How to Choose the Right Lighting for Every Room in Your Home
A modern guide to energy-efficient, stylish lighting in the home
Lighting isn’t just about visibility—it’s about atmosphere, function, and making your home work better for your lifestyle. Whether you're cooking in the kitchen, winding down in the bedroom, or giving your garage a much-needed upgrade, the right lighting transforms every space. But with so many options out there, where do you start?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through choosing the right light for each room of your home. We’ll highlight smart, stylish, and practical products—like the Sensio LED strip, perfect for layered accent lighting, and the Knightsbridge SpektroLED Evo, a versatile IP65-rated smart downlight that works just about anywhere.
Let’s explore your home, room by room
Room-by-Room Lighting Guide
Kitchen – Function Meets Flair
The kitchen is one of the most lighting-sensitive areas in the home. You need strong, clear task lighting for food prep, along with ambient or accent lighting for dining and entertaining.
What type of lighting is best for a kitchen?
If you’re wondering what type of lighting works best in a kitchen, a layered approach is key. Combine downlights or pendants for task lighting, then add under-cabinet options like the Sensio LED strip for ambient and accent lighting. This not only improves visibility while cooking but also enhances the overall design.
- Ceiling spotlights and pendants provide focused task lighting over islands or counters.
- Add a touch of class with Smart LED strip under cabinets or toe kicks—it’s perfect for accenting kitchen details and improving visibility on worktops.
- For damp-prone kitchen zones near sinks or extractor fans, the IP65 Knightsbridge SpektroLED Evo Bundle is an ideal fire-rated downlight that can handle steam and splashes with ease, with a choice of bezel.
Lightsave Home Recommends: Mix task and ambient lighting for flexibility during cooking and dining.
Living Room – Layered Comfort
In the living room, mood is everything. Use a combination of light sources to suit different activities—from watching TV to reading or hosting guests.
- Use floor lamps, wall lights, or pendants for ambient lighting.
- Flexible LED strip can subtly backlight shelves, media units or skirting boards, creating a warm glow without glare.
- The SpektroLED Evo can be used here too—dimmable smart control lets you adjust the brightness for different times of day or activities.
Can LED strip lights be used in bedrooms or living rooms?
Can LED strip lighting be used in living spaces? Absolutely. The Sensio LED strip is a popular choice for soft accent lighting behind media units, under bed frames, or along shelving, adding warmth and dimension without taking up space.
Lightsave Home Recommends: Use dimmers or smart downlights to tailor the mood without needing multiple fittings.
Dining Room – Atmosphere, Accents & Entertaining Impact
The dining room has become one of the most expressive rooms in the home. Whether you’re hosting dinner parties, enjoying midweek meals, or celebrating with family, your lighting should do more than just illuminate, it should elevate the occasion.
Pendant lights above the dining table are a timeless centrepiece, offering both task lighting and a dramatic visual focal point. For added flexibility, dimmable ceiling lights allow you to switch from practical brightness to intimate ambience. You can also create soft backlighting with Flexible LED strips on shelving or sideboards, an elegant way to frame your dining space and introduce warm, indirect light.
What lighting is best for dining rooms used for entertaining?
When entertaining, pendant lights help define the dining space and set a visual tone. Dimmers let you shift from bright family meals to more relaxed evening gatherings. LED strips and decorative wall lights bring mood, colour and character — ideal for impressing guests without sacrificing function.
Bedroom – Soft and Soothing
Bedrooms benefit from calm, controllable lighting. You’ll want softer ambient light in the evening, but clear task lighting for dressing or reading.
- Use warm-white ceiling lights or wall-mounted reading lights for comfort and convenience.
- The Sensio LED strip works beautifully behind headboards or under bedside cabinets. It can be controlled by app or remote so no need to get out of bed to switch off or on.
- Add the SpektroLED Evo if you need a smart ceiling light that you can dim or set via voice command.
Lightsave Home Recommends: Opt for dimmable LED bulbs to promote restfulness.
What colour temperature is best for bedrooms?
