap things up, remember that lighting your home doesn’t have to be an either-or situation—pendant lights or wall lights. The magic really happens when you layer them together, creating spaces that are not only functional but also full of charm and character. Whether you're going for a cosy living room, a versatile dining space, a peaceful bedroom retreat, a lively kitchen, or a welcoming hallway, the right mix of lighting can make all the difference. So, don’t be afraid to play around, mix and match, and most importantly, have fun with it! Your home should feel as warm and inviting as you are, and with the right lighting, it will.
