Image credit: Vale Garden Houses
It’s easy to think that lighting a conservatory isn’t a big deal. After all, when you’ve got that much natural light flooding in, surely you don’t need to add more?
The reality is that the abundance of natural light means conservatory lighting has to be even more carefully considered. High ceilings, vast expanses of glazing and limited wall space mean it’s not always easy to find a solution that works.
To help you create the perfect conservatory lighting scheme, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite ideas to help add an extra spark to your sunny space.
For a rustic yet contemporary approach to lighting, install a pendant light that uses natural outdoor materials combined with simple lighting. Hang your pendant above a dedicated area such as a dining table to create a stunning focal point.
This is a DIY project you can take on yourself using foraged branches and battery-powered string lights.
Or if you’re concerned that will look a little too homespun, you could invest in a designer piece such as this Nordic rustic hanging chandelier with bubble lamps (Demolights, £350).
If your conservatory design features a roof lantern, frame the space with a series of spotlights. Using downlights is also important if you like to enjoy the night sky, as uplighters will simply light the glass and block out the stars.
As well as drawing your attention to this beautiful ceiling feature, spotlights around the edge of a lantern help to create a zone. Referencing the rectangular shape above in the seating layout below provides natural symmetry and unity, which in turn defines it as one specific area.
For additional zoning, ask your conservatory supplier to fit spotlights on different circuits so that you can turn on each area individually. A dimmer function will also help create a softer mood when needed.
To create a cohesive interior design scheme, choose lights made from similar materials to tie your scheme together. The use of materials such as rattan, straw and bamboo are perfect for creating a light and airy scheme that feels exotic in design.
In this example, the rattan shades echo the colour and textured look of the kitchen cabinets and worktops and are sizeable enough that they don’t seem lost in the vast pitched roof space.
Choosing natural elements for the main fixtures and fittings, as well as for the accessories stored on the shelving, successfully creates an overall look of desert island chic.
Abbie Bell, founder of Click Style lighting, reminds us how important it is to remember that the décor of your conservatory plays a key role in lighting.
“Light-coloured walls and flooring will reflect more light, creating a brighter and more open space. Darker colours can absorb light, creating a more intimate and cosy atmosphere.”
For a scheme that oozes sophistication, add a serious moment of sparkle with a pair of matching crystal chandeliers.
As well as providing a beautiful contrast against dark furniture, at night the room will be filled with a star-like effect, as the light bounces back off the rooflights and glass ceilings. Using a matching pair helps divide the space into two clear areas for seating and dining.
To ensure your conservatory roof can handle the weight of chandeliers, it’s important to let your conservatory supplier know from the start if you have grand plans.
Many conservatory frames are able to hold only a certain weight, or will need a specialist panel installed at the apex in order to support any type of lighting. You’ll also need to be guided regarding where you can run wiring.
With wall and roof space at a premium due to a conservatory’s glazed design, it’s important to get the right advice before you put your hand in your pocket.
Love a sun-room filled with foliage? Why not emphasise the jungle feel and introduce some humour with this fun monkey table lamp? Nestled in amongst the greenery, a bare bulb will highlight sculptural leaves and provide a great talking point for your guests.
For a more formal look, add a lampshade for a softer warm glow that's easier on the eye.
Take a smart approach to keep your plants protected
If your lamps are nestled in amongst your plants and you want to avoid damaging leaves, why not consider using a smart plug system that operates via remote control?
Smart plug kits are readily available and can work via smart home speaker – such as an Amazon Echo or Google speaker – or operate alone via your wireless network and a phone app.
All you need to do is plug your lamp into the adaptor, sync it to your phone or speaker, and you’re all set. You can also buy smart lightbulbs that work in the same way.
For a lighter tech approach, a simple timer plug will let you set your lights to automatically turn on and off at a specified time.
High conservatory ceilings give you the scope to choose large-scale designs that would otherwise be impractical. Without the risk of them being touched, you have the freedom to choose bold designs that simply beg to be looked at and admired.
Picking a light in colours that match the structure above will soften the impact. Lighting designs that mimic natural elements such as flowers will also strengthen the link between indoors and outdoors.
If your conservatory is already a much-loved addition to your home, but you still feel you don’t have enough sockets for task lighting, or are worried about cables trailing across the floor, the vast range of wireless lighting available can provide a solution.
With battery powered or solar lighting, you’re free to place lights just where you need them. Whether it’s extra table lamps or an alternative to candles, the soft light emitted can provide a lovely night-time glow.
However, if you are about to embark on a new conservatory project, then you have more options available.
David Wilder, director of his own interior and furniture design company, spent many years working for luxury conservatory supplier Marston & Langinger and reveals his top tip to clients.
“Add floor sockets to ensure you are not restricted to having floor or table lamps placed next to walls.”
If your conservatory design has solid walls, there’s further opportunity to use your lighting for decoration as well as functionality.
Using multiples of the same design will immediately provide a visual focal point and provide wonderful shadows in the evening when the sun has finally set.
Rechargeable bulbs offer wire-free wall lighting If you would like to install pendant or wall lighting to an existing conservatory but can’t run the required wiring, rechargeable bulbs may provide a solution. Made with the same standard fittings as a mains-powered lightbulb, some can be recharged using a USB cable and operated with a remote control.
Before removing any cables attached to lights, it’s a good idea to check with an electrician that the ceiling or wall lights you want to use will work with the bulb.
If moments spent stargazing are part of your conservatory experience, why not bring stars and planets inside with either one or a series of pendant lights?
Although there are moon replica lights available, we also like this design, which is made from thin layers of wood and looks just as beautiful in the day as it does the night. As well as creating a glowing orb, the layered effect gives it a petal-like quality.
Ajay Vasdev, lighting consultant and director of Asco Lights, shares his advice. “When creating a conservatory lighting scheme, it’s important to remember the impact of floor, table and wall lamps – all of which can create a more relaxed mood and add drama.
“Clever systems that allow the colour temperature to adjust are also worth considering,” says Vasdev.
“If you want to feel really warm and cosy, use lighting that offers 2500-2700K for a warm yellow light, or if you want to feel energised, use daylight solutions at 4000K.”
K in lighting stands for ‘Kelvin’ and represents the colour temperature of the light. The higher the K number, the cooler and brighter the light.
In a conservatory scheme where gloss surfaces and sleek finishes are key, choose a series of simple silver pendant lights, like the ones used here to highlight a kitchen island. When lit, as well as providing task lighting for eating, the gloss surface will naturally reflect the light back out into the room.
A metal light also works particularly well in kitchen conservatories, where chrome and aluminium appliances often form part of the scheme.
Although lantern-style lights are often associated with the outdoors, they can work equally well in conservatories and provide a contrasting industrial feel to a more formal design. When hung over seating areas or dining tables, lanterns can create large pools of light which are perfect for evening socialising.
To tie the look together, pick items of furniture such as side tables which replicate the glass and metal design of your lantern lights and add flooring and table lights in the same materials.
If your lights are nautical in theme, choose a blue, white and grey colour scheme and add decorative items such as boats for your final finishing touches.
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