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Original poster

Big light people? Or lamp people?

151 replies

greyshelving · 23/12/2023 10:14

Had a few bizarre discussions on this subject recently and thought I'd ask the peoples of Mumsnet.

Are you a 'big light' person or a lamps person?

For context, one of the neighbours opposite has a big bay window so it's possible to easily see the TV on the wall and the big overhead light which is always on at night.

Me, I can't seem to relax if the 'big light' is on and prefer soft, subdued light (lamps etc). In our house 'the big light' only goes on if you've lost an earring! Grin

One of my friends swears it's a male/female thing and in her view, women like atmospheric lighting and men just see lighting as a functional way to see and do things. I don't think you can reduce it to such stereotypes. To me, it's basically just a personal preference.

So, big light or lamps? Which are you?

OP posts:
Borris · 23/12/2023 10:16

I prefer the big light. Can’t stand dingy atmospheric lighting when I can’t see anything. In think I’ll be in the minority though.

StBrides · 23/12/2023 10:17

Lamp people

pingusslappyfeet · 23/12/2023 10:17

DH loooooves coming in to an atmospherically lit room, all warm lamps and fairy lights and cosy - and switching the big light on!! Thought it was just him 😂

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Home improvement
mrsmacmc · 23/12/2023 10:17

Lamp people all the way!

RainSteppes · 23/12/2023 10:18

Lamps all the way. Too dim? More lamps! Not the harsh glare of the overhead light. DH agrees.

gano · 23/12/2023 10:18

Lamp person. The big light only goes on for tasks or finding things.

Grumpynan · 23/12/2023 10:18

I like the side lights, the room is well lit but not too bright. I love this time of year when we watch a film using just the Christmas lights and the odd candle

HavfrueDenizKisi · 23/12/2023 10:18

Absolutely lamp people all the way. Big light is only on of you specifically need extra light for a small amount of time. I really dislike big bright ceiling lights on all the time. So harsh.

Caledoniablue · 23/12/2023 10:20

I don't even know why we put up the 'big lights' in our house. I never use them unless I need to find something that's rolled under a sofa or bed.

I adore cosy dimly lit rooms with lamps especially at Christmas time with the twinkly lights. Then as per pp dh comes along and ruins it by turning on the harsh big lights Grin

tawitttawoo · 23/12/2023 10:20

Borris · 23/12/2023 10:16

I prefer the big light. Can’t stand dingy atmospheric lighting when I can’t see anything. In think I’ll be in the minority though.

In exactly the same. If I'm at home it's big lights on at night all the time, unless I'm not in the same room or if the room is just adjoining, but I'm not actually doing something in it.

I hate dim lighting unless I'm at a restaurant.

Everyone I know that prefers dim lighting, read in low light, or watch TV & films in low light all have awful sight and need glasses. My husband and eldest included.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 23/12/2023 10:21

I cannot stand the big light on!
We watch TV with no light and eat with lamps

Caspianberg · 23/12/2023 10:21

Lamps. Hate overhead lights, and actually we have several rooms that don’t even have overhead lights (old house).

Just added a hue strip light under toddler bed and it’s a revelation as can put it on dim to settle him or brighter for reading but it’s still not a horrid in your face glare. Nice warm white.

Ohchristmastree23 · 23/12/2023 10:22

I despise our big light! Rarely gets used. Lamps all the way, or even better, candles!

AlwaysForksAndMarbles · 23/12/2023 10:23

Never the big light, unless looking for a lost item. Our lamps all have at least 60W equivalent bulbs and we have plenty of them, so it’s never dim in our rooms. Harsh overhead lighting is really horrible, and contributes to my migraines.

Fairymother · 23/12/2023 10:25

I dont own any lamps only big lights!

RabbitsRock · 23/12/2023 10:26

Definitely lamps! When we used to go to my late MIL’s, she only ever had the “ main” light on & it was so unrelaxing. DH will sometimes sit with the big light on & I soon change that!

countrygirl99 · 23/12/2023 10:27

My parents were lamp people and it was never light enough for me to read so I ended up spending all my time in my room - I was never very interested in watching tv. Probably one of the reasons I never had close relationship with my mum.

IrritableVowel · 23/12/2023 10:28

Big Light only goes on when FIL is here. We come home to big light and 10000 decibel tv and often a radio.

I adore the man, he is possibly the nicest person on this earth, but his stays are a sensory overload

MandyMotherOfBrian · 23/12/2023 10:28

We’re not just lamp people, we’re fairy light people. The BIG light only goes on when someone dropped something small on the floor and we can’t find it

Businessflake · 23/12/2023 10:29

I like to see what I’m doing. So it depends what I’m doing. Just sitting watching tv? Lamps are fine. Doing a crossword? Big lamp.

PaperSky · 23/12/2023 10:29

I hate the big light on, I ended up getting smart bulbs as DP always turns on the big light, so now they are set as warmer and more dimmed, rather than the cold bright spotlights we had previously. Still prefer just the lamps, but it’s not as bad now

ActuallyChristmas · 23/12/2023 10:29

Hereabouts, the DH favours lighting to the max and I’m more about subtle. The bathroom is the one I find perplexing. We have 3 lighting options - bright spotlights, subtle spotlights and the mirror lights. This one is a small space with a big window. I get why there needs to be light for shaving but not why all 3 sets need to be on in the morning or why the mirror (blindingly bright) and the bright spotlights (bright and Armageddon levels with the mirror) need to be on together for just going to the loo. And left on afterwards. 😂

RaininSummer · 23/12/2023 10:29

I am a lamp person if relaxing with tv, book, craft etc but partner happily sits there with bright main light on and curtains open which drives me mad.

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 23/12/2023 10:30

Depends on the room. We don't have lamps in our dining room for example. Bedroom is definitely lamp, living room is probably a mix depending on what we're doing.

I don't think I've ever seen the big light on in my parents' living room. They are definitely lamp people.

TheShellBeach · 23/12/2023 10:31

The big light is only useful if the cat has yacked up a hairball on the carpet.