Many people ask about colour temperature when choosing bedroom lights. We recommend warm white light (around 2700K–3000K) to create a soothing, restful feel, especially in fixtures like wall lights or dimmable ceiling spots. It’s ideal for winding down in the evenings.
Bathroom – Safe and Stylish
Safety is key in bathrooms. You’ll need fittings that are IP-rated for moisture-prone zones, without compromising on style.
Can I use smart lighting in the bathroom?
You might be asking: Can smart lighting be used in bathrooms? The answer is yes, as long as the fitting has the right IP rating. The Knightsbridge SpektroLED Evo is both smart and IP65 rated, meaning it’s safe for use even in areas exposed to steam and splashes, like above showers or near sinks.
- Look for IP44+ wall lights or IP65-rated ceiling downlights.
- The MLA Knightsbridge SpektroLED Evo is fire-rated and IP65-rated, making it safe to use even above showers.
- Use mirrors with built-in lighting or integrate Sensio strips around vanities for a spa-like glow.
Lightsave Home Recommends: Always check your bathroom’s lighting zones and match IP ratings accordingly.
Home Office – Focus, Comfort & Human-Centric Lighting
With more people working remotely or on hybrid schedules, your home office lighting needs to support concentration, comfort, and clarity throughout the day.
Start with well-distributed ceiling lighting, the Ledvance Sun@home range mimics the sunshine in your home, creating the perfect, relaxing office and home atmosphere. Layer this with a desk lamp or focused task light, especially if your workspace lacks natural daylight.
To go a step further, consider human-centric lighting — a concept based on replicating natural daylight patterns to support your circadian rhythm. Use smart bulbs or tunable white LED lighting to shift colour temperature, cooler tones for focus, warmer tones for relaxation.
Can lighting improve productivity in a home office?
Absolutely. Good lighting reduces eye strain, boosts focus and even supports your natural energy cycle. By combining task lighting and tunable white lighting, you can stay alert during the day and wind down in the evening, without leaving your desk.
Hallways & Staircases – Guiding Light
These transitional spaces often get overlooked, but benefit hugely from good lighting. Safety and welcome are key. Your hallway sets the tone for the rest of your home, and having the right lighting can make a world of difference. Whether you want to make a statement with a stunning ceiling fixture or need practical solutions like motion-sensor lights, Lightsave Home offers everything you need to enhance this often-overlooked space.
- Use motion sensor bulkheads or flush ceiling lights for functionality.
- Line stair treads or skirting with Sensio LED strips for added safety and visual interest.
- The SpektroLED Evo adds smart automation for hallways that double as night routes.
Lightsave Home Recommends: Use sensor lighting or schedules for energy savings in low-traffic areas.
Garage – Damp-Proof and Durable
The garage is more than just a place to park your car; it can serve as a workshop, storage room, home gym, or even a creative studio. With the right lighting, you can transform a dark and underused area into a bright, functional space. Garages need reliable lighting that can handle cold, damp conditions.
- Choose IP65 battens or bulkhead lights for general visibility.
- The SpektroLED Evo is also IP65 rated, making it suitable for ceilings in utility areas or garages that double as workshops.
- For storage areas or racking, install Sensio LED strips to light up awkward corners.
Is IP65 lighting suitable for garages?
One common question we get is: Is IP65 lighting suitable for garages? Definitely. Fixtures like the SpektroLED Evo are IP65 rated and built to withstand damp, dusty, and cold environments, making them ideal for garages, utility areas, and even outbuildings.
Lightsave Home Recommends: Use cool white light (4000K+) to improve visibility in work zones.
Domestic Lighting Accessories
Finishing Touches with Function and Flair
While choosing the right lighting is essential, the details that control it matter just as much. Premium accessories like light switches, dimmers, and motion sensors can enhance the functionality, efficiency, and overall aesthetic of your lighting setup. Whether you're creating a warm ambience in the living room or ensuring safe passage through hallways at night, high-quality accessories add a polished, purposeful layer to every room.
Light Switches – Subtle Statements of Style
Switches may seem small, but they contribute significantly to a room's look and feel. With ML Accessories' extensive range of light switches, you can choose from contemporary finishes like brushed chrome, matte black, or antique brass to complement your home’s interior design. Whether you prefer a sleek, minimalist look or something with classic character, the right switch can elevate your wall décor and give your space a premium finish.
