Due to the vast amount of glazing involved in the structure, designing the perfect lighting scheme for a conservatory is crucial. Throughout the summer the room will be a bright and light space, weather permitting, however, getting the lighting right makes it a space that can be used at any time of day, all year round. Conservatories are the sweet spot between indoor and outdoor living, but when the sun goes down you want to make sure you can make the most of that extra living space.
Despite being a room that is naturally filled with light during the day, it can be difficult to get the right balance for lighting. With that in mind, here are our top tips for planning the perfect lighting for a conservatory.
Create a focal point with pendant lights
For many, a conservatory is used as a separate dining space or kitchen, therefore a central statement light fitting might be a perfect choice. Pendant lights are the ideal choice as not only will they provide adequate lighting for everyday tasks, but they can also help set the ambience for an evening meal. It’s common to see homeowners choose an eye-catching pendant or multiple smaller pendants to hang over a kitchen island or dining table, creating a focal point in the room that complements the rest of the interior.
If the lighting is purely a functional requirement, a more minimal pendant will help provide adequate lighting without overpowering the room. These are often popular choices over islands that include a hob or sink as they illuminate the space but give you enough room to work under. Additionally, the apex of a conservatory is a great place to mount a pendant. The glazing of a conservatory presents obvious issues for installing wall lights, which is why pendants are such a popular choice.
Functional task lighting
Depending on the use of the conservatory, it may be necessary to think about task lighting – particularly if the space is to be used as a kitchen or for work. Functional task lighting is brighter than ambient lighting and ensures a space is very well lit with no overhanging shadows to ensure an activity can be undertaken efficiently and safely. For example, ambient lighting might be adequate for putting a supermarket delivery away but task lighting would be required to decorate a birthday cake or fillet a fish.
Use strip lights tactically
Due to the amount of glazing involved in the room, it can be more difficult to run electrics through the room, this is where foundation walls come in useful. Low level foundation walls are a practical solution for electrical outlets and power supplies for your lighting solutions. By installing strip lights around the outer edge of a conservatory it helps to frame the room within.
By adding uplighters around the bottom of the room it will help to reflect a warm glow up the wall to the ceiling above. Alternatively, downlights will help increase the level of lighting in the room, without the annoying reflections which can be an issue with so much glazing in the room.
Design a layered lighting scheme
When planning a conservatory lighting scheme you can’t just look at everything from the same level, you need to consider the different layers that are required. The obvious place to start is from the top, of course, a centrally placed fixture such as a pendant is important for lighting the whole room, but there are times when you need a more subtle light source. In these instances, a tall floor lamp might be the perfect solution, ideal for creating a cosy corner to hide away with a good book. Alternatively, a table lamp will provide a warm glow at a mid-level height for when watching television or relaxing in the evening.
Ultimately, a room’s lighting needs to be able to be flexible around the different ways your family will use the space. While pendants/ceiling lights are perfect for mealtimes, you don’t want bright lights shining down when winding down in the evening. On the other hand, if your conservatory is home to your kitchen, a couple of table lamps won’t be enough when preparing a meal. The more variety and options available to you lighting wise, the better.
Shine bright with stunning conservatory lighting
Designing the perfect lighting scheme for your conservatory can be a tough task, which is why we would always recommend working with an expert design team. An experienced designer will understand the importance of lighting in a conservatory, a space that can be awkward due to the level of glazing. Once you understand the types of lighting you will need in your conservatory the world is your oyster, it’s time to get creative and design a lighting scheme that elevates your interior.