A Guide to Lighting with Danielle McEwan
How to Choose Lighting for Every Room
Lighting has always been one of the most important elements of a room for me. It has the ability to completely shift the way we experience a space - revealing materiality, creating depth and shadow, and bringing warmth to the objects we choose to live with. Thoughtfully chosen lighting is also one of the simplest ways to introduce true character and personality into a home.
I rarely think about a light in isolation. I’m interested in how it relates to everything around it: the architecture, the furniture, the materials and, importantly, the other sources of light within the room. A pendant might anchor a space, while a lamp draws you toward a quiet corner or a wall light catches the raw texture of a surface.
From understanding scale and placement to layering different light sources, this guide brings together the principles I return to when considering lighting within a space.
Why Lighting Matters
I think of lighting as part of the architecture of a room rather than something added at the end. Where light falls dictates what you notice. It can pull forward the texture of a hand-knotted rug, reveal the subtle grain in timber, or throw an evocative shape or colour that gives the room an entirely different presence after dark. One of the most common missteps is trying to illuminate every corner equally. A room doesn’t need to be uniformly bright to feel well lit. I would much rather create distinct pools of light, some functional, some softer and let the shadows between them create depth and atmosphere. That nuance is often what makes a space feel magnetic without you immediately knowing why.
Understanding the Different Types of Lighting
There are technically four main types of lighting - ambient, task, accent and decorative, but I don’t tend to view them as rigid boxes when putting a room together.
Instead, I ask: What needs to be illuminated? Where will people actually gather? Where can I create a moment of visual interest?
Ambient lighting provides the foundational light a room needs to function. This typically flows from a pendant, chandelier or high-level source.
Task lighting belongs where activity happens- beside an armchair for reading, over a kitchen worktop or at a desk.
Accent lighting draws the eye to artwork, objects, architectural features or textured surfaces.
Decorative lighting includes fittings that are sculptural objects in their own right. I always lean toward pieces that contribute to the room even when switched off -through scale, material, silhouette, or the subtle tension they create with surrounding furniture.
Choosing the Right Lighting
Before selecting a fitting, I always look at what else is happening in the room.
If a space already features strong, architectural forms, I might choose a quieter light. If the room feels linear or rigid, a soft, handmade shade can instantly loosen the energy. If everything feels brand new, a vintage light brings instant soul, history, and patina.
Scale is equally critical. People often err on the side of going too small, particularly with pendants. A generous fitting creates a true focal point and grounds the furniture beneath it. Remember that scale and visual weight are different - a large fixture in a lightweight or sheer material can feel wonderfully expansive without overwhelming a room.
I also avoid sourcing every light at once. A space becomes far more compelling when lighting feels collected over time rather than purchased as a matching suite.
Lighting Measurements + Placement Guide
While proportion is key, these measurements serve as intuitive starting points. I always adjust them based on the scale of the fixture, the furniture, and the volume of the architecture.
Pendant Lighting
- Above a dining table: Aim for 75–90cm between the tabletop and the base of the pendant. A larger fitting may need to sit slightly higher to breathe.
- Above a kitchen island: Set the base 75–90cm above the benchtop, allowing the light to anchor the island without obstructing sightlines across the room.
- Multiple pendants: Space fittings roughly 60–75cm apart for a natural rhythm. I prefer centering the overall grouping over the table or island rather than the room as a whole.
- Proportion: Look at the pendant in relation to the furniture below it. A generous dining table can carry a much larger, bolder fitting than formulas often suggest.
Wall Lighting
Wall lights bring light down from the ceiling, adding a rich, mid-level layer of atmosphere.
- General placement: Position around 1.5–1.7m from the floor, adjusting for ceiling height and surrounding furniture.
- Beside a bed: Mount roughly 60–70cm above the mattress, or near shoulder height when sitting upright.
- Hallways: Space sconces 1.8–2.4m apart along a corridor to create a warm, rhythmic procession of light.
- Beside a mirror: Placing sconces at eye level on either side of a bathroom mirror produces even illumination without harsh downward shadows.
Table Lighting
Table lamps bring unmatched intimacy by placing light right at eye level.
- Beside a sofa or armchair: Position the lamp so the bottom of the shade sits near eye level when seated. For standard side tables, a lamp around 58–66cm tall works beautifully.
- On a console: Consoles invite taller, more dramatic silhouettes. A lamp around 60–70cm high brings elegant height alongside artwork and collected objects.
Floor Lighting
Floor lamps effortlessly introduce height, ambient glow, and sculptural character without altering a room's wiring.
- Beside seating: Place the lamp slightly behind or beside the shoulder so light falls where needed without glare.
- Illuminating edges: Placing a floor lamp in a quiet corner draws the eye outward, expanding the perceived depth of the space at night.
Ceiling Height & Architecture
- Standard ceilings (~2.4–2.7m): Choose fittings with enough clearance beneath them to avoid feeling compressed against the ceiling plane.
- High ceilings (2.7m+): A longer suspension drop brings overhead lighting back down to a comfortable, human scale.
Material + Light
Materiality is perhaps what I respond to most instinctively. It determines not just what a fixture looks like by day, but how the light feels when filtered through it at night.
Silk radiates a soft, luminous glow.
Woven fibres filter light, casting tactile patterns and romantic shadows.
Murano glass holds rich colour while unlit, then transforms into something ethereal when illuminated.
Ceramic offers an earthy, grounded feel that accentuates surface texture as light grazes across it.
Metal can either absorb light into a subtle patina or bounce crisp reflections back into the space.
