21st Century Lighting Ideas for Georgian and Victorian Homes
Find out how to plan the lighting scheme of a period property with these 10 decorative and practical pointers
Melanie Shaw
October 18, 2015
Houzz Contributor. Partner and Design Director at Brilliant Lighting.
At the time of Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, electric lighting was still in its infancy. Throughout the previous century, lighting came largely in the form of candles, oil and gas, and so the Georgian and Victorian homes that dominate our city skylines were not built with electricity in mind.
If you own one of these properties today, you have to decide how far to wander from a traditional look when it comes to installing lights in your home. However much we love period style, not many of us are going to want to go back to using candles. Read on for both traditional and contemporary options on lighting a period home.
If you own one of these properties today, you have to decide how far to wander from a traditional look when it comes to installing lights in your home. However much we love period style, not many of us are going to want to go back to using candles. Read on for both traditional and contemporary options on lighting a period home.
Don’t rule out downlighters
Adding functional contemporary downlighters to a traditional room – shown here discreetly set into the ceiling – gives the space added flexibility, and is a great way to draw attention to features (in this case, artwork). Take care to match the quality and colour across your different lighting fittings, as a cool LED downlighter can look a little harsh next to a warmer chandelier.
Discover a beginner’s guide to LED lighting
Adding functional contemporary downlighters to a traditional room – shown here discreetly set into the ceiling – gives the space added flexibility, and is a great way to draw attention to features (in this case, artwork). Take care to match the quality and colour across your different lighting fittings, as a cool LED downlighter can look a little harsh next to a warmer chandelier.
Discover a beginner’s guide to LED lighting
Consider the effect
Different rooms have very different functions and will certainly have diverse lighting requirements. Therefore, sticking to one form of lighting throughout might be rather limiting. So have fun. Make sure your lighting supports how you want the space to look and feel, plus how you want to use it. Don’t be afraid to use tools that our Victorian ancestors did not have.
In this room, central pendants are combined with a range of lamps to create a flexible and social space. Make sure lights are dimmable, however, particularly a central pendant, so you can change the mood.
Check out 10 ways to style a period fireplace
Different rooms have very different functions and will certainly have diverse lighting requirements. Therefore, sticking to one form of lighting throughout might be rather limiting. So have fun. Make sure your lighting supports how you want the space to look and feel, plus how you want to use it. Don’t be afraid to use tools that our Victorian ancestors did not have.
In this room, central pendants are combined with a range of lamps to create a flexible and social space. Make sure lights are dimmable, however, particularly a central pendant, so you can change the mood.
Check out 10 ways to style a period fireplace
Zone multi-functional spaces
It’s now quite common to see open-plan living spaces in period properties, with many of us knocking through dividing walls or extending out to the back or sides.
Lighting is a great way to create different zones in these new multi-purpose spaces. Task lighting in a kitchen keeps it highly functional, while pendant lighting over a dining area gives an even wash of light for meal times. And occasional lighting in a living area ensures it’s calmer compared to the rest of the room, for relaxing in after supper.
It’s now quite common to see open-plan living spaces in period properties, with many of us knocking through dividing walls or extending out to the back or sides.
Lighting is a great way to create different zones in these new multi-purpose spaces. Task lighting in a kitchen keeps it highly functional, while pendant lighting over a dining area gives an even wash of light for meal times. And occasional lighting in a living area ensures it’s calmer compared to the rest of the room, for relaxing in after supper.
Go against the grain
Just because there’s a ceiling rose in your room, it doesn’t mean you have to use it for lighting. If you feel a central chandelier or pendant light wouldn’t work with your scheme, ignore the plasterwork and keep it as an interesting feature, installing lights elsewhere.
Just because there’s a ceiling rose in your room, it doesn’t mean you have to use it for lighting. If you feel a central chandelier or pendant light wouldn’t work with your scheme, ignore the plasterwork and keep it as an interesting feature, installing lights elsewhere.
Highlight furniture
A feature of many period properties is original, built-in furniture, such as cupboards in alcoves. In this room, lights mounted on the period bookshelves enhance and transform them into a beautiful feature, where they might otherwise have looked rather imposing.
Large pieces of furniture can be a useful fixing point for lights, particularly in old houses where it may be difficult to attach fittings to the ceiling or walls. The earlier you plan what furniture is going in to a room the more you can integrate it into your lighting design.
A feature of many period properties is original, built-in furniture, such as cupboards in alcoves. In this room, lights mounted on the period bookshelves enhance and transform them into a beautiful feature, where they might otherwise have looked rather imposing.
Large pieces of furniture can be a useful fixing point for lights, particularly in old houses where it may be difficult to attach fittings to the ceiling or walls. The earlier you plan what furniture is going in to a room the more you can integrate it into your lighting design.
Try an uplighter
If you want to create an interesting shadow effect using lighting, consider uplighters. In this hallway, a table lamp sprinkles magic upwards throughout the space, casting beautiful shadows on the walls and ceiling. It’s a modern technique that should be used with care in period properties but, done well, can have beautiful results.
If you want to create an interesting shadow effect using lighting, consider uplighters. In this hallway, a table lamp sprinkles magic upwards throughout the space, casting beautiful shadows on the walls and ceiling. It’s a modern technique that should be used with care in period properties but, done well, can have beautiful results.
Keep an open mind
From an aesthetic point of view, there’s no right way to light a period home, so let go of any preconceptions you may have. While there are certain technical things you can get right or wrong, you don’t have to be confined to the way lighting was incorporated in the past.
Find out how to mix contemporary and period features
From an aesthetic point of view, there’s no right way to light a period home, so let go of any preconceptions you may have. While there are certain technical things you can get right or wrong, you don’t have to be confined to the way lighting was incorporated in the past.
Find out how to mix contemporary and period features
Integrate with traditional features
If you live in a period property but prefer the ultra-modern, then combining your lighting into period features is a great way to give them a contemporary spin.
The main source of light in this room is set into the picture rail and cornicing, using a traditional element of architectural detailing as the fixing point for lighting in an otherwise modern space.
If you live in a period property but prefer the ultra-modern, then combining your lighting into period features is a great way to give them a contemporary spin.
The main source of light in this room is set into the picture rail and cornicing, using a traditional element of architectural detailing as the fixing point for lighting in an otherwise modern space.
Don’t forget the exterior
Period properties are often equally as beautiful outside as they are inside, so don’t neglect the exterior of your home when it comes to lighting.
Here, traditional lanterns frame the front door, providing a cosy welcome, while modern spike spots set under the topiary light up the stone bay windows. The whole scheme is warm and balanced, and perfectly in keeping with the architecture.
Period properties are often equally as beautiful outside as they are inside, so don’t neglect the exterior of your home when it comes to lighting.
Here, traditional lanterns frame the front door, providing a cosy welcome, while modern spike spots set under the topiary light up the stone bay windows. The whole scheme is warm and balanced, and perfectly in keeping with the architecture.
Illuminate with candles
For all the benefits of modern technology and design, sometimes good old-fashioned candlelight is all you need to do the trick. Atmospheric and relaxing, a series of flickering flames will enhance the beauty and features of your period home.
TELL US…
Do you live in a period property? How do you like to light it? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
For all the benefits of modern technology and design, sometimes good old-fashioned candlelight is all you need to do the trick. Atmospheric and relaxing, a series of flickering flames will enhance the beauty and features of your period home.
TELL US…
Do you live in a period property? How do you like to light it? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
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