Glow Mode On: A Room-to-room Lighting Guide

In this guide, we explore how light shapes each room of the home, offering inspiration to create environments that feel both practical and beautifully atmospheric. We’ll look at lighting colours as well as lighting styles, showing how the right choices can transform your space from day to night.

 From the energising clarity of natural daylight to the warmth of lamps, the mood-making glow of wall sconces, and the all-round brightness of ceiling lights, the right mix ensures your spaces feel both functional and inviting.

The tone you choose can completely shift how a room feels – from the crisp focus of cool white to the cosy glow of warm white, the fresh energy of daylight, or the playful flexibility of colour-changing options. Choosing the right glow means your lighting works with your lifestyle, not just your space.

Now that you know the main lighting styles and colours, it’s time to put them to use. Read below to see how to style lighting in different rooms of your home, creating spaces that feel both practical and beautifully atmospheric.

5Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary. Soft morning light filtered through sheer curtains creates a gentle start to the day, while bedside lamps and sconces bring intimacy as evening arrives. With dimmers, the mood shifts easily from uplifting mornings to restful nights.

In a workspace, clarity is everything. Natural light at a desk near the window sharpens focus, and when daylight fades, task lighting ensures precision. Adjustable lamps provide flexibility where it is needed, while overhead light maintains balance across the room.

A living room changes with the hours: bright and open during the day, cocooned and conversational by night. Window treatments allow you to control the flow of sunlight, while a combination of overhead lights, floor lamps and table lamps creates depth after dark. Accent lighting highlights artwork or architectural detail, adding character and warmth.

In the dining room, light sets the mood. Daytime meals are best enjoyed in natural brightness, while evenings call for atmosphere. A pendant or chandelier gathers people together, dimmed low for drama or heightened for celebration. Candlelight finishes the scene with softness and charm.

The kitchen needs to balance precision with warmth. Sunlight across benches makes preparation effortless, while targeted task lighting ensures accuracy at night. Pendants above an island invite conversation and create a natural hub, making the kitchen as sociable as it is practical.

Bathrooms often rely on clever design to make the most of natural light. Mirrors extend brightness, wall lights soften shadows, and focused illumination supports morning routines. In the evening, a softer touch with sconces or pendants brings a spa-like sense of calm

The entryway sets the tone. Daylight through a window, frosted panel, or glass front door instantly lifts the space, while a pendant or wall light creates warmth after dark. Accent lighting on art or architectural detail makes it feel deliberate rather than transitional.

Outdoors, natural light reigns, but well-placed fixtures allow the space to be enjoyed long after sunset. Pathway lights provide safety, lanterns and sconces encourage time at the table, and string or solar lights add a whimsical touch that complements the night sky

When layered with care, lighting is less about the fixtures themselves and more about the feeling they create. A little thought goes a long way – mix ceiling, wall and lamp light for flexibility, match colours and styles to each room’s purpose, and use warm, cool or daylight tones to set the mood. Add personality with fun bulbs or statement pieces, and your home gains a rhythm that adapts beautifully to every moment.

Ready to see your home in a new light? Explore our lighting collection in-store, or discover more inspiration in the Bradfords Journal.