Can light switches really enhance interior design?
Absolutely. Coordinating finishes between lighting fixtures, plug sockets and switches gives a consistent, high-end feel across rooms, particularly in kitchens, living rooms and hallways.
Dimmer Switches – Control Mood and Efficiency
Dimmer switches offer more than just mood lighting – they allow you to control brightness, extend lamp life, and reduce energy consumption. Whether you’re winding down in the evening or hosting friends for dinner, dimmable lighting gives you the flexibility to set the perfect tone. Our ML Accessories dimmer switches are compatible with a wide range of LED fittings, providing smooth dimming and a tactile finish that feels as good as it looks.
Why use dimmer switches at home?
Dimmers reduce glare, save energy and offer adaptable lighting for different times of day and tasks, making them ideal for bedrooms, living rooms and even bathrooms.
Sensors – Light When and Where You Need It
Motion sensors are a smart and practical addition to domestic spaces, especially in garages, utility rooms, and hallways. They help reduce energy waste by automatically switching lights on when someone enters a space, and off again when the space is unoccupied. For added peace of mind, motion-activated lighting also enhances night-time safety, helping you navigate staircases or corridors without fumbling for a switch. Choose from wall-mounted PIR sensors or integrated sensor fittings depending on your layout.
Where should I install sensor lighting in my home?
High-traffic or transitional areas like hallways, porches, and garages benefit most, helping light your way without manual control, especially in the dark.
How to Layer Lighting in the Home
Layered lighting is a design principle that ensures your home is both functional and atmospheric, using three key types of light in harmony:
- Ambient lighting is your main light source, such as ceiling pendants, downlights, or flush fittings. It provides overall brightness and comfort.
- Task lighting is used for specific activities like cooking, working, or grooming. Think under-cabinet lights in the kitchen, or the Sensio LED strip on mirrors and counters.
- Accent lighting adds drama, mood, and personality, such as picture lights, wall sconces, or strip lighting on shelves or plinths.
You can use this approach in any room. For example:
- In the kitchen, ambient ceiling lights, task lighting over counters, and LED accent strips in cabinets.
- In the bathroom, a central fitting for ambient light, vanity lighting for grooming, and strips under the bath or mirrors for soft backlighting.
- In the bedroom, a pendant or flush light for general use, bedside lamps for reading, and LED strips on headboards or wardrobes to create a calm atmosphere.
How can I use lighting layers effectively at home?
Start with your ambient lighting for overall brightness. Add task lighting in areas where you read, work, or cook. Then bring in accent lighting to enhance style and comfort. This layered approach makes your space more adaptable and inviting.
Smart Controls & Energy Efficiency
Many homeowners are turning to smart lighting for convenience and efficiency. The SpektroLED Evo and other similar smart fittings let you control brightness and scheduling from your phone or smart speaker. Use smart plugs to turn any electrical appliance into a smart product with automation and wireless control.
With energy prices on the up, there's never been a better time to convert to LED lighting if you haven't already. LEDs consume up to 90% less energy than conventional incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lighting. Offering dimmable options, you can drive energy savings even further, as well as create the desired ambience in your home.
- Set wake-up lighting routines in bedrooms.
- Schedule off-times in utility spaces to save energy.
- Pair with dimmable Sensio strips via compatible drivers or smart sockets for flexible layering.
- Ultra-efficient LED light bulbs use up to 70% less energy than standard LEDs, lasting over 50,000 hours. This is a fit-and-forget energy-saving solution.
Final Thoughts: The Right Light for Every Room
Choosing the right light for your home doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by thinking about the function of each room, the atmosphere you want to create, and the fittings that meet your needs, both visually and practically.
Products like the Sensio LED Strip and SpektroLED Evo Smart Downlight are versatile enough to be used across multiple rooms, helping to tie your lighting scheme together.
Ready to light up your home?
Explore our full Room-by-Room Lighting Guide or speak to our team for expert advice.