Do all light fixtures in the house need to match?

Do all light fixtures in the house need to match?

Obviously if you’ve spare cash or enough disposable income left to hire an interior designer, they’ll probably be able to answer this question about interior lights matching, really quickly. However, getting someone into your home to design your rooms is not a realistic option for most people. So, what can you do? Here are some pointers and advice about matching lighting fixtures in your home. It’ll be a lot cheaper reading this blog than actually consulting with an interior designer!

 

There are different types of lighting including mood lighting, task lighting, decorative lighting, and functional lighting.

Everyone’s home is unique

You cannot compare your home with another’s. Take the kitchen for example; some homes have larger kitchens, in fact size is a matter of taste. Your kitchen might be large enough for what you need it for, ultimately the lighting reflects this.

Your kitchen might be large enough for what you need it for, ultimately the lighting reflects this.Your kitchen might be large enough for what you need it for, ultimately the lighting reflects this.

Take for example, a kitchen with a long counter-top surface or a kitchen with a breakfast bar or island. These will require extra lighting. There are different types of lighting including mood lighting, task lighting, decorative lighting, and functional lighting. This means that the lighting in most kitchens doesn’t always match. You will have recessed lights for the cooking areas and perhaps spotlights for the island. If you have a kitchen diner then you may also need pendant lights for the table area.

The point is – lighting differs depending on its role.

Lighting should always coordinate, never match

It’s no coincidence that the dictionary definition of ‘bored’ includes ‘dullness’, and ‘tedious repetition’. It isn’t surprising that a home that finds itself repeating too much of the same décor style throughout, and the same lighting style produces repetition and sameness.

There is no rule to say you can’t have the same lights in every room.There is no rule to say you can’t have the same lights in every room.

However, there is no rule to say you can’t have the same lights, this is what some people like. But that doesn’t mean that every room in the house should have the same set of pendant lights, or even matching your table lamps to your pendant fixtures. The key thing is ‘subtlety’.

Choose similar styles but not the same.

Lighting fixtures don’t need to be exact copies. Keep in mind what you want a light to perform, what its function is.

You don’t want a large floor lamp in a small room or a large pendant light over a dining table, they might obscure the view. Consider things like glass pendant lights for smaller kitchens as these are transparent so make a room feel larger.

An entrance or hallway normally sets a tone for the rest of your home’s design

wall light sconcewall light sconce

Start with having a look at your hallway or entrance

An entrance or hallway normally sets a tone for the rest of your home’s design, especially if you have an open plan area. Depending on whether this space is wide enough and its style, traditional or modern, you can look at a selection of sconces as an alternative to pendants.

Remember you don’t need to match the lighting or the colour with the rest of the home! Each room can have a different theme and ultimately a very different light. In other words, you don’t need the exact same sconces in a hallway and lounge. Perhaps consider a different type of sconce but retain the same colour? You have options.

It’s about finding a balance, keeping things interesting but keeping in mind the function of the lights.

Here're a selection of various styles of lights to give you some food for thought!

Remember you don’t need to match the lighting or the colour with the rest of the home!Remember you don’t need to match the lighting or the colour with the rest of the home!