This relationship with material was central to creating our Ming Lighting Collection. We focused not just on the silhouette, but on what occurred when light passed through silk - how the weave revealed itself, how the colour shifted, and how the surrounding atmosphere softened.
Always evaluate a light fixture in both states: what presence does it bring to the room during the day, and how does it transform the atmosphere at night?
Mixing Vintage + Contemporary Lighting
I have never been drawn to rooms where every piece comes from the same era or source.
Vintage lighting is one of my favorite tools to interrupt a modern space. It introduces history, patina, and unpredictable shapes. Conversely, a contemporary handmade light brings crisp modern energy when paired with vintage furniture.
I don't look for pieces that match. I look for harmony - a shared material, a complementary proportion, or a subtle softness. Sometimes, the magic exists purely in the contrast. The goal is a space that feels curated and intentional, never coordinated.
Layering Lighting Throughout Your Home
While overhead lighting serves a clear purpose, relying solely on a single ceiling fitting can make a living space or bedroom feel flat. Bringing light down to eye level through table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces shifts the scale of the room, making it instantly more inviting.
At night, allow some areas to remain in soft shadow. Depth relies on contrast.
Living Room: Layer several distinct sources rather than relying on an overhead grid. Pair ambient ceiling lighting with floor and table lamps placed at seating height. A lamp beside an armchair creates an inviting reading nook, while a light on an opposing sideboard draws the eye through the room.
Dining Room: A pendant above a dining table anchors the gathering space. Don't be afraid of generous scale over a large table. Installing a dimmer is essential, allowing you to transition from functional brightness to ambient evening warmth alongside soft candlelight.
Kitchen: Work surfaces demand clear task lighting, but islands present a perfect opportunity for warm, tactile pendants. I also love placing a small, low-wattage table lamp on a kitchen counter or open shelf; once prep is complete and main lights are off, that gentle glow allows the kitchen to soften into the surrounding living area.
Bedroom: Bedroom lighting should wind down alongside you. Bedside lamps or sconces should offer sufficient light for reading without flooding the room. Keep overhead lights for practical moments, relying on warm, low-level lamps for evening routines.
Entry: The entryway sets the tone for the entire home. Depending on the architecture, frame this space with a statement pendant, sculptural wall lights, or a warm lamp on a console. Prioritise a sense of arrival and gentle warmth over bright illumination.
Choosing the Right Light Bulbs
A light fixture may be the object you fall in love with, but the bulb dictates the actual mood.
• 2700K (Warm White): My preference for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining spaces. It flatters skin tones and brings out the richness of natural materials without turning overly yellow.
• 3000K (Soft Clear White): Slightly crisp while remaining warm. Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and task-focused areas.
• 4000K+ (Cool White): Produces a clinical, functional light best reserved for workspaces or utility areas.
Dimming: Whenever possible, choose dimmable fixtures and bulbs. The ability to dial back brightness as the sun sets is the simplest way to take a space from functional by day to deeply atmospheric by night.
A Final Thought
While structural guidelines like scale, placement, and color temperature provide a helpful framework, a beautifully lit room never comes from following a rigid formula.
The most soulful spaces always return to the mix: varied heights, a balance of eras, tactile materials, and pieces gathered over time. Embrace subtle shadows, appreciate how a fixture looks when turned off, and leave room for the unexpected.
Lighting should ultimately transform how you view the objects around you and how you feel within the space.
Discover our lighting collection, bringing together Tigmi designs, handmade pieces, iconic lighting and one-of-a-kind vintage finds.
Explore our full Lighting Collection
Pendant Lighting
Table Lighting
Floor Lighting
Wall Lighting
Vintage Lighting
FAQ
1. How do I choose the right size pendant light?
Consider the scale of the room, the furniture below and whether the pendant will be used alone or as part of a group. Over a dining table or kitchen island, the pendant should feel proportionate to the surface beneath it while leaving enough space around the fitting for visual balance.
2. How high should a pendant hang above a dining table?
As a general guide, pendant lights should hang around 75–90cm above a dining table. This keeps the light connected to the table without obstructing sightlines. For larger pendants or higher ceilings, the height can be adjusted to suit the scale of the room.
3. Where should wall lights be positioned?
Wall lights are generally positioned around eye level, approximately 150–170cm from the floor, although the ideal height will depend on the fitting and its purpose. Beside a bed, mirror or artwork, use the surrounding furniture or object as the reference point rather than relying on a fixed measurement.
4. Can you mix different lighting styles in one room?
Yes. Mixing vintage, contemporary and handmade lighting can create a more layered and individual interior. Rather than matching every fitting, look for a common thread through material, proportion, colour or form, and consider how each light contributes to the room as a whole.
5. What colour temperature is best for home lighting?
For most living spaces, warm white light around 2700K creates a softer, more ambient feel. Around 3000K provides a slightly clearer warm light that can work well in kitchens and task areas, while cooler temperatures of 4000K and above are generally more functional in appearance.
6. What should I consider when buying vintage lighting?
Look at the condition, materials, scale and provenance of the piece, as well as how it will work within your space. Vintage lighting should also be checked for electrical safety. Tigmi vintage lighting is tagged and tested to comply with AS/NZS 3760.
7. Does Tigmi lighting require an electrician for installation?
Hardwired lighting, including pendants, wall lights and ceiling fixtures, should be installed by a licensed electrician in accordance with Australian electrical requirements. Installation requirements can vary by product, so check the individual product details before purchasing.