The way in which a property is lit can completely transform the way that it looks. However, lighting should not just be about what is aesthetically beautiful - people should also consider what is the appropriate lighting solution based on the age and period style of their home.
All too often, how a property is illuminated is considered by many to have nothing more to do with the interior design than merely what is practical for the space. However, this could not be further from the truth.
If a property is modern and minimalist with its landscape design comprising defined edges and harsh contours, then more traditional fittings would stick out like a sore thumb. A more appropriate solution would be to install some more contemporary chrome ceiling lights or perhaps some strategically angled spots.
On the other hand, an older property - which may have been lit by candles and lamps in the past - would look ridiculous were it to be lit with glaring downlighters. A chandelier or a more traditional semi-flush ceiling light fitting would be far more suitable.
Not only can lighting older properties prove challenging enough on its own, but the fact that different areas of the house may have been built at different times and in different styles can make the task seem an even greater one.
As Carla Passino, a property market expert and former acting property editor of Country Life, reported for CountryLife.co.uk: "Lighting older country houses can prove tricky because rooms have often been added in different periods and their modern-day function isn't necessarily the one they were originally built for, so each needs special treatment."
Nevertheless, homeowners should not be put off by the prospect of lighting their house in the right way. With the market saturated with so many different options, such a wealth of choice means that - with just a touch of careful research - individuals can be guaranteed to find a solution which works for the age and style of their property.
