How To Choose Lighting for New Build Homes
If you’ve just moved into a new build home, lighting is one of the most important things in setting the right atmosphere in your home. Whether you want to lean into the modern aesthetic of your new build with minimalist, contemporary lighting or add character to your space with more traditional or vintage pieces, you’ll need to choose the right lighting for the ceiling height and size of the rooms.
From creating a relaxing ambience in the living room to layering lighting in the bedroom, follow our guide as we explore the best lighting options for new build homes.
Consider ceiling height in your new build
One of the first things to consider when choosing lighting is the ceiling height of your home, as this can impact the type of fixtures you can have.
Most new builds in the UK have a ceiling height of around 2.3m
If your home has lower ceilings, choosing flush lights is best to avoid the space feeling too cramped or unbalanced. In contrast, taller ceilings give you more flexibility for statement fixtures.
The trick is to find the right balance between style and practicality based on your ceiling height.
How to choose the right size fixture for your room
Choosing the right size lighting fixture is just as important as picking a style. To calculate the size of light you need, follow these steps:
- Measure the room’s width and length in feet.
- Add these two numbers together.
- The sum equals the ideal diameter of a light fixture in inches.
For example, if your living room is 10 feet by 12 feet, a 22-inch-wide light fixture would be an ideal fit. This calculation helps ensure that your light fixture is proportionate to the space and doesn’t overwhelm or under-light the room.
How low should my ceiling light be?
When choosing your ceiling lights, ensure they’re hung at the right height so you can walk comfortably underneath and the lights can look their best.
Here are some general guidelines:
Hallways or living rooms: Ensure at least 7 feet (about 2.1m) of head clearance to prevent bumping into fixtures.
Kitchen or dining rooms: Aim for a drop of about 30-36 inches from the tabletop for lights over tables.
Bedrooms: If installing a light fixture above the bed, ensure it’s high enough so you don’t accidentally knock it into it when sitting up.
These clearances help ensure that your lighting is functional and safe in every part of your home. For more detailed information, follow our guide on how to hang your lights at the perfect height.
New build lighting ideas by room
Hallways
Hallways are often narrow with limited natural light, so flush lights that sit close to the ceiling are ideal for maximising brightness without overwhelming the space.
Living Rooms
Consider semi-flush lights that drop slightly from the ceiling but don’t hang too low. These light fixtures provide enough ambient light while maintaining a comfortable ambience.
Bedrooms
Relaxation is key in the bedroom. Semi-flush or pendant lights can provide soft, ambient lighting. For lower ceilings, just choose fixtures that hang no lower than 7 feet from the floor. A popular alternative to bedside lamps is using single pendant lights on either side of each bed; this creates a modern look but also frees space up on your bedside table for accessories, alarm clocks and mobile phones.
Kitchens
Kitchens need task lighting for cooking and preparing food. Spotlights, adjustable pendants, and track lights are ideal because they provide targeted lighting for work areas while still being stylish. You can also add adecorative light fixture over kitchen islands, breakfast bars or dining tables to add a decorative feature to the space, look for a product that is dimmable so you can really set the scene when having friends and family over for dinner.
Bathrooms
Spotlights and wall lights work best in bathrooms with low ceilings. Ensure the lighting is bright enough for any grooming tasks. Wall lights or uplights can also be great for bathrooms to create a spa-like atmosphere. Always consider colour temperatures when selecting bathroom lighting, as you will need a practical light for grooming/makeup application.
Adding character with lighting in new builds
Lighting can be a great way to add character to your new build, whether a focal point in the hallway or layered lighting for living room cosiness.
Statement lighting: Bold pendant lights can make a great focal point. Use traditional styles to add flair in the entranceway or over kitchen islands for statement lighting.
Layered lighting: Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting to add depth and warmth to any room. The best way to do this is by mixing table lamps, floor lamps and wall lights to create different layers of lighting.
Dimmable lighting: Using dimmer switches means you can control the brightness and mood of a room. These are particularly useful for living rooms and bedrooms where you need different levels of lights throughout the day. Most lights can be dimmed when using a dimmable light bulb and compatible dimmer.
Highlight features: Use accent lighting to showcase features like picture lights to highlight artwork, under-cabinet lighting or wall sconces on feature walls.
Shop interior lighting from Cp Lighting
By choosing lighting based on ceiling height, room dimensions and the purpose of each room, you can create the perfect ambience in your new build home.
From flush lights in hallways to layered lighting, the right fixtures can transform your home into a stylish, functional, and comfortable space.
Whether you prefer modern and contemporary or traditional and vintage, shop our full selection of interior lighting to find the perfect fixtures for your home.